TITLE OF POST: Post Doctoral Researcher in Finite Element Modelling & Optimisation of Composite

Joints
LOCATION: University of Limerick
REPORTS TO: Project Leader
CONTRACT TYPE: Specific Purpose
SALARY: €42,394 - €46,255 p.a.

JOB DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATIONS:

 PhD in Finite Element Modelling and Optimisation of Composites

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To design and optimise novel composite-to-metal joints using detailed three-dimensional finite element
analysis, and to manage the day-to-day activities of the project team.

DESCRIPTION:

A fully funded Post-Doctorial position in Finite Element Modelling and Optimisation of Composite Joints,
funded through Science Foundation Ireland’s Investigators Programme (www.sfi.ie), is currently available
at the University of Limerick. This project is titled Fastener-less Joining Technologies for High
Performance Hybrid Composites-Metal Structures, and aims to develop innovative solutions to join
composites to metals by blending the best elements from bolting and bonding technologies to result in
joints that will be reliable, reversible, cheap and efficient. The project has been awarded €1.35 million in
research funding, and will build a strong six-person team to develop novel joining solutions over the next
four years.

We are, thus, looking to hire a talented Postdoctoral researcher to design and optimise novel composite-
to-metal joints using detailed three-dimensional finite element analysis, and to manage the day-to-day
activities of the project team, which will consist of two additional post-doc’s and four PhD students. It is
essential that the candidate will have extensive experience in three-dimensional Finite Element Modelling
of Composites and/or composite joints, numerical optimisation of structures, modelling adhesives and
adhesive failure, and experience managing high level research projects and a small research team. It is
also essential that the candidate demonstrate a strong publication record and an ability to write project
deliverables. It is also desirable that the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in finite element damage
modelling of metals, ABAQUS, and finite element modelling using PTC-Creo or other finite element
optimisation codes.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to following areas, and experience in any or all
these topics should be clearly identified in the job application.

Research
 Contribute to the research programme of the PI
 Define research objectives and proposals for own (or joint) research in line with research strategy.
 Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support as appropriate.
 Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations / commercial exploitation.
 Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.

Job description
Research Management
 Plan, co-ordinate and implement research project (this will include managing a small research
team/co-ordinating other researcher activity).
 Manage own personal and research resources (including where required, laboratories, and
specialist equipment) appropriately.

Income Generation / Funding

 Identify sources of funding and pursue the process of securing funds.
 Work with PI to contribute to proposals for developmental purposes.

Research Outputs - Write Up and Dissemination

 Write up results from own research activity.
 Contribute to the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters,
book)
 Present information on research progress and outcomes e.g. to bodies supervising research;
conferences, steering groups; other team members, as agreed with the PI
 Where appropriate, work with PI to register patents to protect intellectual property.

Supervision
 Will act as an advisor to PhD students and be a member of a supervision panel.
 Participate in limited teaching hours for own development.

Policy & Standards

 Knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures, relevant to the role, which
may include broader University/ sector/ external sponsor or funder (e.g. Commercial Awareness,
Research Ethics, Knowledge Transfer, Patents, Intellectual Property Rights, Health and Safety,
Equal Opportunities & Diversity).
 Legal requirements regarding data protection and confidentiality data protection requirements.

The University of Limerick is considered one of the world’s leading academic institutions on the subject of
mechanical fastening of composites, and has published extensively on the subject. The University of
Limerick has led major EU research projects on joining science with top aerospace companies such as
Airbus and Bombardier, and is now breaking into the rapidly growing composites automotive sector. The
successful candidate will join a strong research team at the Materials and Surface Science Institute
(MSSI), which hosts the Irish Centre for Composites Research (IComp), where state-of-the-art
computational and experimental labs have been recently developed to design, manufacture and evaluate
mechanically fastened joints for high-performance lightweight composite structures. The project has a
number of collaborators such as the adhesives manufacturer Henkel and National Centre for Laser
Applications at National University of Ireland, Galway.

Essential Criteria:

 PhD in Finite Element Modelling and Optimisation of Composites

 Extensive experience in three-dimensional Finite Element Modelling of Composites and/or
composite joints
 Extensive experience in numerical optimisation of structures
 Extensive experience in modelling adhesives and adhesive failure
 Experience managing high level research projects and a small research team.
 Demonstrates a strong publication record
 An ability to write project deliverables
 Extensive project management experience
 PhD supervision and/or postdoc managing experience

Job description
Desirable Criteria:

 Demonstrate proficiency in finite element damage modelling of metals, ABAQUS, and finite
element modelling using PTC-Creo or other finite element optimisation codes.

Job description