Andrea Franchini
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Doctoral Fellow in Multi-Hazard Structural Design Under Fire and Blast Ghent University in Belgium
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Mechanical Engineering
Funding
Available
Deadline
Sep 30, 2026
Country
Belgium
University
Ghent University
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About this position
Doctoral Fellow in Structural Engineering at Ghent University
This PhD position is hosted by the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials (TW14) at Ghent University in Belgium and is part of a joint PhD between Ghent University and ULiège. The project is titled “Multi-hazard structural design under fire and blast: synergies, trade-offs and risk-informed optimisation.”
The research focuses on how civil engineering structures behave when exposed to fire, blast, and combined fire-blast multi-hazard scenarios. A key goal is to understand how geometry at both compartment and component scale influences performance under extreme loading. The work combines numerical modelling and experimental testing, making use of facilities at the partner institutions, including furnaces at ULiège and a radiant panel at Ghent University. The project also includes development and validation of predictive models with quantified uncertainty, probabilistic consequence models for risk-based decision-making, and a final structural optimisation framework to identify designs that balance performance across multiple hazards.
The supervisors are Prof. Andrea Franchini (ULiège) and Prof. Ruben Van Coile (UGent), with an advisory board also planned. This is a research staff position with a full-time doctoral fellow contract.
Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold an MSc degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Risk Engineering, or a related field. Experience in fire and/or blast science and engineering, structural dynamics, finite element modelling, and probabilistic methods is preferred, though the post also welcomes candidates who can demonstrate the ability to learn these skills. Strong English communication skills are required, together with a careful, organised, and collaborative approach to research.
Funding: the appointment is funded as a doctoral fellowship at 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The initial appointment is for 12 months and can be extended after a positive evaluation to a maximum of 48 months. The grant is tax-free if it meets the relevant doctoral fellowship regulations.
Application deadline: 2026-09-30 23:59 (Europe/Brussels). Applications should be submitted by email as a single PDF, including a CV, transcript of records, motivation letter, two recommendation letters, two references, and an English language certificate/IELTS score.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants must hold an MSc degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Risk Engineering, or a similar field. Experience with fire and/or blast science and engineering, structural dynamics, finite element modelling, and probabilistic methods in engineering is expected, or candidates must demonstrate the capability to learn these areas. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent written and spoken English, curiosity, organisation, attention to detail, the ability to take ownership of research direction, and teamwork are required. An English language certificate/IELTS score must be included, and a transcript of records, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and references are requested; if the transcript is not in French, Dutch, or English, it must be translated into English.
How to apply
Email the full application as a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject line “Prospective PhD Student Fire and Blast - Name Surname”. Include a CV, transcript of records, motivation letter, two recommendation letters, two references, and an English language certificate/IELTS score. Submit before 2026-09-30 23:59 (Europe/Brussels).
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