Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Advanced Multi-Functional Materials

Job description

General

Advanced materials, materials applications and manufacturing methods rely on the fundamental understanding of the physics and mechanics of the underlying microstructure and the influence of complex processing steps affecting this microstructure, governing the mechanical behavior of materials under various loading conditions. The development of this fundamental understanding requires bridging the gap between science and technology in the area of processing, analysis and design, through the use of novel experimental tools. The experimental analysis, theoretical understanding and predictive modelling of a large range of problems in engineering involve different length scales, each of which necessitates dedicated experimental methods forming a hand-shake with skills from the mathematical and computational domain.

Conventional materials are endowed with a morphology and microstructure that is designed and processed up-front, and which is not purposely altered thereafter. Allowing materials to change morphology and properties over time (the 4th dimension) in a controlled manner, enables materials to behave as actuators or sensors, or to be programmable. Hybrid materials are key for next-generation engineering systems, but also for combining synthetic and natural materials in advanced sensors and actuators, soft robotics, wearable devices, BioMEMS, organ-on-a-chip, and implants.

Research field of the candidate

The Department of Mechanical Engineering of the TU/e seeks to hire an enthusiastic faculty member who should play a leading role in addressing challenges and trends in one of the research areas

• Advanced Multi-functional 4D Materials
• Experimental composites engineering for high-performance & circularity
• Materials for soft sensing, soft actuating for wearable e-health applications

We welcome you to apply to a (tenure-track) assistant, associate or full professor position and you are expected to have knowledge of new materials and manufacturing techniques and relevant application fields of mechanical engineering. The candidate should have an aspiration to establish an own research profile and demonstrate a clear strategy on how to contribute to the internationally renowned research of our department. It is the vision of TU/e that staff fosters a collaborative network with other academics working on the topic within the department, interdisciplinary within and beyond TU/e’s research institutes, as well as with industry.

Education

You will contribute to the existing BSc program Mechanical Engineering and the MSc program Mechanical Engineering within the department. You will be supported in obtaining the University Teaching Qualification (‘BKO’). Next to teaching, you will mentor, guide and supervise BSc and MSc students with their study progress, internship and graduation projects and PhD students.

Embedding

The candidate will co-operate with existing research sections in the Department, in particular the sections Processing and Performance of Materials (formerly Polymer Technology), Mechanics of Materials, and Microsystems. Depending on the function level to which the candidate applies, the candidate’s own group can be embedded in one of these sections. The department fosters a personnel strategy stimulating personal growth towards faculty forming individual groups within larger coherent research programs.

The candidate will be specifically embedded in the Materials Technology institute (MaTe) within the University and also in one or more of the national research schools Engineering Mechanics (EM), Eindhoven Polymer Laboratories (EPL) and J.M. Burgerscentrum (JMBC).

Job requirements

Depending on which level you are applying for:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or comparable domain.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, demonstrated for instance by relevant PhD thesis and/or publications.
• Ability to teach, shown by experience or assistance in teaching and positive evaluations of these teaching efforts.
• Periodic maintenance of the assigned education components.
• Carry out independent research for the purpose of science, government and the industrial sector.
• Contribute to the recruitment of second and third flow of funds (i.e. public and private funding).
• Co-supervising academic personnel in carrying out research.
• Contribute and/or provide leadership to working groups, committees or project teams in the department.
• Strong industry network; proven by joint collaborations, projects, and publications.
• Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills demonstrating the potential of building your own research team.
• Excellent proficiency (written and verbal) in English.  

Conditions of employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the autonomy to develop your own research line and participate in the curriculum of the department. 
• A Tenure Track of five years with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. After a maximum of four years, the tenure decision will be made. If you have a more senior profile, you will receive a tailor-made career proposal. 
• As an Irène Curie Fellow, you are entitled to a substantial start-up package to kick-off your career.  
• You will have free access to high-quality training programs for academic leadership, the university teaching qualification program, research and valorization competences, and a dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment. 
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. 
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary. 
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.  
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as the Dual Career Opportunity program to support accompanying partners, an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children daycare and sports facilities. 

Information and application

Information

Information about the department of Mechanical Engineering and about the sections via Processing and Performance of Materials, Microsystems, Mechanics of Materials can be found via: Groups

Questions regarding the academic content of the position can be directed to
dr.ir. J.A.W. van Dommelen, j.a.w.v.dommelen[at]tue.nl

For more information on working at the TU/e and employment conditions, click here or contact
Elly van den Eertwegh, Talent Attraction Consultant, e.a.m.v.d.eertwegh[at]tue.nl.

Application

This vacancy is part of the Irène Curie Fellowship and is currently only open for female candidates. Male applicants will not be considered for the position.  
 
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page. 
The application should include a: 

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position. 
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. 
• List of five self-selected ‘best publications’. 
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages). 
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages). 

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled. 

The Irène Curie Fellowship program is dedicated to reach at least 30% female researchers among TU/e’s permanent academic staff by 2024 and contributes to the societal goal of promoting equal opportunities and a society in which everyone's abilities are utilized. It has been endorsed by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights in March 2021.