PhD in Multifunctional Polymer Composites

Introduction

Are you inspired to push the limits of polymeric materials for lighter and smarter defense platforms? Join us to develop a new generation of 3D-printed composite panels that shield electronics from electromagnetic threats and withstand impact.

Job Description

We are offering 2 PhD positions within project VALOR, an ambitious, interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry and government partners. The project aims to develop a new generation of lightweight composite panels that both shield sensitive electronics from electromagnetic threats and withstand impact events, helping to make defense platforms safer and more resilient.

Naval ships, drones and military vehicles increasingly depend on electronic radar, communication and navigation systems that must be protected against electromagnetic interference and radar detection . Today, this is mostly done with metals, which block practically all wave power with only a thin layer. However, they add weight, corrode, and reflect electromagnetic waves, making platforms easier to detect. Project VALOR tackles this challenge by merging two fields that have so far been developed separately: absorption-based electromagnetic shielding and impact-resistant sandwich structures . By combining 3D-printed architected nanocomposite materials with predictive modelling into one integrated design strategy, the project will construct a design framework for panels that are able to both carry loads and absorb electromagnetic waves, with a performance that can be tailored to specific (defense) applications.

Your role

We are recruiting two PhD candidates who will work as a team throughout the project, i.e. from material screening to design and testing of larger scale panel demonstrators. Both candidates will conduct a combination of experimental and numerical work and collaborate closely with industrial partners within the consortium. More specifically:

• PhD 1 focuses on mechanics and manufacturing : 3D printing nanocomposite lattice materials, fabricating composite facesheets, conducting mechanical tests, constructing and validating mechanical finite element models.
• PhD 2 focuses on electromagnetic testing and design : formulating polymer nanocomposite materials and characterizing their electromagnetic behaviour, designing and testing absorbing architected nanocomposite structures, conducting electromagnetic shielding simulations.

Your team and network

You will join the Processing and Performance of Materials section in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e. The group has around 20 PhD and post-doctoral researchers working on how processing, structure and properties connect in polymers and polymer-based composite materials. The group is known for its integrated experimental-numerical approach to tailor the performance of these materials. You will have access to state-of-the-art computational facilities and laboratories dedicated to rheology, polymer processing (incl. additive manufacturing) and mechanical testing. You will be supervised by Frederik Van Loock (project leader), Ruth Cardinaels and Tom Engels.

Job Requirements

PhD 1 – Mechanics and manufacturing

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious researcher with the following qualifications:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) with excellent grades in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in mechanics of materials / solid mechanics .
• A strong interest in combining experimental work with numerical modelling.
• Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary team and with industrial and defense partners.
• A research-oriented mindset: critical thinking is your second nature.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English, both spoken and written (C1 level).
• Experience with one or more of the following areas is a plus: mechanical characterization of polymer-based materials, finite element simulations of mechanical behaviour of polymer-based materials, 3D printing of polymers, polymer and composite processing .

PhD 2 – Electromagnetic testing and design

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious researcher with the following qualifications:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) with excellent grades in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Materials Science or Applied Physics, with a specialization in materials .
• A strong interest in combining experimental work with numerical modelling.
• Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary team and with industrial and defense partners.
• A research-oriented mindset: critical thinking is your second nature.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English, both spoken and written (C1 level).
• Experience with one or more of the following areas is a plus: electromagnetic characterization of polymer-based materials (e.g. vector network analysis, waveguide measurements), electromagnetic simulations (e.g. full-wave finite element modelling), 3D printing and processing of polymers.

Why Join?

• Work within the multidisciplinary Processing and Performance of Materials group
• Work at the forefront of advanced materials research in collaboration with industry leaders.
• Combine material formulation, characterization, and computation in a multidisciplinary team.
• Get trained to use cutting-edge experimental and numerical simulation facilities.
• Contribute to the development of advanced multi-functional and 3D printed composite panels that make defense platforms more safe and resilient.
• Work in an international working environment and present your work at international conferences.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities , scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process .
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme ) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment . Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video .

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here .

The Department of Mechanical Engineering department conducts world-class research aligned with the technological interests of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brainport region. Our goal is to produce engineers who are both scientifically educated and application-driven by providing a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Frederik Van Loock, f.v.loock@tue.nl .

Visit our website for more information about the application process . You can also contact HRServices.me@tue.nl .

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video .

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Complete overview of grades obtained (bachelor & master degree).

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines .
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.