Postdoc Computational Design of Mechanical Metamaterials for Controlling Fracture

Job description
Modern design paradigmns can no longer rely on intuition, but instead on advanced comptational tools. We are particularly interested in mechanical metamaterials, which exhibit unusual mechanical behavior not found in nature by means of an engineered structure. For instance, metamaterials can be designed so that at bulk they have an effective negative Poisson's ratio (auxetic metamaterials), or they attenuate waves with subwavelength structures (acoustic metamaterials). However, the creation of metamaterials with unusual fracture behavior is yet to be explored. The design of a new class of mechanical metamaterials with tailored fracture behavior could have a large set of applications, ranging from dissipative wearables to customized food. In fact, together with the University of Amsterdam (UvA), we recently pushed forward the first generation of edible metamaterials with tailored fracture, see BBC article.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be in charge of the design of the next generation of mechanical metamaterials by means of topology optimization. In this joint project with UvA, your tasks will include:

• Mastering concepts from fracture mechanics for both brittle and ductile materials and structural optimization (i.e., topology optimization).
• Extending our existing framework that uses topology optimization for designing metamaterial unit cells for fracture.
• Coordinating with the team at UvA for the realization of optimized prototypes and their validation with experiments.
• Helping with teaching activities, the supervision of students, and the writing of research proposals.
• Publishing in renowned computational journals, and presenting your research at international meetings.

Computational Design and Mechanics
The Computational Design and Mechanics (CDM) section is part of the Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME)) within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineeringat TU Delft. CDM specializes in research and education at the intersection of computational design, mechanics, and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging cutting-edge computational techniques, CDM develops innovative methodologies for designing mechanical components and systems with enhanced functionalities. As part of CDM, you’ll collaborate within a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including highly regarded professors in computational mechanics, topology optimization, and digital design. CDM maintains strong collaborations with industry partners to ensure the practical application and relevance of its research.

CDM’s research infrastructure includes state-of-the-art facilities, advanced simulation tools, and access to high-performance computing resources. These enable students and researchers to pioneer novel solutions for challenges in precision engineering, material design, and multifunctional mechanical systems. Beyond technical training, CDM fosters an innovative and collaborative research environment, encouraging knowledge exchange through international conferences, industry partnerships, and professional development opportunities.

Job requirements
You should have the following qualifications:

• A strong background in computational mechanics, particularly fracture mechanics. Background in implementing the finite element method and topology optimization is also highly desired;
• A PhD degree in mechanical engineering (or a related area such as civil engineering, aerospace engineering, or applied mathematics);
• Programming experience (Python or a related language);
• Knowledge of optimization;
• Excellent communication skills (high level of English).

The following will make you stand out:

• Creative, open-minded and proactive researcher.
• Excellent analytical and programming skills.

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 Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Postdoc Computational Design of Mechanical Metamaterials for Controlling Fracture

Job description
Modern design paradigmns can no longer rely on intuition, but instead on advanced comptational tools. We are particularly interested in mechanical metamaterials, which exhibit unusual mechanical behavior not found in nature by means of an engineered structure. For instance, metamaterials can be designed so that at bulk they have an effective negative Poisson's ratio (auxetic metamaterials), or they attenuate waves with subwavelength structures (acoustic metamaterials). However, the creation of metamaterials with unusual fracture behavior is yet to be explored. The design of a new class of mechanical metamaterials with tailored fracture behavior could have a large set of applications, ranging from dissipative wearables to customized food. In fact, together with the University of Amsterdam (UvA), we recently pushed forward the first generation of edible metamaterials with tailored fracture, see BBC article.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be in charge of the design of the next generation of mechanical metamaterials by means of topology optimization. In this joint project with UvA, your tasks will include:

• Mastering concepts from fracture mechanics for both brittle and ductile materials and structural optimization (i.e., topology optimization).
• Extending our existing framework that uses topology optimization for designing metamaterial unit cells for fracture.
• Coordinating with the team at UvA for the realization of optimized prototypes and their validation with experiments.
• Helping with teaching activities, the supervision of students, and the writing of research proposals.
• Publishing in renowned computational journals, and presenting your research at international meetings.

