PhD in computational mechanics

Join an exciting research project currently involving 15 researchers and funded by an ERC Synergy Grant.  The two PIs of this grant are Nicolas Moës and Jean-François Remacle.

The project will develop an innovative approach, X-MESH, to overcome a major difficulty associated with engineering analysis: we aim to provide a revolutionary way to track physical interfaces in finite element simulations using extreme deformation of the meshes. Unprecedented low computational cost, high robustness and accuracy are expected as the proposed approach is designed to avoid the pitfalls of the current methods, especially for topological changes. The project has emerged in a synergistic brainstorming between J.-F. Remacle (meshing methods) and N. Moës (computational methods). The key idea  is to allow elements to deform up to zero measure. For example, a triangle can deform to an edge or even a point. This idea is rather extreme and totally revisits the interaction between the meshing community and the computational community who, for decades, have striven to interact through beautiful meshes.

Six areas in fluid and solid mechanics as well as heat transfer are targeted. Interfaces will be either (i) material, i.e. attached to particles of matter (the interface between two immiscible fluids or the dry interface in a wetting and drying model) (ii) immaterial, i.e. migrating through the material (a solidification front, contact front, yield front in yield stress fluid flow or a crack front).

Successes brought by X-MESH are expected in the following engineering areas: safety design and maintenance, manufacturing processes, coastal engineering, energy efficiency, ocean modeling to cite a few. The project takes place in a stimulating environment mixing senior staff  with PhDs and Post-docs to produce and disseminate publications with open source pieces of software. It also intends to create a synergy at large with the computational communities dealing with interfaces and fronts in all fields of science: topology optimization,  superconductivity, tissue growth, hydrogel swelling, crystal growth, ferroelectric crystal etc. The current X-MESH has alreay more than 10 participants and we are seekign to expand.

The specific topic of the PhD will be discussed with the applicant based on his/her current skill and interest. Several positions need to be filled.

The PhD starting date is anytime after 01/01/2025 and positions will be filled as soon as interesting applications are received.

The salary after tax is about 2400 euros per month and the thesis is 48 months.

More information may be found on the project web site x-mesh.eu.

Where to apply

E-mail [email protected]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Simulation engineering

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Mathematics » Computational mathematics

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Mathematics » Applied mathematics

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Languages ENGLISH

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1

Company/Institute UCLouvain

Country Belgium

City Louvain-La-Neuve

Contact

City Louvain-La-Neuve

Website https://uclouvain.prd.k8s.portail.sgsi.ucl.ac.be/en/research-institutes/immc

Street Avenue Georges Lemaitre, 4 bte L4.05.02

Postal Code 1348