PhD-position – Advanced mechanical and physical characterization of sustainable matrices for structural composites

The Analysis and Advanced Materials for Structural Design (AMADE) research group in University of Girona is looking for candidates to fulfill a PhD position in the field of materials’ engineering and/or mechanical engineering. The open position is within the frame of a project funded by the Horizon Europe program and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The current increased awareness towards the environmental harm associated with synthetic fibers and matrices of traditional fibre reinforced composites has led to the exploration of sustainable constituents (natural fibers and recyclable or bio-based matrices), which are eco-friendlier than their counterparts. The PhD student will participate in a thorough characterization of resins, bio-based and vitrimers currently under development by associated partners, so that to assess their suitability as matrices for structural composites. Advanced mechanical properties as stress relaxation, creep, fatigue endurance, fracture toughness, self-healing, etc. will be explored and in some cases the underlying methodology developed. Physical properties as curing shrinkage, thermal dimensional stability or curing kinetics will also be explored in detail. Finally, the student will prepare and characterize hybrid composites using natural fibres and recycled carbon fibres using the best performant matrices.

We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a master’s in materials’ engineering, mechanical engineering or similar, specifically attracted to perform experimental rather than numerical or simulation, who are interested in conducting their PhD in a dynamic and highly international frame.