Are you inspired by sustainable materials and innovative structural design? Are you eager to work on a multidisciplinary project bringing material science and structural engineering together, enhancing bio-based composites to achieve a more sustainable built environment? Then you may be an excellent candidate for this PhD position.

The construction industry is confronted with a formidable challenge: reducing CO2 emissions. A promising avenue of research to tackle this issue is the utilization of bio-based fiber-reinforced polymer composites as an alternative to conventional construction materials. In particular, through the fabrication technique of filament winding, lattice composite structures can achieve high-performance, lightweight solutions that minimize material usage. This project aims to transcend the state-of-the-art by adopting a multidisciplinary approach that integrates material processing, architecture, and structural engineering.

In this position, you will research and develop a bio-based fiber composite structural system for architectural applications enhancing material processing parameters while characterizing its structural performance. The main challenges of this PhD position would include:

• Evaluate bio-based matrix systems for compatibility with flax fibers and optimize the process of filament winding to enhance material quality and consistency.
• Characterize the mechanical properties of the bio-based composite, and develop scalability strategies to transfer small-scale testing results to large-scale designs.
• Demonstrate the feasibility of bio-based composites in architectural applications through the design of a structural system with enhanced fabrication and structural properties.

The position is part of the TU/e EuroTech PhD Program where PhD candidates will enjoy a unique educational experience, jointly supervised by researchers from TU/e and one of the EuroTech University Alliance partners. The selected candidate will be based at TU/e, in the newly formed chair of Sustainable Structural Design of the Unit Structural Engineering and Design at the Department of the Built Environment. As a requirement of this program, the candidate should spend at least 6 months at the partner university EPFL, Switzerland, working and collaborating with the Laboratory for Processing of Advance Composites, under the supervision of Prof. Véronique Michaud, who will also be the second supervisor along the project.

A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in architecture or structural engineering.

• A strong interest in sustainable structural design, bio-based material systems, and circularity.
• Experience with fabrication of specimens and structural testing is required. Experience with digital fabrication and computational design is preferred.
• Prior knowledge of composites, natural fibers, and/or bio-based resins is advantageous.
• In-depth knowledge of parametric design (rhinoceros, grasshopper) and other relevant software programs (e.g., finite element method), as well as data management techniques.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Availability to spend a minimum of 6 months at EPFL, Switzerland.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,872 max. €3,670).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.