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.

The goal of SPEED is to identify and predict the chemical, physical, and thermomechanical processes governing hypervelocity shock-induced detonation of Energetic Materials (EMs), with applications to advanced aerospace solid propellants. To this end, we have united four leading research institutions—two in Spain and two in Brazil—to drive a focused international collaboration at the forefront of research on EMs. IMDEA Materials (IMDEA) brings extensive expertise in Materials Processing, Thermodynamic Analysis, Materials Science, and Microstructural Analysis, playing a pivotal role in high-resolution chemical, physical and microstructural characterization of EMs under various conditions. A state-of-the-art X-ray Tomograph will be used to perform in-situ characterization experiments and provide comprehensive microstructural analysis of the samples before and after hypervelocity impact testing. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) provides specialized knowledge in Experimental Mechanics and Shock Physics, playing a pivotal role in mesoscale thermomechanical characterization and impact testing of EMs under various conditions. Notably, a state-of-the-art Hypervelocity Center will be used to perform hypervelocity planar plate impact experiments and hypervelocity perforation tests on different EM systems. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) provides specialized expertise in the formulation and implementation of constitutive models, particularly in the context of mean-field homogenization approaches and heterogeneous material behavior. Their advanced knowledge in developing constitutive models, such as crystal plasticity and dynamic fracture models, will enable detailed simulations of the thermomechanical behavior of EMs. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS has strong expertise in developing in-house finite element codes and utilizing commercial finite element software to conduct multiscale and multiphysics analyses of complex material systems subjected to extreme loading conditions. These competences will enable the execution of numerical simulations for impact tests, covering a broad range of impact velocities including the hypervelocity spectrum.

Synopsis

This PhD project focuses on the experimental characterization of EMs under extreme loading conditions, combining advanced facilities at UC3M and IMDEA Materials. The research aims to generate a unique dataset to understand the microstructural, thermomechanical, and reactive behavior of EMs subjected to a wide range of strain rates, temperatures, and hypervelocity impacts. The work will involve:

• Chemical, thermal, and microstructural characterization using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, burning tests, optical and electron microscopy, and high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, including in-situ tomography during mechanical testing. Thermomechanical testing across strain rates from quasi-static (10⁻³–10⁻¹ s⁻¹) to high strain rates (10²–10⁴ s⁻¹) using universal testing machines and Kolsky bars, with real-time diagnostics to capture ignition and detonation phenomena.

• Hypervelocity impact experiments—both planar plate impact and perforation tests—using UC3M’s two-stage light-gas gun, high-speed imaging (up to 10 million fps), photon Doppler velocimetry, and optical pyrometry. These tests will be conducted at velocities up to 5 km/s, enabling time-resolved characterization of detonation and energy release dynamics under aerospace-relevant conditions.

More than 100 tests will be performed on representative EM systems, including sucrose, AN/sucrose and KNO₃/HTPB. The resulting datasets will be used to calibrate and validate multiscale, multiphysics constitutive models, linking microstructure to ignition sensitivity, detonation dynamics, and mechanical response. This project offers hands-on experience with state-of-the-art facilities and a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on the dynamic behavior of energetic materials, addressing critical challenges for aerospace propulsion.

Research outputs

Development of novel experimental techniques for in-situ characterization and comprehensive microstructural analysis of samples before and after hypervelocity impact testing, along with the generation of hypervelocity planar plate impact and perforation test data on various energetic material systems. The Hypervelocity Center at UC3M is fully equipped to conduct plate-impact and perforation experiments, featuring gas guns capable of launching projectiles at velocities up to 7.5 km/s, ultra-high-speed cameras operating at up to 10 million frames per second, photon Doppler velocimetry systems, ultra-high sampling rate oscilloscopes, and advanced LED and laser illumination systems. The In-Situ Processing and Mechanical Characterization Center at IMDEA offers state-of-the-art facilities, including next-generation X-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy for high-resolution microstructural and mechanical characterization. In addition, the recruited researcher will have access to computational resources, including licenses of ABAQUS, Matlab and Mathematica, and several workstations.

We are looking for highly motivated early-stage researchers with the following profile:

• A master's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, physics or a related field.
• Knowledge of fracture process of materials, high-strain rate mechanical testing
• Experience with microstructural analysis (highly desirable).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proactive attitude.
• Fluent in English (written and oral).
• Hands-on mentality, good organizational and communication skills
• Quick learner and comfortable working in novel environments.
• Ability to set up new experiments based on requirements.
• Willingness to travel

An opportunity to work on cutting-edge research with significant potential for medical innovation. Access to state-of-the-art facilities for materials processing and characterization. Experiments – he/she will master singular experimental techniques using the unique facilities the In-Situ Processing and Mechanical Characterization Center of IMDEA and of the Hypervelocity Center of the UC3MTraining activities. The successful candidate will have access to the PhD program of the University Carlos III of Madrid as well as to different training activities, e.g.:

1. i) Attendance to prestigious international conferences on Solid Mechanics and Materials Science.
2. ii) Attendance to technical courses on materials science and continuum mechanics organized by different prestigious institutions, e.g. the International Center of Mechanical Sciences (http://www.cism.it/) and Texas A&M University (Computational Materials Science Summer School – Texas A&M University).

Support for personal and professional development throughout the PhD program.

The successful candidate will be hired for a four-year position under a prestigious research grant and will receive a competitive financial package, with a gross annual salary of approximately 23–26 k€.

Incorporation: Preferable first trimester 2026