Postdoctoral project for validating a cutting-edge computational model against new experiments on thermoplastic composites.
Job description
Thermoplastic composites are an important class of engineering materials used in applications ranging from protective covers and frames to structural load-bearing components in automotive and aerospace. Their excellent strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, in combination with processability into complex geometries, makes them a key engineering material in applications where weight is an important design factor. Scaling up the manufacturing of thermoplastic composites in a viable and sustainable way, however, poses a major challenge. While the manufacturing of individual parts is at a proper level of maturity, the integration and assembly of these parts is far less developed. “Enlighten” is large multidisciplinary research program funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) on enabling integrated lightweight structures with thermoplastic composites involving several academic and industrial partners.
This postdoctoral research project within the Enlighten program aims to validate the capability of a newly developed and implemented modelling framework to describe the fracture and fatigue of a T-section taken from an overmolded thermoplastic composite part. The framework combines a cohesive zone model for the overmolded interface with an anisotropic viscoplasticity model for the laminate, specifically developed to enable prediction of the long-term performance of composites under high-cycle fatigue conditions. The researcher will be responsible for an experimental campaign on T-shaped, overmolded structures loaded under both quasi-static and cyclic boundary conditions, in part by supervising thesis students on. Moreover, simulations will be performed to validate the frameworks capability of describing failure of overmolded interfaces under both short- and long-term loading after calibrating the model on a subset of the experiments.
The project will fill a gap in literature regarding the characterization of overmolded thermoplastic composites and will investigate the validity of a leading computational model for describing the long-term performance of such integrated composite structures. The research will be supervised by Dr.ir. Tom Engels at Eindhoven University of Technology, where experiments will be performed, and Dr.ir. Frans van der Meer at Delft University of Technology, where the model development has taken place.
Job requirements
We seek an enthusiastic researcher for doing numerical/experimental research in a collaborative context. A successful candidate should have:
- A PhD degree in a relevant field (Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, with emphasis on mechanics of solids and structures)
- Proven ability to work with advanced tools for the simulation of engineering materials
- Independence, eagerness to learn, openness to collaborate with other researchers
- Motivation to supervise students on related projects
- Excellent command of English, both verbal and in writing
- Experience with fatigue/fracture experiments and/or with fiber reinforced composite materials is a strong advantage.
TU Delft (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!
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.
Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 18 months. Temporary
- A job of 36-38 hours per week.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Flexible working week.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Frans van der Meer, f.p.vandermeer@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 February 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
You can address your application to Frans van der Meer.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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