POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW IN NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FAILURE OF COMPOSITE JOINTS

Physical Science and Engineering Division (faculty)

Saudi Arabia

May 16, 2024

The Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, invites applications for Postdoctoral fellow in Mechanical Engineering at the Mechanics of Composites for Energy and Mobility Lab. (MCEM).

Field of study:

Adhesive joints pose a significant challenge in ensuring the integrity of Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) pipelines networks, often emerging as a primary source of failure. The main challenge is to have numerical models that are precise and reliable enough to achieve the optimum design of adhesive GRE pipeline joints.

The project aims to develop a virtual platform simulating the response of pipeline joints under operational loads and residual performance when populated with defects.

The project will be organized around 3 main activities:

• Developing advanced constitutive models for adhesive GRE pipeline joints.

• Developing a parametrized numerical tool for modeling adhesive composites joints.

• Conducting a numerical investigation into the impacts of defects on pipeline mechanical integrity.

The work will be developed in the context of an industrial consortium “ENERCOMP”, which is a joint consortium between KAUST and Aramco to serve the development of the energy sector.

The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Solid mechanics, applied mechanics, or other relevant discipline. He/She must have a strong background in one or more of the following fields: Fracture, damage mechanics, mechanics of composite materials. The candidate should also have a good knowledge of finite element methods (FEM) and have experience in developing subroutines (UMAT, VUMAT) and python scripts of Abaqus. For any appointment at MCEM, an in-depth knowledge of theoretical mechanics is a firm requirement.

A high level of self-motivation, a strong publication record, and a good command of oral and written English, the ability to work in a team, as well as alone, and good organizational skills are essential.

Other duties:

The Post-doctoral fellow will be actively engaged in student mentoring (directed research, Masters thesis students). He/She will also be in charge of developing further the facilities of the laboratory. The candidate will also be in charge of delivering regular reports related to the associated grant.

Appointment:

One year renewable by mutual agreement. The candidate is expected to join the team as soon as a successful interview has been completed.

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, the successful candidate will enjoy a generous benefits package, details can be provided by Human Resources.

Only applications providing all requirements will be considered further.

Applicant requirements are as below. They should be numbered and attached to the application in the following order:

1. Detailed CV including list of publications, awards, with the potential start date.

2. A short statement of previous work, title of the post-doc fellowship you apply for, and a description of your vision and of your research plan on that field (the document does not need to be extensive - no more than one A4 page – but should be very high quality. It should clearly highlight a vision of the candidate in the field, a prior understanding of the related literature, and the definition of key steps towards innovative results in the field. Special care should be given by the candidate to this document, which is a key element of the decision process towards recruitment).

3. Names and contact information of three referees.

4. Slides from a recent presentation in a conference or seminar.

5. PDF of a recent publication considered by the candidate as being representative of his research work.

Interested applicants should send their complete application package to Prof. Gilles Lubineau ([email protected]) (With a systematic cc to [email protected] and

[email protected]).

PLEASE USE this as the subject of your email: Post Doc ENER-joints modeling.

Note: Applicant will be evaluated on a rolling basis and closed as soon as the position is filled.