PhD scholarship in Contact Dynamics for Micro Acoustic Devices

DTU, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Section for Solid Mechanics invites highly motivated and talented applications for a 3-year PhD position dealing with “Contact dynamics for micro acoustic devices”. The PhD project will be financed under the framework of CAMM (Centre for Acoustic-Mechanical Microsystems) - a multidisciplinary research centre running in collaboration with DTU Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and financially supported by three Hearing Aid companies from Denmark.

The research fields covered by the multidisciplinary PhD project span scientific areas such as contact mechanics, mechanical vibrations, vibroacoustics as well as numerical and experimental methods in mechanics. The goal of the PhD project is to develop a novel approach for tackling the challenging problem of analysing and tailoring highly uncertain contact conditions between various mechanical parts in microacoustic devices such as hearing aids. This may include the development of new theoretical contact models and numerical procedures as well as novel approaches to the design of mechanical parts with contact conditions. Experimental validation of the developed theory and procedures is an integrated part of the project.

Responsibilities and tasks
Your research task will include:

• Identify state of the art numerical methods for analysing contact mechanics and assess these methods’ applicability to dynamic analysis of microacoustic devices.
• Implement a numerical model for accurate and efficient prediction of the vibrational response.
• Plan and carry out experiments for validation of numerical predictions.
• Assess the variability in the vibrational response due to uncertainty of the contact conditions.
• Developing a strategy for improving the predictability of the vibrational response of microacoustic devices.

Furthermore:

• You are expected to contribute to DTU’s collaborations with the Danish Hearing Aid companies and help in the knowledge transfer from DTU to the CAMM’s industrial partners
• You will engage in DTU’s teaching activities and supervise Bachelor and Master Project students
• You will be responsible for the systematic planning and following up on your research project, compiling and storing your scientific data, and to ensure the scientific integrity of your research
• You will participate in international conferences, compose scientific manuscripts for publications, and take part in outreach activities

As a PhD student in CAMM, you will:

• Be a part of a creative and stimulating scientific environment
• Develop your theoretical and experimental skills
• Collaborate with experts in topics related to your project

We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international atmosphere with the focus on research, teaching, innovation, and scientific advice for the benefit of society. We offer a position with great flexibility, and we emphasize work-life balance. In the area of technical and natural sciences, DTU is one of the leading research and education institutions in Europe.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in engineering, physics, material science, or related fields. Documented experience with mechanical vibrations, vibroacoustics, finite element analysis or related numerical methods, etc. will help in the positive evaluation. Preference will also be given to candidates who can document their ability for scientific publications. We also expect that:

• You have the ability to focus and to achieve ambitious goals
• You are willing to develop any required skills and knowledge
• You are proactive and a good team player
• You have excellent communication skills in English - both written and spoken

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Jakob Søndergaard Jensen and Associate Professor Niels Aage.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Jakob Søndergaard Jensen (jsj@mek.dtu.dk), tel.: +45 4525 4280 and Associate Professor Niels Aage (naage@mek.dtu.dk), tel.: +45 4525 4253.

You can read more about DTU Mechanical Engineering at www.mek.dtu.dk.

You can read more about the Centre for Acoustic-Mechanical Microsystems at www.camm.elektro.dtu.dk.

Application
Please submit your online application no later than 22 January 2021 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
• Optional documents - English proficiency certificate (for instance TOEFL or IELTS), list of publications and any other documents that demonstrates your experience in the related areas of the proposed PhD project

Candidates may apply prior to ob­tai­ning their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Mechanical Engineering covers the fundamental engineering disciplines within Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering, Energy Systems and Energy Conversion, Materials and Surface Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Design and Product Development. The Department has a scientific staff of about 135 persons, 100 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 80 persons.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,000 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. Our main campus is in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen and we have campuses in Roskilde and Ballerup and in Sisimiut in Greenland.