Computational Design and Mechanics
The Computational Design and Mechanics (CDM) section is part of the Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME)) within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineeringat TU Delft. CDM specializes in research and education at the intersection of computational design, mechanics, and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging cutting-edge computational techniques, CDM develops innovative methodologies for designing mechanical components and systems with enhanced functionalities. As part of CDM, you’ll collaborate within a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including highly regarded professors in computational mechanics, topology optimization, and digital design. CDM maintains strong collaborations with industry partners to ensure the practical application and relevance of its research.

CDM’s research infrastructure includes state-of-the-art facilities, advanced simulation tools, and access to high-performance computing resources. These enable students and researchers to pioneer novel solutions for challenges in precision engineering, material design, and multifunctional mechanical systems. Beyond technical training, CDM fosters an innovative and collaborative research environment, encouraging knowledge exchange through international conferences, industry partnerships, and professional development opportunities.

Job requirements
You should have the following qualifications:

• A strong background in computational mechanics, particularly fracture mechanics. Background in implementing the finite element method and topology optimization is also highly desired;
• A PhD degree in mechanical engineering (or a related area such as civil engineering, aerospace engineering, or applied mathematics);
• Programming experience (Python or a related language);
• Knowledge of optimization;
• Excellent communication skills (high level of English).

The following will make you stand out:

• Creative, open-minded and proactive researcher.
• Excellent analytical and programming skills.

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 Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Allround Technicus Wind tunnel en Propulsie Lab

Functieomschrijving
Als allround technicus ben jij de rots in de branding voor studenten, onderzoekers en externe klanten die experimenten uitvoeren in onze windtunnels. Je helpt hen bij het bedenken, voorbereiden en (laten) bouwen van testopstellingen. Tijdens de experimenten zelf ben je vaak de redder in nood: je bedient installaties, lost last-minute problemen op en maakt — met jouw uitstekende mechanische inzichten en vaardigheden — snel een hulpstuk op onze conventionele machines om een acuut probleem te verhelpen. Complexer werk besteed je in overleg uit aan de centrale werkplaats.

Daarnaast voer je mechanisch en elektrotechnisch onderhoud uit en verhelp je storingen op locatie. Je bent dus een echte allrounder met gevoel voor techniek en oog voor kwaliteit. Je vaste plek is onze bescheiden werkplaats, waar collega’s je makkelijk weten te vinden — voor hulp, een vraag, of gewoon om even te sparren. Een typische werkdag is er eigenlijk niet: de vragen zijn divers en geen dag is hetzelfde.

Het team waarmee je dit allemaal doet bestaat uit tien enthousiaste en diverse technici. Net als jij werken zij aan het ondersteunen van experimenten, het draaiende houden van bestaande faciliteiten én het ontwikkelen van nieuwe. Samen zorgen jullie ervoor dat topwetenschappelijk onderzoek soepel en veilig kan plaatsvinden.

Functie-eisen
We zoeken iemand met:

• MBO+ of HBO werk- en denkniveau in de richting werktuigbouwkunde, mechatronica of fijnmechanica. Je hoeft niet alles al te kunnen; veel leer je hier ‘on the job’. Je stelt vragen, denkt mee, en pakt eigenaarschap.
• Ervaring met fijnmechanisch werk: lassen, draaien, frezen, boren, slijpen
• Basiskennis elektronica/mechatronica
• Vaardigheid in het opsporen en oplossen van technische storingen
• Communicatieve vaardigheden in het Nederlands en Engels
• Een gestructureerde, zelfstandige werkhouding
• Interesse om je verder te ontwikkelen in bijvoorbeeld LabVIEW, CAD-programma’s of 3D-printen — wij bieden hiervoor graag trainingen aan.

Je herkent jezelf in deze eigenschappen:

• Leergierig en creatief
• Teamspeler met verbindend vermogen
• Neemt verantwoordelijkheid en eigenaarschap
• Veiligheidsbewust, en spreekt anderen daar ook op aan
• Zelfstarter in denken en doen

TU Delft
De Technische Universiteit Delft heeft een sterk fundament. Als bouwer van de wereldberoemde Nederlandse waterwerken en pionier in biotech is TU Delft een internationale topuniversiteit die wetenschap, engineering en design combineert. TU Delft staat voor onderwijs, onderzoek en innovatie van wereldklasse om uitdagingen op het gebied van energie, klimaat, mobiliteit, gezondheid en digitale maatschappij aan te gaan. Generaties Delftse ingenieurs hebben bewezen ondernemende probleemoplossers te zijn in bedrijfsleven en in sociale context.

