Post-doctoral position in Experimental Analysis and Control of Induction Welding Process for Thermoplastic Composites of Thermoplastic Manufacturing Process

Job description

The challenge

Weight is a major obstacle in making the transport sector green, as extra mass means extra energy consumption. Polymer composites offer light weight solutions to potentially reduce 20-30% of mass. However, current generation (thermoset) solutions are hard to recycle. Thermoplastic composite (TPC) components, instead, can be produced rapidly and recycled relatively easily. The major challenge, however, is in scaling up both the series size and the physical dimensions of the structures in a viable and sustainable way. While the manufacturing of individual parts is at a high level of maturity, the integration and assembly of these parts is far less developed, particularly with fusion bonding process (the preferred joining method). In this process, failure of assembly implies scrapping the entire structure. This project is trying to resolve this problem, by establishing the scientific principles for a physics-based design and production system of advanced assembly methods for TPCs at an industrial scale.

Job description

We are looking for a highly motivated Post-Doctoral candidate to join our research team. Your research focus will be on the experimentation of real-time robust model predictive control schemes for induction welding. As a first step you will be collecting experimental evidence of the heat generation using dedicated experimental setup with a robot and an induction heating coil. The process control of integrated thermoplastic composite structures is critically dependent on the material and process parameters, which are indirectly extracted via the aforementioned experiments and in-situ process monitoring. On the other hand, the physics-based models describing manufacturing process and structural performance are of nonlinear and multiscale nature. As those high fidelity models are not suitable for control applications, equivalent and efficient physics-based AI meta models, and corresponding model predictive control schemes will be validated based on the data collected. The development of the high fidelity models are already under progress within the project. The work will be done in collaboration with other PhD student already employed within ENLIGHTEN programme (Participants: Airborne, Airbus, Aniform, Autodesk, Boeing, Boikon, Bosch, Cato, Composites NL, DSM, DTC, Engel, e‐Xstream, GKN/Fokker, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, JLR, KVE, M2i, Province of Overijssel, SAM|XL, SET Europe, Solvay, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, TNO‐BMC, Toray Advanced Composites, TPRC, University of Twente, University of Warwick, and Victrex).

Your profile

• A PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering (composite materials, experimental mechanics, data analysis, experimental control and related).
• Experience with experimental methods and data acquisition systems like LabView or similar systems will be beneficial
• Strong, proven programming skills in Python.
• Proficient in written and oral English.
• The ability to operate at the intersection of various fields.
• A high degree of responsibility and independence, able to collaborate with colleagues, researchers, and other university staff.
• Experience with finite element libraries and numerical methods would further strengthen the application.

Our offer

• You will be appointed for a period of maximum 16 months full-time within a very stimulating scientific environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• Gross salary between € 4.442,- (step 4) and € 5.760,- (step 12) per month depending on experience and qualifications;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
• The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
• We are also a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.

Information and application

Please submit your application before 23 October 2026 using the “Apply now” button, and include:

• A cover letter of at most 1 page A4, explaining specific interests, the motivation for the application, and why you qualify for this project.
• A full Curriculum Vitae, including contact information for at least two academic references
• Transcripts from your Bachelor and/or Master degrees

Interviews will be held following the submission closure. Additional information about this position can be acquired from Prof. Bojana Rosic ( b.rosic@utwente.nl ).

The first (online) jobinterviews will be held October 29.

Screening is part of the procedure

About the department

We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The UT is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and hardworking researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

The ET faculty is one of the five faculties of the UT. ET combines Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. The departments of the faculty cooperatively conduct the educational programmes and participate in interdisciplinary research projects, programmes and the research institutes, including Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

About the organisation

At the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), we work on engineering for impact: developing smart, sustainable, human-centred and technological solutions for societal challenges. We connect fundamental education, research and practice across five core domains: Asset & Maintenance engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Personalised Health Technology, Resilience Engineering, and Sustainable Production, Energy and Resources.

We work on education and research in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and industrial design engineering. Together, we learn by making, creating, and innovating, addressing challenges in a solution-oriented way. Quality, connection and inclusivity are the foundation of our culture.

In our open community, students, researchers and staff collaborate with industrial and societal partners. This enables us to develop insights, applications and solutions that add value to society.