Publisher
source

University of Freiburg

Doctoral Researcher in Strain-Rate-Dependent Effects of Defects in Composite Materials (Marie-Curie LEGEND) University of Freiburg in Germany

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Materials Science

Funding

Fully funded full-time 36-month doctoral contract under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Salary follows MSCA rules with a Living Allowance of 4,010 €/month (adjusted for host country), a Mobility Allowance of 710 €/month, and a Family Allowance of 660 €/month for researchers with a family, subject to taxes and deductions. Salary is also referenced as E13 TV-L.

Deadline

Aug 31, 2026

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Country

Germany

University

University of Freiburg

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Keywords

Materials Science
Aerospace Engineering
Computational Mechanics
Experimental Mechanics
Damage Mechanics
Finite Element Analysi

About this position

The University of Freiburg is advertising a fully funded doctoral researcher position in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Training Network LEGEND (Leading-Edge evaluation and GENeration of Defect-tolerance in composite structures).

The project is hosted at the Institute for Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) and is embedded in the Sustainable Engineering Materials / Dynamic Behavior of Materials research group. The research topic is strain-rate-dependent effects of defects in composite materials, with a strong focus on experimental mechanics, computational mechanics, high-rate loading, and rate-dependent material modelling.

You will plan and carry out quasi-static and high-rate mechanical testing of composite coupons with controlled embedded defects, use the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar for dynamic testing, and analyse X-ray and synchrotron computed tomography data. The project also includes image segmentation, finite element reconstruction of defect geometry, calibration and validation of a continuum damage mechanics model, and statistical derivation of defect-specific knock-down factors.

The position is part of a wider European doctoral network involving universities, research organisations, and industrial partners across six countries. You will benefit from structured training, network events, summer-school-style courses, conferences, transferable-skills training, and several months of research visits to partner institutions in Portugal and Spain.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, computational mechanics, or a closely related field. Strong English is required; German is optional. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rule applies, and applicants must still be doctoral candidates at the time of recruitment.

Funding: fully funded, full-time, 36 months. The post follows MSCA salary rules, including a living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance where applicable, with taxes and deductions applying.

Deadline: 31 August 2026. Applications must be submitted via the University of Freiburg online portal only.

Funding details

Fully funded full-time 36-month doctoral contract under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Salary follows MSCA rules with a Living Allowance of 4,010 €/month (adjusted for host country), a Mobility Allowance of 710 €/month, and a Family Allowance of 660 €/month for researchers with a family, subject to taxes and deductions. Salary is also referenced as E13 TV-L.

What's required

A Master's degree or equivalent qualifying for doctoral studies in mechanical, materials, or aerospace engineering, applied physics, computational mechanics, or a closely related field. Strong interest in linking experimental mechanics with numerical simulation is expected; prior experience with dynamic or impact testing, composite materials, image or tomography analysis, finite element methods, or scientific programming is advantageous but not required. Applicants should be collaborative, willing to travel for research visits and network events, and have excellent written and spoken English; German is welcome but not required. Eligibility is restricted to doctoral candidates who have not yet earned a PhD and who satisfy the Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rule (not having resided or carried out the main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the start date).

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