Department of Mechanics: Vacancies: UCEEB Postdocs

From Wiki @ Department of mechanics
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Announcement

The Czech Technical University in Prague - University Center for Energy Efficient Buildings (UCEEB) offers six post-doctoral positions in the field of modeling, simulation, assessment and optimization of multi-functional materials and structures.

Start date: as soon as possible after 27 September 2013, until all positions are filled
Contract duration: until 30 June 2015 (with a critical evaluation after the first year)

UCEEB in brief

Launched in October 2012, UCEEB is a newly established joint project of five faculties of the Czech Technical University in Prague. The mission of the Center is to perform high-level interdisciplinary research in the field of energy savings in buildings, utilizing a simulation- based engineering approach. The theoretical research activities will be systematically complemented with experimental validation, performed in a full-scale setting. This will provide unique data on materials, structures, and systems of intelligent control, including on their impact on the built and natural environment. Development of the Center is supported by the European Union through the Operational Program Research and Development for Innovations, project No. CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0091.

Project organization

The present project integrates six different topics aligned with the research activities of UCEEB. Each topic will be supervised by a mentor from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, with long-term experience in the relevant fields of research. The project is supported by the European Union, through the Operational Program Research and Development for Innovations, project No. CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0034.

The mentors involved in the project include, in alphabetical order:

Research topics

Advanced design and evaluation procedures of complex material experiments

Mentor: Zdeněk Bittnar

Description: The work on this project will be focused on the following sub-topics

  • formulation of possible criteria quantifying the robustness and optimality of an experimental setup, assessment of their efficient evaluation,
  • limitations for analytical and numerical solutions of an experimental design problem with respect to the complexity of a material model and description of the design variables,
  • comparison of different algorithms for robust optimization of a resulting multi-objective optimization problem,
  • investigation of the possibilities for re-usage of surrogates constructed for experimental design further in parameter identification,
  • formulation of Bayesian inference for parameter identification with uncertainties and the attention will be focused particularly to modeling and identification of the transport properties in porous construction materials,
  • testing the experimental designs on the basis of virtual experiments simulated by the stochastic finite element method.

All these steps will be developed as a support to experiments in a unique climate chamber, available in the UCEEB center.

Specific requirements: Numerical methods and scientific computing, basic programming skills (in C/C++, Python, MATLAB or similar languages), background in inverse problems or stochastic finite elements is a strong plus.

Studies on new generation of light-weight building envelope elements

Mentor: Petr Hájek

Description: The aim of a research project is to find an optimum solution for new generation of non lead-bearing light-weight prefabricated building envelope elements. One of the final visions is to develop a building envelope with partially changeable thermal performance, with the heat loss near to zero, with energy production over some period of time. Such envelope should support the overall solution of the building in the best way. In general, priorities will be given to renewable and recycled materials. The frame with optimal structure should be wooden-based. The composition of layers in opaque part of the envelope will be a subject of advanced mathematical simulations, especially for situation with integrated photovoltaics and with increased thermal inertia created by using of phase change materials (PCM) and thin layers of high performance concrete (HPC). Thermal insulating layers should consist of traditional and advanced materials (super-insulations) or of their optimal combination. The photovoltaic electricity should be used indirectly or directly in the building interior. The work will cover the mathematical simulations (multidimensional heat transfer under non-steady conditions etc.) in several steps, starting with design of experiments, further supporting experiments in small scale, real experiments in full scale (climatic chamber, real exposition). Other important phenomena of building envelope will be analyzed as well, especially moisture transfer and air-tightness.

Utilisation of ultra-high performance silicate composites in façade panels for sustainable buildings

Mentor: Petr Hájek

Description: The aim of a research project is to optimize high performance silicate composites based on locally available materials and non-conventional reinforcement (textile and fibre reinforcement) for highly efficient application in integrated façade panels for energy efficient buildings. The focus will be on utilisation of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in combination with different types of fibres and/or textile 2D or 3D reinforcement. Important part of the research will be fixing system of subtle façade elements to frame structure. The work will focus on experimental and analytical investigation, and numerical simulation. It will cover (i) laboratory work on composite mix and its composition with textile and fibre reinforcement, (ii) verification of mechanical and other physical properties by testing, (iii) development of nonlinear FEM model for parametrical simulation and optimization, (iv) full scale testing of façade elements. Essential part will be optimization of composite mix as well as complex façade elements with respect to structural, environmental and economic criteria. The project is a part of wider research focus of the research team on sustainable building construction using high performance materials.

