Postdoc Position in Structural Analysis and Dynamics of Large Modular Vessels

The Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering invites applications for a 24-month position as postdoctoral researcher within development of substructuring and reduced order modelling for structural analysis and dynamics of large modular vessels. The position is expected to start from the 1 October 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is the 12 June 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST).

What we offer

The postdoc position is part of the GrandSolutions project “LSP Ship Factory” spearheaded by the SDU Centre for Large Structure Production (LSP) and funded by Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD). The research considered within this postdoctoral position forms the core contribution from SDU Mechanical Engineering to the project and comprises a collaboration between the “Multiphysics Simulation and Optimisation (MSO)” and “Dynamics and Monitoring (DynaMo)” research groups. The goal of LSP Ship Factory is to jointly develop novel technologies for highly automated building, repair, and recycling of modular ship designs. Within this postdoctoral project, you will focus on developing efficient, accurate, and fast computational methods for evaluating the structural integrity of modules and the whole vessel, allowing for increased speed of modular vessel design.

Research environment
You will be co-supervised by Associate Professors Joe Alexandersen and Luis David Avendaño-Valencia and collaborate with other members of the MSO and DynaMo research groups, working on topics related to multiphysics simulation, structural optimisation, and physics and data-driven methods for structural dynamics. The position is hosted by SDU Mechanical Engineering (SDU-ME) in Odense, part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (SDU-IME). SDU-IME has been established to strengthen the existing specialist fields within mechanics, mechatronics, and electronics, aiming towards high-quality research and education for sustainable development with industrial relevance. The research of SDU-ME covers: mechanical design; monitoring and structural dynamics; multiphysics simulation and optimisation; fluid mechanics and heat transfer; fatigue and maritime structures. SDU-IME provides an exciting international environment, where you will be exposed to many different fields and have your general academic curiosity stimulated. As part of the LSP Ship Factory project, you will also collaborate with the SDU Centre for Large Structure Production (LSP) and the many industrial partners of the project consortium.

What we expect
It is strictly required that you have experience with:

• Structural analysis (mechanics and dynamics).
• Scientific programming (e.g. python, Matlab).
• Finite element analysis (FEA).

The ideal candidate will also have experience with some of the following:

• Plate and shell theory.
• Derivation and implementation of finite element methods (FEM) in code.
• Substructuring and/or reduced basis methods.
• Data driven and physics-informed machine learning for structural dynamics.

The position is full-time and in-person only, where you are expected to work primarily on-campus. Foreign candidates are expected to relocate to Denmark for the duration of the employment. In addition to the research activities involved in the project, you will be expected to contribute to activities at SDU-ME through project-relevant teaching and co-supervision of students.

Prior to the application deadline, you must have successfully defended a PhD thesis in a relevant discipline (mechanical/aerospace/civil engineering, computational mechanics, applied mathematics, etc.). If you have not received your final diploma by the application date, please include an official letter from your university/supervisor that you have successfully defended your PhD thesis and will officially graduate as soon as possible.

The working language of the MSO and DynaMo groups is English, so you will be expected to have a documented working level of written and spoken English.

Contact information
For information about SDU Mechanical Engineering, please see https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/sdumechanicalengineering . For information about the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, which encompasses SDU Mechanical Engineering, please see https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/ime-mekanik-elektronik .

Further information about this position is available from Associate Professor Joe Alexandersen (phone: +45 9350 7244, email: joal@sdu.dk ) or Associate Professor Luis David Avendaño-Valencia (phone: +45 6550 4771, email: ldav@sdu.dk ).

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk .

Application procedure
Before applying the candidates are expected to read the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering.

The application shall be in English and include:

• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 1 page).
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, describing research, publication and teaching experience, computational skills and including personal contact information.
• Verified copy of the official Masters diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• Verified copy of the official PhD degree diploma, both the original documents and in professional English translation – OR – statement from main supervisor and/or university that you have successfully defended your PhD thesis.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications, in case you have any publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication (only full text publications, no links).

The application may also include:

• Research statement
• Summary of experience in teaching
• Reference letters/References
• Documentation of other qualifications with relevance to the position

Reference letter
You should state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information.

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process .

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Conditions of employment
Appointment as postdoctoral researcher is temporary and for an initial 24-month period. Depending on the candidate’s performance and available funding, a contract extension may be possible.

Research will be predominant in the position. Project-relevant teaching and supervision assignments may occur to some extent.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on salary and taxation.

The application deadline is the 12 June 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST).

Formalities

• According to the University of Southern Denmark’s internal guidelines, there must be at least three qualified applicants to a position before it can be filled.
• Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.