Bij TU Delft omarmen we diversiteit als een van onze kernwaarden en zetten we ons actief in om een universiteit te zijn waar jij je thuis voelt en kunt floreren. We hechten veel waarde aan verschillende perspectieven en kwaliteiten, omdat wij geloven dat dit ons werk innovatiever, de TU Delft-gemeenschap levendiger en de wereld rechtvaardiger maakt. Samen bedenken en ontwikkelen we oplossingen die een positieve invloed hebben op wereldwijde schaal. Daarom nodigen we jou uit om te solliciteren. Je sollicitatie krijgt een eerlijke behandeling.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek
De faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek van de Technische Universiteit Delft is een van de hoogst scorende (en een van de meest volledige) communities voor onderzoek, onderwijs en innovatie in de wereld op het gebied van de luchtvaart- en ruimtevaarttechniek. Meer dan 200 wetenschappers, zo’n 270 promovendi en bijna 3000 BSc- en MSc-studenten zetten disciplines uit de luchtvaart- en ruimtevaarttechniek in om de grote wereldwijde maatschappelijke uitdagingen op te lossen die ons vandaag de dag bedreigen. Klimaatverandering is zonder twijfel hiervan de belangrijkste. Onze focus: duurzame luchtvaart- en ruimtevaart, big data en kunstmatige intelligentie, bio-geïnspireerde technologie en slimme instrumenten en systemen. Werken aan de faculteit betekent samenwerken. Met partners in andere faculteiten, kennisinstellingen, overheden en industrie - aerospace en non-aerospace. In field labs en innovatiehubs op onze universiteitscampus en ver daarbuiten.

Klik hier om naar de website van faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek te gaan.

Allround Technicus Wind tunnel en Propulsie Lab

Functieomschrijving
Als allround technicus ben jij de rots in de branding voor studenten, onderzoekers en externe klanten die experimenten uitvoeren in onze windtunnels. Je helpt hen bij het bedenken, voorbereiden en (laten) bouwen van testopstellingen. Tijdens de experimenten zelf ben je vaak de redder in nood: je bedient installaties, lost last-minute problemen op en maakt — met jouw uitstekende mechanische inzichten en vaardigheden — snel een hulpstuk op onze conventionele machines om een acuut probleem te verhelpen. Complexer werk besteed je in overleg uit aan de centrale werkplaats.

Daarnaast voer je mechanisch en elektrotechnisch onderhoud uit en verhelp je storingen op locatie. Je bent dus een echte allrounder met gevoel voor techniek en oog voor kwaliteit. Je vaste plek is onze bescheiden werkplaats, waar collega’s je makkelijk weten te vinden — voor hulp, een vraag, of gewoon om even te sparren. Een typische werkdag is er eigenlijk niet: de vragen zijn divers en geen dag is hetzelfde.

Het team waarmee je dit allemaal doet bestaat uit tien enthousiaste en diverse technici. Net als jij werken zij aan het ondersteunen van experimenten, het draaiende houden van bestaande faciliteiten én het ontwikkelen van nieuwe. Samen zorgen jullie ervoor dat topwetenschappelijk onderzoek soepel en veilig kan plaatsvinden.

Functie-eisen
We zoeken iemand met:

• MBO+ of HBO werk- en denkniveau in de richting werktuigbouwkunde, mechatronica of fijnmechanica. Je hoeft niet alles al te kunnen; veel leer je hier ‘on the job’. Je stelt vragen, denkt mee, en pakt eigenaarschap.
• Ervaring met fijnmechanisch werk: lassen, draaien, frezen, boren, slijpen
• Basiskennis elektronica/mechatronica
• Vaardigheid in het opsporen en oplossen van technische storingen
• Communicatieve vaardigheden in het Nederlands en Engels
• Een gestructureerde, zelfstandige werkhouding
• Interesse om je verder te ontwikkelen in bijvoorbeeld LabVIEW, CAD-programma’s of 3D-printen — wij bieden hiervoor graag trainingen aan.

