Lambèrt van Breemen

This PhD position at Eindhoven University of Technology offers an exciting opportunity to advance the field of Tomographic Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (TVAM), a cutting-edge approach to 3D printing that enables the fabrication of complex objects in a single step without support structures. The research is part of the M2i-funded project "Multiphysics Modelling of Tomographic Volumetric Additive Manufacturing Processes for Predictive Product Properties (MTV)", focusing on developing experimental and material-modelling foundations to make TVAM predictable, reliable, and ready for industrial adoption. As a PhD candidate, you will join the Processing & Performance section of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, collaborating closely with another PhD student working on process-scale modelling, as well as with the industrial partner Motion Imager and international academic collaborators. Your main tasks will include designing and building experimental TVAM setups for both simple and complex geometries, characterizing photopolymer curing behavior (including reaction kinetics, shrinkage, thermal effects, and mechanical property evolution), and developing physics-based constitutive material models to describe liquid-to-solid transitions and viscoelastic behavior under light exposure. You will validate these models using experimental data and apply them to complex printed geometries, contributing to integrated demonstrations of predictive TVAM processes with modelling and industrial partners. The position also involves publishing research results in leading scientific journals, presenting at international conferences, supervising MSc and BSc students, and participating in teaching activities. Through your work, you will help reduce material waste, enable "first-time-right" manufacturing, and advance digital twins for next-generation additive manufacturing. Applicants should have a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field. A strong interest in experimental setup development, mechanics, polymer physics, and/or additive manufacturing is essential. Experience with material characterization techniques such as rheology, thermal or mechanical testing is advantageous. Candidates should be motivated to develop into independent scientists, able to work in interdisciplinary teams, collaborate with industrial partners, and possess excellent English language skills (C1 level). The position offers full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. Salary is according to Dutch university scale P (€3,059–€3,881/month), with additional benefits including a year-end bonus, annual vacation pay, pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave, commuting and internet allowances, and a 30% tax compensation scheme for international candidates. The university provides high-quality training programs, technical infrastructure, on-campus childcare, sports facilities, and support for staff immigration. Applications should be submitted online via the provided link, including a cover letter, CV with publications, and contact information for three references. Only complete applications will be considered, and a pre-employment screening may be part of the selection procedure. The application deadline is February 12, 2026. For further information, contact the hiring manager Lambèrt van Breemen (Associate Professor) at [email protected] or [email protected].

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is offering three PhD positions in the field of sustainable printing, focusing on the development of next-generation inks and coatings in collaboration with Canon Production Printing. The positions are based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which is renowned for its research excellence and strong ties to the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, particularly in the Brainport region. The research aims to advance eco-friendly latex-based and UV-curable inks by integrating polymer science, rheology, and computational modeling. Two of the PhD positions will focus on the experimental design and study of novel ink systems, exploring how polymer chemistry, rheology, and curing dynamics influence mechanical performance and print quality. These roles involve formulating new ink systems, investigating the effects of rheology, drying, and curing on adhesion and wear resistance, and characterizing inks using advanced techniques such as synchrotron imaging, DMA, nanoindentation, and single-asperity scratching. The third PhD position centers on computational modeling, developing multi-scale mechanical models to predict ink behavior under mechanical and environmental stress, extending the Eindhoven Glass Polymer Model, and implementing FEM simulations. All positions involve close collaboration with Canon Production Printing and other PhD researchers, enabling a multidisciplinary and data-driven approach to ink optimization. The successful candidates will join the Processing and Performance of Materials group, working at the forefront of sustainable materials research with access to state-of-the-art experimental and modeling facilities. The positions offer full-time employment for four years, with a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional development, including teaching responsibilities. Applicants should hold a Master's degree in a relevant field, possess strong experimental or computational skills, and demonstrate fluency in English. The application process is online, requiring a cover letter, CV, and references. The position remains open until filled, with a formal deadline of December 3, 2025.

This PhD position focuses on developing a simulation-integrated strategy for polymers used in integrated circuit (IC) packaging, a critical area for ensuring the long-term functionality and reliability of microchips. The research is conducted jointly between the Soft Matter Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) section at KU Leuven and the Processing and Performance of Materials (P&P) section at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), under the supervision of Professors Lambèrt van Breemen and Ruth Cardinaels. The project leverages both experimental and computational approaches, combining state-of-the-art facilities for rheological, microstructural, dielectric, and electromagnetic characterization with advanced numerical modeling tools. Polymer-based IC packaging and polymer redistribution layers (PRLs) are essential for microchips, providing mechanical stability, electrical connectivity, and electromagnetic shielding. As microchips become increasingly complex and miniaturized, achieving dimensional accuracy and defect-free molding is paramount. The project addresses challenges such as warpage, delamination, and failure caused by differences in thermal expansion, processing-induced shrinkage, and mechanical stresses. The goal is to improve polymer material formulation, processing steps, and microchip design by developing a simulation-integrated toolbox. This toolbox will use experimental data to build analytical models, which are then implemented in a simulation framework for finite element-based predictions of material behavior at the microchip level. The framework will be applied to case studies focusing on mechanical robustness during thermal cycling and the integration of electromagnetic shielding in IC packaging. The research environment is highly interdisciplinary and international, with collaboration from IMEC, a leading R&D hub in nanoelectronics. The PhD candidate will spend time at both KU Leuven and TU/e, gaining exposure to diverse research cultures and facilities. The position offers full-time employment for four years, competitive salary and benefits, and opportunities for professional development, including teaching and coaching students. The candidate will be part of a vibrant academic community in the Brainport Eindhoven region, known for its high-tech industry and innovation. Applicants should have a master’s degree in materials science engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, with strong analytical skills, high grades, and a background in experimental characterization and/or numerical modeling of polymer-based materials. Fluency in English (C1 level) and motivation to work in both research groups are required. The application process involves submitting a cover letter, CV, publication list, and references online by 30 June 2026. Candidates should also apply to the corresponding KU Leuven vacancy to be considered for the joint PhD program. The position is fully funded, with additional benefits such as pension, parental leave, sports facilities, and support for international candidates. This opportunity is ideal for candidates seeking to advance their expertise in materials science, polymer engineering, and computational modeling within a collaborative and innovative academic setting.