Numerical and experimental analysis of concrete performance in irradiated environment

Mentor: Petr Štemberk

Description: The primary aim of this topic is to assess the effect of concrete composition on its long-term shielding performance when exposed to various types of radiation. Specifically, the following issues will be targeted: the effect of nanoparticles in composition, the possibility of release of nanoparticles from concrete, the activity of released nanoparticles, the possible reduction of thickness of shielding walls, the minimization of crack during construction technology. The results will be applicable for nuclear facilities and hospitals.

Specific requirements: Reasonable knowledge in the field. Basic programming skills in MATLAB.

Complex analysis of reinforced concrete structures under extreme conditions

Mentor: Petr Štemberk

Description: Reinforced concrete structures are designed according to standards, which consider the ordinary loading conditions and also the extreme conditions. Obtaining the design values for materials and loading under extreme condition is, however, rather difficult and it requires numerical or experimental analyses. Within the scope of this research topic, the extreme conditions will be investigated and methods for quantitative definition of extreme conditions will be proposed. The extreme conditions, which affect both load-bearing capacity and durability of reinforced concrete structures, will be of mechanical, thermal and chemical origin.

Specific requirements: Reasonable knowledge in the field. Basic programming skills in MATLAB.

Homogenization of heterogeneous materials

Mentor: Jan Zeman

Description: The focus of this topic is on the development of inexpensive analytical models to quantify e.g. thermal and acoustic properties of highly porous building materials utilized in energy-efficient buildings by exploring the available tools of computational homogenization or continuum micromechanics, according to research interests of the candidate. These models will serve as a support to developments of the research group "High performance building materials and structures" at the UCEEB center.

Specific requirements: Depending on the scientific background of the candidate, experience in numerical homogenization and in scientific computing, or in analytical micromechanics.

General requirements

We are looking for candidates who

  • hold a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in the research area related to the selected topic issued from 29 March 2008 until 16 September 2013,
  • have an ability to perform independent research with a strong emphasis on publications in refereed journals,
  • possess excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language.

We offer

  • the possibility to work in a newly established dynamic and ambitious research center with the state-of-the art equipment,
  • a contract with a duration until 30 June 2015, with a critical evaluation after the first year,
  • a gross salary of 56,000 CZK per month (approximately 2,200 Euro or 2,800 USD),
  • a partial coverage of the mandatory social and medical insurance by the employer (the employee has to contribute 6.5% of the gross salary to pension insurance, 4.5% to health insurance and, according to the currently valid legislation, approximately 16.5% is deduced as income tax),
  • the coverage of travel expenses of up to 55,000 CZK per year,
  • the coverage of operating costs of up to 40,000 CZK per year,
  • a three-month internship at a foreign university or a company.

Application

For more information, please contact the mentor using the e-mail address specified above.

Interested candidates are invited to send their applications directly to the relevant mentor no later than 16 September 2013. The application must contain

  • a Curriculum Vitae (one page),
  • a motivation letter (two pages), stating personal goals and research interests in relation to the research topic,
  • a detailed list of publications,
  • two letters of recommendation sent by the referees directly to the mentor (with detailed contact information: email, telephone number and address), one of them written by the previous supervisor,
  • a certificate of proficiency in English (CAE, TOEFL or equivalent) or an electronic copy of the candidate’s Ph.D. thesis written in English.

Both national and international applications to this advertisement are appreciated. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until all the positions are filled. Promising candidates will be contacted by e-mail, and will be invited for an on-line interview.

Important dates

  • 16 September 2013, 24:00: Deadline for application submissions,
  • 20 September 2013: Review of applications, promising candidates will be contacted by e-mail,
  • 23-27 September 2013: Final selection of the candidates by the selection committee,
  • 27 September 2013+: Personal interview at the Czech Technical University in Prague (with travel costs covered by the applicant), or a Skype conference.

Evaluation criteria

  • Publications in refereed journals (50%),
  • Assessment of the mentor (25%),
  • Quality of the motivation letter (25%).

UCEEB Postdocs-Logo.png

Retrieved from "https://mech.fsv.cvut.cz/wiki/index.php?title=Department_of_Mechanics:_Vacancies:_UCEEB_Postdocs&oldid=2542"