PhD on modelling thermal cracking of oxides to reuse aluminium powder in 3D printing

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has a vacancy for a

PhD on modelling thermal cracking of oxides to reuse aluminium powder in 3D printing

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 8,6000 employees and 44,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

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About the position

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

A PhD position within the frame of the European project AlproCam (with NTNU, Brunel University, Technische Universitat Clausthal, Phoenix Scientific Industries, Acondicionamiento Tarrasense Associacion) is offered at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The funding is 3 years.

Your immediate Line Manager will be the Head of Department.

About the project

Currently, when aluminum powder is used in 3D printing, it degrades and develops a crusty outer layer, making it difficult to reuse. Instead of throwing it away or using harsh chemicals and extreme energy to clean it, the European AlproCam project uses a physical approach that allows to restoring old, used aluminum powder back to perfect, brand-new quality. The goal is to eliminate the need for toxic chemicals, save energy, and open the door to fully recycling aluminum and other metals in modern manufacturing. The ALPROCAM project aims at making additive manufacturing products more sustainable, cheaper and environmentally friendly.

The PhD position will focus on modelling the thermal expansion and cracking of powder used for the 3D printing. Crystal plasticity and continuum plasticity models in finite element software will be adapted and used.

The work will include collaboration with European partners and a researcher at NTNU who will perform material characterization and testing.

Duties of the position

• Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions

Required selection criteria

• Strong background with experience with numerical/mathematical modelling and simulations of continuum and preferable also crystal plasticity using finite element software.
• You must have a Master's degree inMaterials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physicsor equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Experience with model implementation/programming in Fortran, C/C++, Python or similar computer languages.
• Good written and oral English language and communication skills.
• An educational background which also includes hands-on experience with crystal and/or continuum plasticity models and finite element method simulations.
• Competence related to fracture and damage modelling.

Personal characteristics

• Creativity, with a strong ability to work goal-oriented and independently.
• Good skills to deliver oral and written presentations of research results.
• He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in working in project teams.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleaguesFree Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of