Research Assistant/Associate (f/m/d) - PhD position in Material Modeling Multi-scale modeling of the mechanical behavior of tribological coating systems

Weitere Informationen

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of initially 2 years.
An extension to a total of at least 3 years is planned.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a full-time position with the possibility of a part-time contract upon request.
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

Unser Profil

Invent the future of industrial 3D printing with us!

The Chair for Digital Additive Production (DAP) at RWTH Aachen University collaborates with industrial and scientific partners to investigate the fundamental interrelationships of digital and additive manufacturing, transferring these findings to industrial applications. Our research encompasses a wide range of topics, from component design and process development to production and the application properties of additively manufactured components. Additionally, we focus on accompanying processes such as design, quality management, and the digital representation of the entire process chain. Our service portfolio is further enhanced by individual consulting and training services. Through industry projects, we work closely with partners from various sectors—including automotive, aerospace, turbomachinery, life sciences, machinery, tool making, and mold making—to develop and shape the future of digital and additive manufacturing. Furthermore, DAP offers extensive professional and personal development opportunities within a highly motivated team.

Ihr Profil

You hold an University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in materials science, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, Computational Engineering Science (CES), physics, or an equivalent field of study and have a solid knowledge of and interest in materials modeling, mechanics of materials, and numerical simulation.

Additional knowledge in programming (z.B. Python, C++, ...), material characterization, data analysis, or experience with further simulation methods is an asset.

Furthermore, you are characterized by an independent and diligent work style and commitment. You are highly motivated to contribute your own ideas and play a significant role in shaping the future of additive manufacturing at DAP.

Ihre Aufgaben

You will be responsible for securing, coordinating, and executing diverse projects across digital and additive manufacturing domains. Specifically, you will advance the field by further developing a microscale model of metal plasticity, which enables the numerical simulation of dislocation plasticity—the primary mechanism driving mechanical deformation in metals. This model will simulate material behavior under thermal and thermo-mechanical loads during additive manufacturing, with a particular focus on composite coatings, in which a metallic matrix is combined with nonmetallic reinforcing particles. These coatings are crucial for reducing wear to extend component lifetime. The performance of these coatings is determined by matrix-particle interfaces, microscale deformation, and microstructural evolution during manufacturing.

To gain a fundamental understanding of these physical mechanisms, you will create a microscale material model of additively manufactured metal matrix composites using experimentally informed dislocation plasticity simulations. Working with national and international partners, you will validate your simulations against experimental observations to identify key microscale deformation and damage characteristics and develop optimized material parameters.

Über uns

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.

Besoldung / Entgelt

EG 13 TV-L