PhD Position Origins of train-induced vibration - identification, characterization and detection

Will you enable silent trains for urbanization while earning a PhD? 

Within the research program STEM – “ SpoorTrillingen Emissie Model (Track vibration emission model)” – ProRail, TNO, Deltares and TU Delft will work together to investigate the origin and propagation of vibrations in typical Dutch railways, and to develop a calculation tool embedding the accumulated knowledge with which track vibrations and effects of mitigation measures can be calculated.

Context:

Railway is the backbone of sustainable mobility. The section of Railway Engineering at the department of Engineering Structures within TU Delft's Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences deals with the physical assets of the railway system, including track, embankment, rolling stock and catenary, as well as the interfaces and dynamic interactions between them. The research, innovation, development and education of the section concern the whole life cycle of the assets, from design, construction, operation, degradation, monitoring, maintenance to retrofit, as well as the data-driven intelligent management of the assets, taking into consideration of the performance of the whole railway system. The section plays a leading role in the TU Delft Rail Institute (DelftRail). 

Project description:

Railway trains can induce ground vibration that is annoying to residents nearby the tracks. The urgency to eradicate such nuisance grows by the day with the increasing urbanization and importance of railway transport. As a PhD candidate, you will develop methods to identify, characterize and detect the main origins of the vibration, by way of numerical simulation and physical testing (both in the lab and in the field). 

You will work with a team of junior and senior researchers, including PhD candidates and professors, as well as railway and geotechnical engineers who will help with the practical aspects of the nuisance. The results will be implemented in software that will be used for track structure maintenance and design, as well as in train-borne measurement systems that can monitor railway networks for vibration nuisance prevention.

We are looking for a candidate with an MSc degree in Mechanical, Civil, Geotechnical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field. Knowledge of dynamics and vibration and experience in finite element modelling are required. Experience with measurement and signal processing will be a plus. 

You should have a high level of proficiency in written and spoken English, and very good communication skills. You are expected to cooperate with other members of the research team and external partners.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals and supports its scientists in integrating Open Science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

The department of Engineering Structures focuses on the design, mechanics, materials, and construction of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures as well as on the structures for energy transition. Within these main themes research is carried out into the dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, multi-scale characterization and modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. The groups are using the Macro-mechanic Laboratory (Stevinlab 2) for micro-scale to full scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. The department delivers a large number of courses both at the BSc and MSc level.

For additional information (other than application procedure), please contact Prof. Zili Li ([email protected] )

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 25 June 2023 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.