Postdoc - High strain resistant CFRP materials for fatigued structures

We offer a postdoc position where you will have the opportunity to work in a truly interdisciplinary team. Your project is part of a research campaign to develop lightweight hydrogen storage tanks. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as in industry and the public sector. This experience will further prepare you for future academic jobs.

Information about the VOLANT project
In the project VOLANT (Vehicle on-board storage integrating liquid and compressed hydrogen tanks) we aim to develop fatigue tolerant composites from thin plies, suppressing the formation of transverse cracks. Developed computational methods and an increased understanding will contribute to improved material designs and support vehicle integrated optimisation of cryo tanks, enabling use of hydrogen across transport modes. The Postdoc position will be placed at the Division of Material and Computational Mechanics (Department Industrial and Materials Science). 

The bulk of the project activities will be located with Leif Asp's group developing composite materials models for laminates made from very thin (tens of micrometres) carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite tapes. Liquid hydrogen storage is done at extremely low temperatures (-253 °C). Consequently, high thermal stresses will result. Conventional laminates cannot sustain stresses generated at such low temperatures and will therefore fracture. For this reason, relatively heavy metal liners are used in contemporary tank solutions. However, by use of thin ply composites, metal liners may be avoided all together saving a substantial amount of weight and cost.

The TeXtreme thin ply composite technology is developed by Oxeon (Borås) in shape of tapes and fabrics. Concepts for cryogenic hydrogen tanks for space application have already been developed, but still no liner-less solution has been realised. Here, we target other transport modes, heavy road/shipping and aviation, with much larger numbers of operation cycles. For this purpose, fatigue tolerant designs must be developed.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as a postdoc is to pursue your own research related to the project. The major goal of the project is to develop and validate material models (i.e. constitutive models, failure criteria, and fatigue life models) for thin ply composites made from both continuous and discontinuous tapes. The models are to be implemented in FE codes. Numerical methods allowing for efficient design of lightweight tanks for liquid hydrogen storage can be in focus for the second year of research. The modelling/experimental scope can be adjusted based on your own interests.

You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. Your research activities will contribute to enhanced knowledge in the scientific field, in particular by presenting your results in scientific journals and at international conferences.

The position also includes teaching courses within Chalmers' undergraduate level corresponding to up to 10 percent of the working hours.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you need to have a doctoral degree in Solid Mechanics, Structural Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering or another similar field. Documented research experience in mechanics of composite materials and the finite element method is also required. Since communication of knowledge results towards academic and industrial partners is a central part of the work, communicative skills in English (oral as well as in writing) are vital. 

Experience from education in materials science, experimental techniques, numerical analysis and programming is meritorious. Furthermore, it will also be expected that you can take on responsibilities within the project, have the ability to take own initiatives and, when needed, work independently. At the same time, being a successful researcher also involves working with others as well as disseminating the results within existing and new networks, both within academia but also to industry and society. Therefore, networking skills, team work skills and quality assurance are important.

Knowledge of the Swedish language is desirable but not a requirement. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210573 and written in English. 

Learn more and apply on Chalmers website: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10040&rmlang=UK

Application deadline: 30 January, 2022

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!