PhD position “Unraveling the precipitation kinetics in nanosteels by small-angle neutron scattering”

Precipitation strengthening is a powerful metallurgical tool to gain strength in nanosteels for future automotive applications. This project aims to unravel the fundamentals of nanoscale precipitation strengthening to create precipitate structures with optimal properties. In this project Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) will be used as primary technique. SANS is excellently suited to in-situ probe the precipitate size distribution in the size range of 1-100 nm during thermal processing. The experiments will be performed both at the SANS instrument at the Reactor Institute Delft and at international neutron facilities. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with research groups in the field of modelling and electron microscopy and with industry.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with an afinity for physics, metallurgy and advanced characterization techniques. A strong background in Physics, Materials Science or Chemistry is required. Experience with X-ray/neutron scattering is not required, but can be an advantage. It is important that the candidate enjoys collaborations and has good written and spoken communication skills in English.    

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!

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy group of the Radiation Science & Technology department focuses on fundamental processes in next generation materials in the field of magnetocaloric materials, hydrogen storage, solar cells and advanced structural materials.

The group performs research on functional and structural materials aimed at practical applications. The focus is on the study of the relations between structure, dynamics and function at the atomic and nanoscale. For this we use neutrons, X rays, positrons, Mössbauer spectroscopy and first principles modeling, at both local (RID) and international facilities. The direct access to these facilities and collaborative atmosphere represents a stimulating environment for research and development.

For more information: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/faculty-of-applied-sciences/about-faculty/departments/radiation-science-technology/research/research-groups/fundamental-aspects-of-materials-and-energy

The contract duration is 4 years, and preferable starting date is January 2023.

For more information please contact Dr. N.H. van Dijk ([email protected]). Additional contacts: Dr. Erik Offerman, TU Delft, email: S.E. [email protected] and Dr. Steven Parnell, TU Delft, email: [email protected].

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before October 19th, 2022 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Precipitation strengthening is a powerful metallurgical tool to gain strength in nanosteels for future automotive applications. This project aims to unravel the fundamentals of nanoscale precipitation strengthening to create precipitate structures with optimal properties. In this project Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) will be used as primary technique. SANS is excellently suited to in-situ probe the precipitate size distribution in the size range of 1-100 nm during thermal processing. The experiments will be performed both at the SANS instrument at the Reactor Institute Delft and at international neutron facilities. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with research groups in the field of modelling and electron microscopy and with industry.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with an afinity for physics, metallurgy and advanced characterization techniques. A strong background in Physics, Materials Science or Chemistry is required. Experience with X-ray/neutron scattering is not required, but can be an advantage. It is important that the candidate enjoys collaborations and has good written and spoken communication skills in English.    

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!

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy group of the Radiation Science & Technology department focuses on fundamental processes in next generation materials in the field of magnetocaloric materials, hydrogen storage, solar cells and advanced structural materials.

The group performs research on functional and structural materials aimed at practical applications. The focus is on the study of the relations between structure, dynamics and function at the atomic and nanoscale. For this we use neutrons, X rays, positrons, Mössbauer spectroscopy and first principles modeling, at both local (RID) and international facilities. The direct access to these facilities and collaborative atmosphere represents a stimulating environment for research and development.

For more information: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/faculty-of-applied-sciences/about-faculty/departments/radiation-science-technology/research/research-groups/fundamental-aspects-of-materials-and-energy

The contract duration is 4 years, and preferable starting date is January 2023.

For more information please contact Dr. N.H. van Dijk ([email protected]). Additional contacts: Dr. Erik Offerman, TU Delft, email: S.E. [email protected] and Dr. Steven Parnell, TU Delft, email: [email protected].

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before October 19th, 2022 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.