Je herkent jezelf in deze eigenschappen:

• Leergierig en creatief
• Teamspeler met verbindend vermogen
• Neemt verantwoordelijkheid en eigenaarschap
• Veiligheidsbewust, en spreekt anderen daar ook op aan
• Zelfstarter in denken en doen

TU Delft
De Technische Universiteit Delft heeft een sterk fundament. Als bouwer van de wereldberoemde Nederlandse waterwerken en pionier in biotech is TU Delft een internationale topuniversiteit die wetenschap, engineering en design combineert. TU Delft staat voor onderwijs, onderzoek en innovatie van wereldklasse om uitdagingen op het gebied van energie, klimaat, mobiliteit, gezondheid en digitale maatschappij aan te gaan. Generaties Delftse ingenieurs hebben bewezen ondernemende probleemoplossers te zijn in bedrijfsleven en in sociale context.

Bij TU Delft omarmen we diversiteit als een van onze kernwaarden en zetten we ons actief in om een universiteit te zijn waar jij je thuis voelt en kunt floreren. We hechten veel waarde aan verschillende perspectieven en kwaliteiten, omdat wij geloven dat dit ons werk innovatiever, de TU Delft-gemeenschap levendiger en de wereld rechtvaardiger maakt. Samen bedenken en ontwikkelen we oplossingen die een positieve invloed hebben op wereldwijde schaal. Daarom nodigen we jou uit om te solliciteren. Je sollicitatie krijgt een eerlijke behandeling.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek
De faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek van de Technische Universiteit Delft is een van de hoogst scorende (en een van de meest volledige) communities voor onderzoek, onderwijs en innovatie in de wereld op het gebied van de luchtvaart- en ruimtevaarttechniek. Meer dan 200 wetenschappers, zo’n 270 promovendi en bijna 3000 BSc- en MSc-studenten zetten disciplines uit de luchtvaart- en ruimtevaarttechniek in om de grote wereldwijde maatschappelijke uitdagingen op te lossen die ons vandaag de dag bedreigen. Klimaatverandering is zonder twijfel hiervan de belangrijkste. Onze focus: duurzame luchtvaart- en ruimtevaart, big data en kunstmatige intelligentie, bio-geïnspireerde technologie en slimme instrumenten en systemen. Werken aan de faculteit betekent samenwerken. Met partners in andere faculteiten, kennisinstellingen, overheden en industrie - aerospace en non-aerospace. In field labs en innovatiehubs op onze universiteitscampus en ver daarbuiten.

Klik hier om naar de website van faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek te gaan.

Junior Researcher Next Generation Micro-chip Assembly

Job description
CONTEXT AND CHALLENGE

Hundreds of billions of electronic components are manufactured annually, and find their way in e.g. phones, computers, sensors and displays.The core of any electronic component is a chip, which is a small piece of silicon manufactured using lithography-based wafer technology. However, every chip must be handled, positioned, and assembled to function effectively. Current most advanced chip assembly machines run at tens of thousands of products per hour. In order to keep up with the market demands, micro-chip assembly must become even faster, more accurate and more sustainable. This requires radically new assembly concepts and processes.

We develop innovative micro-chip assembly processes, using micro-droplet physics and technology. This allows soft-contact chip handling, placement and alignment. Your research will help tackling key technical challenges, including handling of ultra-small chips (<100 micrometers), achieving ultra-high precision (1-3 micrometers), and maximizing throughput.

YOUR ROLE

We are looking for a talented Junior researcher to join our multidisciplinary team in developing next-generation micro-chip assembly processes using micro-droplet physics and technology. The main taks for you is to support the ongoing research activities in the project. This involves joining in the definition of scientific experiments; the design and implementation of (an) experimental setup(s); and take part in the execution of the experiments.

The setup will likely consist of electronic functions, micro-fluidics, vision systems and optics, actuation systems, and control (e.g. LabView).

You will collaborate with other researchers in the team who focus on droplet-enabled micro-chip handling.

Job requirements
We seek enthusiastic candidates who identify with one or more of the following profiles:

• A MSc degree in precision mechanical engineering, mechatronic engineering or micro/nano engineering.
• Strong proven capabilities in experimental research, demonstarted abilities to conceive, design, implement and operate complex experimental setups.
• A team-oriented mindset, eager to collaborate with researchers and industry experts.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.
• A passion for working on groundbreaking, high-impact technology and translating research into industrial applications.

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 Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.