Job Description

Electrical motors have more stringent demands in terms of efficiency compared to alternatives that rely on combustible fuels due to their reliance on stored energy in batteries. The efficiency of a motor depends on mechanical factors such as friction and cooling, and electrical factors related to the material that is used in the electrical components. This project focuses on losses due to the material that the core is made of, electrical steels. In order to reduce the amount of power lost during operation the components of the motor are made of stacked electrical steel laminates, which are produced at our industrial partner (Bosch Transmission Technology) by blanking. The cut sheets with this operation are vertically stacked which ultimately leads to reduced losses thanks to reduced eddy currents. However, blanking operation disturbs the microstructure of the steel in a way that the electromagnetic properties deteriorate at the cut edges.

The aim of this project is to understand the effects of plastic deformation and related microstructural changes, induced during cutting operation, on the electromagnetic properties of the steel. The microstructure of this type of steels will be modelled and the blanking operation and its effects on the microstructure will be analyzed by computer simulations. The change in electromagnetic properties will be simulated in the disturbed state and validated experimentally.

For this project, we are looking for a PhD candidate with relevant expertise. The candidate will report their research during bi-weekly meetings of our research group and quarterly meetings with the industrial partners. The candidate is encouraged to interact significantly with the industrial partner and present results at the international scientific conferences and publish them in academic literature. Furthermore, the researcher will be encouraged to tutor MSc students who do their final assignment on sub-projects pertaining to the current research project.

The PhD research will be performed in the chair of Nonlinear Solid Mechanics.

• You have obtained MSc. Degree in Mechanical/Material Engineering or a related discipline with excellent results and special interest in modelling of materials and production processes. Prior knowledge in Nonlinear Solid Mechanics, computational methods, material science and experimental methods is required.
• You have a proven background in finite element method, crystal plasticity and sheet metal forming.
• We encourage candidates with strong communication skills who like to present their work at conferences and (project) meetings.
• Proficiency in English is required, both spoken and written. You need to provide IELTS test results (minimum score 6.5), TOEFL-iBT (minimum score 90).

• A dynamic and international environment, combining the benefits of academic research with a topic of high industrial relevance;
• Excellent working conditions in an exciting scientific environment, and a green and lively campus;
• A fulltime 4 year PhD position;
• Excellent mentorship and facilities;
• A professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente;
• A starting salary of € 2.770 in the first year and a salary of € 3.539 in the fourth year gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• Minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment;
• Full status as an employee at the UT, including pension and health care benefits.