PhD Scholarship in Multi-Physics Simulation of Laser Welding for Battery Pack Manufacturing

If you are looking for a research opportunity and a PhD position, here is a possibility at the Section of Manufacturing Engineering, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark. The PhD project involves advanced multi-physics numerical modeling of laser welding for battery pack manufacturing in collaboration with other academic partners and automotive industry. Local effects in laser welds and their influence on performance and robustness of battery packs for electric vehicles will be studied for optimization of the laser welding process. The position is to be filled July 1, 2022 or soon after that.

Responsibilities and qualifications

The PhD project will focus on simulation of local effects and properties of laser welds, including the electrical resistance across the weld. Other partners in the project will use this information to simulate the effects at larger scale and the impact on battery pack level. Validation of the simulation work will be made in collaboration with electric vehicle industry.

Your primary tasks in the PhD project will be to:

• Develop a numerical framework for laser welding based on a thermo-fluid finite volume method (FVM).
• Predict microstructural features, porosities and material phase transitions.
• Simulate the electrical and thermal response of the final weld.
• Combine meso and micro scale models for multi-scale modeling.

Furthermore, your tasks as academic employee will include:

• Supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.
• Dissemination of research results in scientific journals and conferences.

You will work in a research team with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark and abroad, including at least one longer period at a university outside Denmark.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. The master’s degree should preferably be within mechanical engineering and include good knowledge about manufacturing methods. Experience with numerical simulations and programming are also appreciated.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The period of employment is 3 years.

Application procedure

To apply, please read the full job advertisement here: Positions at DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Application deadline:8 May 2022

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and the sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

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DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.