IRP12— materials science, physics, mechanical engineering

Research topic:

Viscoelastic mechanics of pulp fibers

Recruiting organization:

Graz University of Technology

Institute of Paper, Pulp and Fibre Technology

Application deadline:

March 11th 2018

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:

3 months

Salary

€ 38.200 per year, before tax

Benefits

25 days of paid holidays per year

For more information on the research topic or on the application procedure, contact the supervisor:

Ulrich Hirn

 

 

Scientific content

Viscoelastic and viscoplastic properties are of high importance for the end-use performance of cellulose fibre materials. The deformation of pulp fibres and paper always contains a permanent component, i.e., to some extent it is irreversible, even under small load. This irreversible part of deformation is of high importance e.g. in the behaviour of wood- or pulp fibre based composites or in converting of paper and paper products. In this research work we are investigating the viscoelastic and –plastic properties of individual pulp fibers.

Results: Mechanical tests on individual pulp fibers will be carried out under different loading modes (shear and normal load). These results are used to develop a material model of the fiber wall. The key research goals are

  • Understanding the viscoelasticity on different timescales and its response to variations the fibers’ moisture content.
  • Understanding the relation between the mechanical properties of the individual fibers and their fibril angle.
  • Insights about the relation between the viscoelastic/viscoplastic characteristics of pulp fibres and the viscoelastic/viscoplastic behaviour of fibre based properties and paper.

 

The general requirements for all FibreNet positions are:

  • 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 theEnglish language (spoken and written).

 

Special requirements for this position:

We are looking for candidates with a Master’s degree materials science, physics or mechanical engineering. Interest in optical microscopy and mechanical testing on the microscale is recommended. Knowledge in the field of cellulosic materials and their technology is an advantage.

 

How to apply:

Please apply per email to ulrich.hirn@tugraz.at.

 

Mandatory appendices:

  • a Curriculum Vitae,
  • a letter of motivation (maximum of one page),
  • the contact details of two references,
  • a copy of B.Sc. and M.Sc. certificates with grades list, and
  • a language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge Language Certificate (Proficiency CPE or Advanced CAE) if available.
  • A pdf file of the Master’s thesis or Bachelor's thesis

 

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