Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Mechanical and production Engineering programme. The position is available from 01 August 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title:
Next-gen polymer SLS printing  

Research area and project description:
This research project focuses on advancing polymer-based additive manufacturing (3D printing) using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The aim is to expand the current capabilities of polymer SLS, transitioning from printing neat polymer materials to more advanced composite materials, and exploring the intentional creation of porous structures. Unlike traditional approaches where pores are viewed as defects, this project actively investigates how these pores can be controlled and optimized to achieve tailored mechanical and functional properties.

The project will include extensive experimental activities, such as designing and executing systematic laboratory experiments to investigate how various printing parameters influence pore formation. Additionally, mechanical testing and characterization of printed parts will be a core element, providing insights into the structural properties resulting from controlled porosity.

Alongside experimental work, the candidate will conduct detailed computational modelling to understand the fundamental processes governing pore formation during SLS printing. Computational methods will include particle-level modeling using OpenFOAM as well as multiphysics simulations with COMSOL to capture the complex interactions occurring during the printing process.

Project description: For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.

Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have completed Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) and at least one year of a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) when enrolling in the programme.

The ideal candidate should have:

• Experience or familiarity with additive manufacturing methods, especially polymer-based processes.
• Solid analytical skills, capable of independently analysing experimental data and computational results.
• MSc-level knowledge in computational modeling, particularly using software such as COMSOL or OpenFOAM, for heat transfer and low-Re fluid flows
• An interest in conducting experimental lab work, including designing tests, performing mechanical characterization, and evaluating material properties.
• Good understanding of polymers, composites, or related materials.
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and oral

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Production and Mechanical Engineering, Katrinebjergvej 89 G-F, 8200 Aarhus N., Denmark.

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:

• Michal Kazimierz Budzik, mibu@mpe.au.dk (main supervisor)
• Michael Sandberg, ms@mpe.au.dk (co-supervisor)

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact: admission.gradschool.tech@au.dk

How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is: 01 April 2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Preferred starting date is: 01 August 2025.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.