One or more Postdocs in Mechanical and Material Science Engineering – Optimized Composite Mater

One or more Postdocs in Mechanical and Material Science Engineering – Optimized Composite Materials and Composite Recycling processes for Next-Generation Wind Turbine Blades (2024-224-05992)

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production, one or more postdoc positions in Mechanical and Material Science Engineering is open for appointment starting in December 2024 or soon hereafter. The duration of the position is 2 years with the possibility of getting extended for up to an additional 2 years.

Job Description
The postdoc positions are part of the EU Horizon Europe projects "CIRCWIND- Development of CIRCular optimised material solutions for WIND turbine blades and support structures" and "MADE4WIND - Innovative circular materials and design methods for the development of Floating Wind Turbine components for offshore Wind Farms of the future". Both projects aim to develop and validate innovative technologies for current and future wind turbines (WT), to enhance reliability and lifetime, performance, recyclability, operability, and maintainability, as well as to find cost-efficient pathways towards complete circularity in a context where a growing number of WT are reaching their end-of-life.

The topic for the MADE4WIND project is related to composite blade recycling technologies by exploiting a new generation of thermoset resins for the manufacture and recycling of composites. This new resin may be dissolved using a mild solvolysis process enabling the extraction of the fibre reinforcement materials. In this project, the postdoc will focus on improving the recyclability and circularity of the extracted fibre reinforcement materials with the aim to re-use the recycled fibre materials in the manufacture of new composites. The ideal candidate for this position has documented skills within the following domain-specific areas: composite material science, experimental characterization of fibrous materials, polymer and composite recycling processes, fibre fabric handling and processing, and development of new experiments and associated data reduction schemes. We do expect that some of these skills will have to be learned during the project and thus it is not required to have all the skills listed. At the time of starting in the postdoc position, the candidate must have obtained a PhD degree.

The overall topics for the open postdoc position within the CIRCWIND project deal with development of new wind turbine blade technologies enabling lighter, stronger, and more reliable wind turbine blades in the future.

Specifically, new concepts for the design of a next generation non-crimp glass fibre fabric will be explored and matured. CIRCWIND will develop a new multiscale and physics-based finite element simulation model of the underlying damage mechanisms at the microscale affecting the mesoscale crack growth rate during spectrum loading. To achieve this, it will use experimental data from characterization tests that will be performed on blade FRP laminated composites. Such experimental characterization will consider the operational conditions (wind loads, temperatures, humidity, etc.) of the harsh offshore environments that CIRCWIND is targeting. Focus of the research is to study the role and importance of FRP material design parameters and their crack shielding effect providing improved fatigue life and as a result a new FRP material with improved properties will be developed. An additional aim of CIRCWIND is to develop a new effective macroscale simulation tool that accurately can predict the fatigue crack growth, thus enabling future digital twins of wind turbine blades. This new simulation tool will be used to generate a virtual replica of a blade composite and coupled with a physical experiment. Damage data will be monitored using optical crack tracking techniques and embedded into the virtual replica for improved prediction performance. Thus, these developments will be fundamental for reliably improving the design of future wind turbine blades as well enable future digital twins for improved O&M and assessment of potential lifetime extensions. The open postdoc position will focus on the experimental and material science aspects of the CIRCWIND project while an already recruited PhD student will focus on the numerical developments. The ideal candidate for the postdoc position related to the CIRCWIND project has documented skills within the following domain-specific areas: composite materials and structures, damage and fracture mechanics of composites, experimental characterization of fibrous materials, development of test methods, fixtures, and data reduction schemes based on advanced instrumentation. We do expect that some of these skills will have to be learned during the project and thus it is not required to have all the skills listed. At the time of starting in the postdoc position, the candidate must have obtained a PhD degree.

Please target your application either towards the postdoc position within the MADE4WIND or the CIRCWIND project.

The postdoc positions will join the CraCS research group at Aalborg University headed by Associate Professor Esben Lindgaard and Associate Professor Brian Lau Verndal Bak, and currently consisting of 10 researchers (professors, postdoc researchers, Ph.D. students). Several researchers besides the open postdoc positions will work on the projects and the main supervisor for both postdoc positions will be Associate Professor Esben Lindgaard. As a Postdoc in the CraCS Research Group you may work on several different research projects depending on needs, competences, and interests.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Is self-driven and good at managing your own time
• Has good problem-solving skills related to laboratory work
• Has an excellent analytical mindset
• Has good collaborative skills
• Has high academic competencies

Please describe how you fit these personality characteristics, preferably with examples demonstrating this. A good level in oral and written English is required.

Supervision and teaching tasks within the general area of mechanical engineering can be expected, where a detailed understanding of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) methodology from AAU is required.

You will join a research group with several Ph.D. students, postdoc researchers, and professors, which gives excellent opportunities for inspiration, sparring, and academic discussions. We have a friendly and supportive working environment, believing this is the best way to ensure world-class scientific results.

The project covers the cost associated with traveling, participation in scientific conferences, and external meeting and research stays outside Denmark. All relevant IT and laboratory costs associated with the tasks to be carried out in the position are also covered. When employed in Denmark, you are covered by Danish health insurance when you take up residence in Denmark. We can also provide guidance on how to re-locate to Aalborg, Denmark.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please send them to Associate Professor Brian Lau Verndal Bak via email brianbak@mp.aau.dk.

The application must be written in English and must include the following:

• A cover letter describing the motivation for applying to the position.
• A Curriculum Vitae including education qualifications, research and industrial experience, awards and fellowships, any additional scientific achievements.
• If you are currently in a Ph.D. position, you should provide a letter describing when you expect to complete your Ph.D. and obtain your PhD degree.
• A list of publications including reference to your Ph.D. thesis.
• A copy of the Master's certificate (or equivalent)
• An official transcript of the completed subjects and grades achieved in the course of the Master's programme.

We will inform you shortly after the application deadline if you are invited to a job interview.

Qualification Requirements:
Appointment as Postdoc presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. Appointment as a Postdoc cannot exceed a period of four years in total at Aalborg University.

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 5 publications.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position. References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Salary and Employment Conditions:
Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.

Application Deadline:
2024-10-01

Reference Number:
2024-224-05992