3-years PhD position in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network “ASSESS” on “Advanced numer[...]

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Organisation/Company: Politecnico di Torino

Department: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Research Field: Engineering » Aerospace engineering, Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: Italy

Application Deadline: 22 Feb 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Rome)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 40

Offer Starting Date: 1 Sep 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101168031

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This position involves research into advanced numerical modeling techniques for the mechanical analysis of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite laminates and smart structures. The successful candidate will focus on developing and implementing efficient multi-scale numerical simulations based on the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) within the finite element method (FEM). These simulations aim to analyze the interaction between surface-mounted and embedded piezoelectric (PZT) actuators and sensors with FRP structures.

The research will include the development of innovative coupled numerical techniques to model guided wave (GW) propagation and structural vibrations in both pristine and damaged configurations of sandwich panels and wind turbine blades. CUF-based FEM models, enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI), will be applied to investigate damage and failure mechanisms in honeycomb structures. This work will contribute to establishing methodologies for accurate Remaining Useful Life (RUL) estimation and defect prognosis in composite structures.

The project’s expected results include advanced models for the mechanical behavior of sandwich panels and wind turbine blades, effective coupled solutions for integrating PZT sensors into smart composite structures, efficient methodologies for characterizing vibration properties and GW propagation in FRP composites, and accurate modeling frameworks for failure analysis supporting RUL estimation.

This research will address both theoretical and practical challenges in structural analysis and health monitoring of advanced composite materials, contributing to the design and maintenance of more reliable and efficient structural systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research as outlined in the project’s objectives under the supervision of Professors Filippi (PoliTo), Pagani (Polito), and Chronopoulos (KU Leuven).
• Engage in secondments as part of the project’s training activities with KU Leuven, Siemens, and Ramboll.
• Contribute to academic publications, project reports, and other dissemination activities.
• Participate in structured training programs and network-wide events organized by the consortium.
• Collaborate with international partners and other Doctoral Candidates within the network.
• Good knowledge of computational mechanics.
• Preferred degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Computational Mechanics or similar.
• Proficiency with commercial software and tools for structural analyses.
• Academic writing.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Specific Requirements:

Knowledge of numerical and analytical models for wave propagation problems.

Languages: ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

The successful candidate will receive a competitive and attractive academic remuneration package following the MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates. The researcher will be recruited under an employment contract that includes social security coverage.

The financial benefit includes the following:

• Monthly mobility allowance: 600 euro/month.
• Monthly family allowance: 660 euro/month, if applicable and depending on the family situation.

*The living allowance indicated above is the total EU contribution to the salary costs of the researcher. The estimated gross salary (approximately 39.739,20 euro per 12 months) includes both employee and employer’s contributions. The net salary is obtained after deducting these contributions (and any other nationally applicable direct taxes (e.g. income tax)) from the gross salary.

The doctoral candidate will also benefit from comprehensive training within the ASSESS network, including participation in at least six specialized Training Events organized by the MSCA-ASSESS network. Additional opportunities include secondments to partner laboratories, a range of advanced training courses (including transferable skills development), and active engagement in workshops and international conferences, providing a well-rounded and enriching research experience.

Eligibility Criteria:

PoliTo criteria:

M.Sc. degree (i.e., 2° level title, as defined by the Bologna Process), issued by an officially recognized academic institution, which grants admission to PhD programmes in the country of issuance.

In order to evaluate the University career, the candidate should provide:

• Official Transcript of Records
• Master's degree OR official university document stating provisional date of graduation (if not graduated yet)

The documents shall be issued by the relevant university.

Documents issued in Italian, English, French, Spanish are accepted. If the documents are written in other languages, please upload both the original version AND the official translation in Italian or English and attach the merged document.

Academic qualifications are accepted to take part in the selection process with the minimum average grade illustrated in Annex 3 of the Call for admission.

The original diplomas and transcripts should be available by 31st October at the latest (or before enrollment to PoliTO).

One of the following certificates of English language knowledge, regardless of the date of obtainment:

be exempted from presenting an English language certificate in accordance with the terms of Annex 4 of the Call for Admission.

Annual Fees:

Around € 1.261,00/year for the entire duration of the PhD Program. PhD annual fees due by the MSCA action.

MSCA criteria:

• Not in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

Recruited applicants can be of any nationality and must undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. In particular, at the time of selection, the recruited applicant for this position must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

Selection Process:

• Candidates should apply electronically using the job portal of TU Delft, where all the vacancies of ASSESS will be posted in January: Jobs at TU Delft.
• Candidates should provide the following documents:
  • Detailed CV, including information on the candidate’s proficiency in English
  • Motivational letter (1 page), describing why the position fits the applicant
  • Contact information of 2 references
  • Copy of Master’s degree diploma
  • Copies of any other relevant certifications listed within CV
• Selection Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic background, research experience, and alignment with the project’s objectives. The selection process will be open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable.
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a structured interview with predefined questions and a scoring system.
• Note: Candidates selected for the Interview will need to upload the missing documentation (see Eligibility Criteria) on the Polito website, Apply@polito.

Place and Research Environment of the PhD Program:

The candidate will be working in the Mul2 Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy. The Politecnico di Torino, founded in 1906 from the roots of the Technical School for Engineers created in 1859, has a long-standing tradition of leadership in polytechnic culture. It is one of the most important universities in Europe for engineering and architecture studies. Currently, it is among the top Engineering and Technology universities in the world, the 45th according to the QS University Rankings 2023 by broad Subject, the 28th in Architecture and Built Environment, 33rd for Civil and Structural Engineering, and 26th in Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing by Subject.

The Mul2 Lab at Politecnico di Torino is a recognized leader in multi-physics simulations and the development of advanced models for aerospace structures and materials. The lab comprises five faculty members, more than 20 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and maintains numerous collaborations with prominent aerospace research institutions and industry.

Three secondments of 3 months each are planned at: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Siemens Industry Software NV, Leuven, Belgium; Ramboll Deutschland Gmbh, Hamburg, Germany.