Department of Mechanics: Vacancies: UCEEB Postdocs

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Announcement

The Czech Technical University in Prague - University Center for Energy Efficient Buildings (UCEEB) offers ten 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 9 May 2014, and no later than 1 July 2014 (strict)
Contract duration: until 30 June 2015

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 five 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; 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.

Modeling of coupled cracking, creep and hygrothermal effects in construction materials II

Mentor: Milan Jirásek

Description: The postdoctoral Fellow will work on a comprehensive model and simulation tool for the description of coupled thermo-hygro-mechanical effects in construction materials, in particular concrete. The model will take into account inelastic deformation processes (such as cracking or plastic yielding), viscous deformation processes, transport of moisture, and heat conduction. Particular attention will be paid to the mutual interaction between the mechanical problem and the heat and mass transfer, e.g. to the effect of temperature and humidity on creep, or to the effect of cracking on diffusivity and conductivity.

Specific requirements: Experience with nonlinear finite element analysis, good background in viscoelasticity, plasticity and continuum damage mechanics, excellent programming skills (preferably C++ or similar object-oriented languages).

Ultra High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) in different loading conditions

Mentor: Petr Konvalinka

Description: The research work will be focused on experimental and numerical response of UHPFRC under intermediate strain rates developed in machine simulating impact. In addition mechanical parameters such as compressive, direct tensile and flexural strength and modulus of elasticity at high strain rates will be measured. The energy absorption capacity of both notched and un-notched beams subjected to quasi-static and impact loading will be compared.

Specific requirements: Depending on the specific background of the candidate, experience in experimental and numerical investigation of mechanical parameters of civil engineering materials and structures.

Wood-based materials II

Mentor: Petr Kuklík

Description: Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of wood and wood-based products by destructive and non-destructive methods. Investigation of microstructure of wood and wood based materials. Development of wood-based materials. Modification of wood and wood-based materials in order to enhance their quality (UV-stability, durability, fire resistance, etc.).

Specific requirements: Good knowledge of wood mechanics, experience with experimental work in laboratory, with emphasis on microscopic evaluation of wood and wood-based materials (the ability to work with electron microscope).

Development of advanced simulation tools

Mentor: Bořek Patzák

Description: Development of new algorithms which would enable efficient collaboration with architects and engineers during the conceptual design phase, based on an isogeometric approach, with attention paid to modular, object-oriented implementation, computational aspects (boundary conditions, coupling with regular FEM, multiphysics modeling, contacts), and scalable parallelization (multicore and GPU computing). Development of robust optimization tools to assist engineers in the selection of an optimal design.

Specific requirements: Good background in numerical methods and finite element method, programming skills (C/C++, Python).

Development of simulation tools based on isogeometric analysis

Mentor: Daniel Rypl

Description: Development of simulation tools based on isogeometric methodology to enable efficient collaboration with architects and engineers during the conceptual design phase, with attention paid to modular, object-oriented implementation, computational aspects (boundary conditions, coupling with regular FEM, multiphysics modeling, contacts), and scalable parallelization (multicore and GPU computing).

Specific requirements: Good background in numerical methods, finite element method, isogeometric analysis, programming skills (C/C++).

Design and analysis of laminated glass structures

Mentor: Michal Šejnoha

Description: The post-doctoral researcher will develop efficient numerical techniques for simulation of laminated safety structures, comprising of several stiff glass layers interconnected with compliant polymeric foil. The attention will be paid to accurate modelling of time/temperature-dependent response of the interlayer(s), in view of potential applications in energy-efficient glazing systems or photovoltaic panels.

Specific requirements: Good working knowledge of numerical methods, experience in modelling of laminated structures is a strong plus.

Numerical modeling of hydro-thermo-mechanical response of wood structures

Mentor: Michal Šejnoha

Description: The objective is to study the transport of vapor in timber frame constructions (e.g. walls, floors or roof elements). One particular concern is the occurrence of internal condensation and the ability of the construction to dry afterwards. Coupling the transport processes with the mechanical aspect will allow us to address the impact of moisture on wood durability, strength and stiffness. The dimensional stability of the construction part can also be predicted. As it is affected by the wood structural configuration, the concept of multi-scale modeling and homogenization will also be exploited in the numerical analysis. The random nature of wood properties will also be taken into account in the simulations.

Specific requirements: Basic programming skills (in C/C++, MATLAB or similar languages)

Fire resistance of timber based houses II

Mentor: František Wald

Description: Work will focus on experimental, numerical and analytical simulations of fire resistance of timber multi-storey buildings. Particular attention will be paid to the use of new isolation materials and its current dimensions, construction details, and electrical distribution systems, which can significantly, achieved values of curtain wall panels and wood-based discarded. Outputs will focus on the use of composite wooddeeper silicate materials with a focus on advanced reinforced concrete structure with the third generation of wires and their combinations. The innovation is working with the transition from the verification of individual elements to use behaviour of the structure as a whole, including the ceiling membrane behaviour in case of large deformations. The contributions will focusing gradually on the description of materials behaviour, the behaviour connectors, composite beams, and finally of a whole floor slab as and the behaviour of the entire structure weakened penetrations and openings.

Fire property of timber based panels II

Mentor: František Wald

Description: Work will focus on experimental, numerical and analytical simulations of fire properties of timber based buildings. The Full scale room test for surface products, according to ISO 9705:1993 will be used to describe the fire behaviour of new products under controlled laboratory conditions. Experimental work will be focused on full-scale fire testing and numerical simulation of fire in enclosure, i.e. in building interior. Particular attention will be head towards to fire characteristics verification of products for surface working of building structures (walls, ceilings etc.), their reaction to fire, contribution to fire growth and flashover effect, rate of heat release, analyses of combustion products etc. Fire testing will focused on progressive building products and components in their development process, on the products that cannot be or are not appropriate for small-scale testing (thermoplastics, composite materials, board products with junctions or joints, thermal insulation etc.) or on the products, where there is an eminent interest to verify their behaviour during real fire scenario.

General requirements

We are looking for candidates who

  • hold a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in the research area related to the selected topic dated from 29 March 2008 or later,
  • 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,
  • a gross salary of 56,000 CZK per month (approximately 2,050 Euro or 2,800 USD; the average gross salary in the Czech Republic is about 900 Euro),
  • 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 30 April 2014. 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 welcome. 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

  • 30 April 2014, 24:00: Deadline for application submissions,
  • 5 May 2013: Review of applications, promising candidates will be contacted by e-mail,
  • 6-9 May 2014: Final selection of the candidates by the selection committee,
  • 9 May 2014+: 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%).

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