Strategic research in additive manufacturing material extrusion

This opening refers to a post-doctoral position in the field of additive manufacturing via material extrusion with focus on fused disposition technologies. The candidate has a PhD or an equivalent experience. The aim is to reinforce industrial exploitation of the research results and the intellectual property position of the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) at campus De Nayer, KU Leuven (https://iiw.kuleuven.be/onderzoek/aml ).
The group is part of the research unit MaPS (Manufacturing Processes and Systems) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the KU Leuven, and the Faculty of Engineering Technology at the KU Leuven. Its activities are typically application-driven or application-oriented, and can rely on: a strong network with the industrial and services sector; presence at 6 intensively cooperating campuses spread across Flanders; and close collaboration with other disciplines as well as with more fundamentally oriented research partners, leading to a continuous interaction between fundamental and applied research activities.
The AML group is led by Professor Eleonora Ferraris ((eleonora.ferraris@kuleuven.be - +3215316944 - https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/nl/person/00054243) and it has been established with the purpose of providing applied and basic research in the field of additive manufacturing with focus on extrusion and jet based technologies, including fused filament fabrication and aerosol jet printing for biomedical and engineering applications. Because of the fast growth and the intensification of the activities, support in the management, supervision and research activities is needed resulting in the present open position.
The promotor of the Post Doc will be Prof. Dr. ir. Eleonora Ferraris and the candidate will be offered with a post-doctoral position in Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology (https://iiw.kuleuven.be/english) of KU Leuven (http://www.kuleuven.be/kuleuven/).

Project outline

The candidate is expected to support and expand current research lines of the group in the domain of additive manufacturing (AM) via material extrusion (MEX) with filament feedstock (also known as Fused Deposition modelling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).
FFF is one of the most known AM techniques for the production of thermoplastics based components. It is based on material extrusion, and it is thermal energy driven. @ AML, FFF is subject of extensive research. Projects and activities span from process monitoring via thermography principle and simulation, machine component development, 5 axes additive manufacturing, and printability study of innovative filaments, including metal, ceramics and naturally reinforced thermoplastic feedstock. The group regularly works with big industrial players of the field (Materialise, Deceuninck, Colossus, Ford…) via national, and international projects, fundamental and applied research. The FFF facility of the group include a Discovery 3D printer, several Prusa machines and an Anisoprint equipment for continuous fibre printing (topic under the lead and cooperation of Prof. Jan Ivens). Additional set-ups for proof of concepts and testing are also available. The group is also owner of a patent (WO2023012088 ), and applicant of another patent in the field. The group also offers an own developed simulation code (T4F3), available at https://iiw.kuleuven.be/onderzoek/aml/technologyoffer, able to estimate built temperature during printing.

Website unit

Responsibilities

• Identify exploitation route (e.g. licensing agreement) for the granted patent  
• Conduct research activities leading to the strengthening of the current patent application.
• Apply for research grants and support the identification of new project.
• Construct and maintenance of public awareness actions (including web site, webinar, and network profiles) together with all the group members. 
• Support research activities on composite printing
• Exploitation of results via scientific publication writing and conference participation
• Activities, data management and research procedures in brainstorming with the whole group

Profile

• You have a PhD in mechanical engineering, or in material science or an equivalent experience. 
• You have expertise in 3D printing, in particular in fused filament fabrication.
• You have expertise in electromechanical system, design, fabrication and testing.
• Expertise in composite is a plus
• Expertise in business development is plus
• You have English knowledge for professional use
• You are creative and a team worker
• You are entrepreneur by nature
• You are curious, and application driven with interest in science
• You have management and supervision skills.
• You have interest in project writing/you have project writing experience.

Offer

We offer you a post-doc position of 1 or 2 years, depending on the experience and salary level, meantime supporting you to applying for a personal grant and/or internal position aiming at reinforcing industrial exploitation and intellectual properties of the research group. We offer a challenging project with industrial valorisation potential. We offer a highly valued academic environment and the opportunity to play a key role in a multi-cultural environment.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Eleonora Ferraris, tel.: +32 16 37 28 84, mail: eleonora.ferraris@kuleuven.be or Mr. Jie Zhang, tel.: +32 15 68 81 00, mail: jie.zhang2@kuleuven.be.

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