IRP1 — materials science, biocomposites, fibre-matrix interfaces

Research topic:	Microrobotic characterization of fibres and fibre-matrix interfaces
Recruiting organization:	Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland Micro- and Nanosystems Research Group and Laboratory of Materials Science
Application deadline:	March 11th 2018 (24.00 EET / 22.00 UTC)
Starting time:	June 2018 or as mutually agreed (1-2 months changes to the intended starting time are possible)
Contract duration:	36 months
Trial period:	The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a trial period of 4 months
Gross salary, before mandatory employer deductions (22%) AND income tax:	€4226.26 (for those without family) €4726.26 (for those with family or children at the time of the recruitment) The family status will be determined at the date of the (first) recruitment. For more details, see Section 5 of the MSCA-ITN guide.
Benefits	TUT offers a range of staff benefits e.g., occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent campus sport facilities, and restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Finland has one of the most advanced and comprehensive welfare systems in the world . It includes sickness, maternity, paternity and various family benefits, such as child-care services, and a comprehensive healthcare system. For more details, check the EU Comission’s document on social security rights in Finland
Tampere is the largest inland city in the Nordic countries and one of three most rapidly growing regions in Finland. Today, the city is best known for its high tech expertise and extensive know-how in various fields. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society (https://visittampere.fi/).

Scientific content

This PhD project contributes to the FibreNet objectives by focusing on novel microrobotic methods for mechanical characterization of fibres and fibre-matrix interfaces.

Finding a combination of fibres, adhesion promoter, and matrix which provides a desired combination of properties for the composite, is currently a tedious process. Furthermore, to study the initial properties as well as the degradation due to environmental effects of multi-component systems especially in micro-scale is challenging. In this project, the aim is to develop a novel microrobotic method to accelerate the product development process of fibre-based products and to study the fibre-matrix interface properties especially in micro-scale in different environments.

Results: The project will develop a microrobotic method for studying interfacial strength and fibre strength in biocomposites and biomedical applications. The microrobotic method can provide novel information about the influence of sizing and functionalization agents and environment conditions (temperature, moisture) at the level of individual fibres. The work is done in close collaboration with other individual research projects of the FiberNet project. The expected results of the project are as follows:

• Microrobotic method which can measure the fiber tensile strength and interfacial shear strength at a single fibre level in different environments,
• Information about the effects of sizing and functionalization agents on the mechanical properties of fibres and fibre-matrix interfaces, and
• Data about the environmental resistance of the fibres and the fibre-matrix interface.

 

The general requirements for all FibreNet positions apply here, i.e.:

• you may already be in a PhD program but you cannot be a PhD holder,
• you must have less than 4 years of research experience, i.e., you should be an early-stage researcher,
• you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the hiring organization for more than 12 months during the last 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment (short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account), and
• you should have a high-level knowledge of the English language.

 

Furthermore, the position-related requirements are:

• Master’s degree (finished at latest in July 2018) in materials science, material chemistry or other applicable Master’s degree, knowledge of polymeric materials, fibers and composites or material testing instrumentation and mechatronics is beneficial,
• enrollment as a doctoral student at TUT within four months after recruitment,
• positive attitude to both analytical and practical research work, and
• ability to work independently as a member of TUT research team and of the FibreNet community.

 

How to apply:

Applications must be submitted in English by using the TUT online application form for this vacancy.

 

Mandatory appendices:

• a Curriculum Vitae,
• a letter of motivation (maximum of one page),
• the contact details of two referees,
• a copy of B.Sc. and M.Sc. certificates with annexes, and
• a language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge Language Certificate (Proficiency CPE or Advanced CAE) if available.

 

For more infomation on:

• the research topic (scientific content), contact the supervisors: Assistant Prof. Essi Sarlin or Prof. Pasi Kallio.
• application procedure, contact: Ms. Päivi Peltonen.

 

In case no suitable candidates are found, Tampere University of Technology reserves the right to re-open the call.