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The research group Mechanics of Materials and Structures at Ghent University (UGent-MMS) has 4 vacancies for PhD and postdoc research in the field of fibre-reinforced composites. The vacancies are linked to research on composite hydrogen tanks, composite propellers for drones and finite element modelling of textile manufacturing. All research will be conducted with leading companies in the field.

More information can be found on

Ballistic protection concerns apparel, vests, armors, helmets and structural reinforcement for vehicles as well.

We are looking for a PhD student for a research project on microscale mechanical characterization of fiber reinforced polymer composites using in-situ microscopic techniques. Much more fundamental insights and measurements at the micro-scale are necessary to enable fully predictive multi-scale modelling and faster adaptation of composites. Therefore, we have developed advanced micromechanical test methods for fibre reinforced polymer composites based on in-situ optical and electron microscopy during loading.

We are seeking a dedicated postdoc on advanced material modelling in the textile domain. In this project you will dive deep into a cutting-edge research area, exploring the complexities of advanced textile material modelling. You will be part of a team of 4 researchers (3 PhDs and one postdoc) who will all work on this large research project. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to support the 3 PhD students and act as a mentor and tutor for them.

We are seeking a dedicated PhD candidate on advanced material modelling in the textile domain. In this project you will dive deep into a cutting-edge research area, exploring the complexities of advanced textile material modelling. You will collaborate closely with an research team comprising 2 other PhD students and a postdoctoral researcher.

Additive manufacturing of metal alloys yields great potential for the aerospace industry (and others) as it allows the generation of geometrically complex structures with high specific strength, low density and high corrosion resistance. For example, General Electric has demonstrated the possibility of printing titanium fuel injectors for their LEAP engine, Boeing incorporated more than 300 printed parts in their 777X airplane … For such critical applications, the structural quality of printed parts is of utmost importance. Small deviations in print conditions, e.g.

Over the past years, UGent-MMS has developed a stand-alone topology optimization code for additive manufacturing applications. The topology optimization software can deal with thermo-mechanical coupled problems, combined with multi-material selection. Such features are not available in any commercial topology optimization code.
The code can also deal with large industrial optimization problems, with millions degrees of freedom in three-dimensional finite element models.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a research project on textile modelling. In this project, the main purpose is to develop a multi-scale textile modelling framework that allows accurate simulation of textile manufacturing processes such as yarn unwinding from a bobbin, weft insertion during weaving, stitching and tufting. This framework is implemented using finite element modelling as well as virtual fibre modelling. Key here are the dynamics of these systems as most textile production happens at high speeds.