Vacancy: Assistant Professor in Structural Health Monitoring, Eindhoven University of Technology

Vacancy: Assistant Professor in Structural Health Monitoring 

Eindhoven University of Technology, Dept. of the Built Environment, Unit Structural Design

Introduction
The Department of the Built Environment invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor in the Chair of Structural Design (Steel Structures) within the unit Structural Design. The assistant professorship is a tenure track position that includes teaching, research, valorization and administrative duties.

Description
The unit Structural Design (SD) of the Department of the Built Environment is a leading research and educational group in the field of structural engineering in the built environment. The chair of Structural Design (Steel Structures) focuses on buildings, bridges and infrastructure and their components containing steel as the main structural material. The chair addresses education, design and research of steel structures. The research carried out is of a numerical, experimental or analytical nature. Experimental research is carried out in the well-equipped Structures Laboratory Eindhoven, TU/e. The chair has a substantial network at the national level (e.g. steel association Bouwen met Staal) and at the international level, (e.g. European Convention for Constructional Steelwork, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering) and co-operates with many universities. The chair works in the field of strength, stability and fatigue of steel structures and wants to strengthen its position in the field of structural health monitoring by this new position for an assistant professor. 

As an assistant professor, you will contribute to achieving the educational and research objectives of the chair of Structural Design (Steel Structures). You will participate actively in the teaching of courses and the supervision projects of MSc and PhD students. You will be involved in the writing of research proposals and the acquisition of external funds to strengthen current and new research initiatives in the chair. You will pursue strategic internal and external collaborations, and publish your research results in high-quality scientific journals. 

The assistant professor we are looking for will focus on Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). As many developed countries, the Netherlands can be characterized by a large number of intensively used existing buildings and infrastructures, in comparison to the new construction volume. Asset management is thus rapidly becoming an important, multidisciplinary expertise within the construction industry and structural engineering is one of the pillars of this expertise. The development of asset management of structures is enabled by knowledge on the structural performance by means of measured data. This involves new measuring and sensing technology as well as big data processing and analysis, allowing sophisticated new approaches to the engineering side of asset management. 

Many existing structures are approaching the end of their design working life and questions arise whether to replace these structures or to keep them in service while guaranteeing sufficient safety. These structures are often reassessed and as the outcome of that, theymay be kept in service if carefully monitored in terms of e.g. their stiffness and stress levels. Therefore, monitoring techniques aiming at measuring aspects related to safety of existing structures are seriously considered. Monitoring techniques are available that detect structural defects in the course of time under operation. If defects are detected, techniques are available to size these defects. Recently significant progress has been made in sensing technology regarding the accuracy, robustness of sensors and data processing. However, to link these developments to structural applications requires additional research and development. All this belongs to the domain of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). By fulfilling the position of assistant professor SHM, we aim at performing research in a structural way on the link between SHM and structural behavior.

Qualifications
We offer a stimulating and ambitious educational and research environment and are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:
 You hold an MSc degree and a PhD degree in the field of civil engineering with specialization structural design or structural engineering.
 You have some experience in the design of steel structures. 
 You are research oriented, with a record in experimental research, preferably in the field of steel (and or aluminium) structures with a focus on Structural Health Monitoring,
 You are a team player with good communications skills who can work within a multidisciplinary team, as well as independently.
 You have at least 3 years of working experience in an academic environment (not including your PhD period).
 You have an immaculate teaching record in university courses and projects demonstrating excellence.
 You are able to create a vibrant and effective learning environment and have the ability to motivate students.
 You are able to guide and support PDEng trainees and PhD students.
 You have demonstrated your research skills by means of publications in reputed journals and conference proceedings. 
 You have proven capabilities in the acquisition of research grants.
 You have an affinity with engineering applications in the built environment and a creative mind in finding new solutions. 
 You have a good command of English, both orally and in writing.

A challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university.
 
We offer a temporary appointment for five years in a 'development track'. The development track can lead to a permanent appointment with the prospect of becoming associate professor. This provides young and talented scientists with the opportunity to grow into an internationally acknowledged academic. Based upon performance indicators a decision will be made in the final year whether or not to offer you a permanent position.
 
We offer support to your professional and personal development. You will be enrolled into a program to acquire the University Teaching Qualification (BKO) within 3 years. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to participate in the training Academic Leadership for Assistant Professors. And we offer you a mentoring program with the aim to support the professional and personal development of assistant professors.
 
Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO NU). Salary is based on knowledge and experience and is at least € 3475 up to a max. Of € 4757 gross per month (salary scale 11, CAO NU) at a fulltime appointment; plus 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year allowance. Besides that the TU/e provides an attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, child care and excellent sport facilities). International candidates may be eligible to apply for the 30% facility (a tax free reimbursement of extraterritorial costs). 
 
Information  

Further information can be obtained from: Prof.ir. H.H. Snijder, h.h.snijder@tue.nl, phone +31 40 247 2153

More personnel information can be obtained from Femke Verheggen, HR advisor, f.verheggen@tue.nl, phone +31 40 247 4796 or the HR department Built Environment (mail, po@bwk.tue.nl).  

Application  

Please submit your application (max. 5 x 2 MB) using the “Apply Now” or “Solliciteer Direct” button on the TU/e website. Do not send your application by email. Apply ultimately by 15 June 2018.   Your application should consist of the following documents:
 
  A Statement of Purpose explaining your motivation and qualifications for this position.
  A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications.
  Contact information of 2 references.

We would especially like to invite women to apply for this vacancy.