We aim to advance the integration and joining of thermoplastics composites with an concerted effort of several PhDs and PDs contributing towards a new approach to fusion bonding, combining process and performance optimization by simulations of physical phenomena and cuncurrent experimental realization. This PhD vacancy will explore the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles to be used as susceptors in novel scalable fusion bonding technologies.

This position is part of the Luchtvaart in Transitie project where Dutch companies and knowledge institutions collaborate on the development of innovative production technologies for complex thermoplastic composite components and integrated structures. The aircraft becomes heavier due to the required applications for hydrogen and the use of (hybrid) electric propulsion systems. To compensate, lightweight materials, structures, and production technologies are needed to enable sustainable aviation.

This PhD project will be jointly supervised by Laura Rossi - Colloidal Engineering and Materials design (mycolloids.com) by Clemens Dransfeld - Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Group (tudelft.nl/ae/amt)

You have an excellent track record from your master studies in engineering, materials sciences, physics or chemistry. You are driven by scientific curiosity with attention to detail and you like to solve problems from the bottom up. You are able to  skillfully develop experimental methods and to combine them with numerical methods. Finally you enjoy working in a very interdisciplinary context and collaborate with researcher at university and industry level. Previous experience in colloid synthesis is preferred.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the TU Delft Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 1,5 jaar.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Department

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The Advanced Soft Matter (ASM) research group is focused on the development and characterisation of new, functional, soft molecular and polymer materials, as well as the design and synthesis of new functional molecules and polymers. Examples include dynamic gels and surfactants, self-healing materials and out-of -equilibrium systems, often formed by self-assembly or directed self-assembly of molecular building blocks. Materials of interest may range from bio-organic to opto-electronic, nanostructured materials.