SHORT DESCRIPTION

IMDEA Materials seeks a motivated PhD candidate to contribute to the European Project on Digital Twins for Structural Health Monitoring. The primary objective of this project is to advance digital technologies that enable the creation and application of digital twins SHM in advanced structural composite materials.


OTHER DETAILS

Ref. num. 2024-CG-R1-205

PhD candidate – Physically based machine learning models for structural health monitoring of aerospace composite structures.


IMDEA Materials Institute is a public research organization founded in 2007 by Madrid’s regional government to carry out research of excellence in Material Science and Engineering by attracting talent from all over the world to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. IMDEA Materials has grown rapidly since its foundation and currently includes more than 120 researchers from 22 nationalities and has become one of the leading research centers in materials in Europe which has received the María de Maeztu seal of excellence from the Spanish government. The research activities have been focused on the areas of materials for transport, energy, and health care and the Institute has state-of-the-art facilities for processing, characterization and simulation of advanced materials.

More information can be found at our webpage.


Description

The candidate’s research activities will encompass multiple critical components ranging from the development of high-fidelity simulation models, with rigorous validation against physical industrial demonstrators and the development of the AI tools for the analysis. The project will strongly emphasise the development of physics-based machine learning techniques to achieve a novel approach to structural health monitoring (SHM). By embedding machine learning models grounded in physical principles, the project aims to make the digital twin a robust real-time monitoring tool capable of adapting to variations in material properties and process parameters. The ultimate goal is to enable automated health assessments of composite structures throughout their lifecycle, supporting predictive maintenance and extending the longevity of structural components in critical industries.


Requirements

Candidates should hold an MSc degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Data Science, Industrial Math, or related disciplines with excellent academic credentials and a solid commitment to developing an academic career in an international and multidisciplinary environment. Demonstrated experience in Machine Learning/Data Analytics and numerical simulation by FEM, including solid mechanics and programming (Python, etc.), will be valued. Fluent English (oral and written) is required.


Conditions

- 3.2 years contract with 1 year evaluation period.

- Full-time contract, including social security coverage.

- The post will remain active and open until filled.

- Expected start date: as soon as a viable candidate is found.


Applications are processed upon reception. The position might be closed once ten working days have passed since publication, so we encourage early application.

The working language of the Institute is English. Full command of the English language is required in all positions.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND AT IMDEA:

Stimulating environment where you can grow professionally.

IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and the promotion of a healthy work environment and work-life balance. Female applicants are encouraged to apply to our research and technical positions. See our Gender Equality Plan here and our Code of Ethics here.

Besides on-the-job technical training, IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to training the Institute’s scientists and staff in “soft” or transversal skills. See the available training here.

Meet some of our alumni to see what it is like to work with us.