PhD position (m/f/d) | High-Throughput Atomistic Simulations of Microstructure-Induced Failure

The International Max Planck Research School for Sustainable Metallurgy (IMPRS SusMet) offers the PhD position

• for students from developing countries
• in full-time for four years
• fully funded via DAAD scholarship and IMPRS SusMet

The PhD project will be carried out in the Microstructure & Mechanics Group of the Computational Materials Design Department of the MPI for Sustainable Materials. It will be supervised by Prof. E. Bitzek (atomistic microstructure simulations), Dr. J. Janßen (high-throughput methodology), and Dr. J. Best (experimental validation). Its focus lies on improving the longevity of materials by identifying weak spots for damage nucleation in the microstructure and developing processing and alloying strategies for their fortification or removal. To this end, high-throughput, massively large-scale atomistic simulations with machine learning potentials will be performed on realistic microstructures under various loading conditions.

What we do

Discover with us the essence of Sustainable Metallurgy in our structured, international doctoral program, conducted entirely in English. We take an intensive interdisciplinary approach and bring together scientists from across the globe in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region of Germany. Metallurgy has provided humankind with materials, tools, infrastructure, and means of transportation for over five millennia. However, this extraordinary engineering success story has also become one of our generation's most significant single industrial environmental burdens. The IMPRS SusMet works towards disruptive innovations in chemical, mechanical, and plasma processing of metal ores for primary synthesis, secondary synthesis, and recycling, as well as on improving the longevity of materials in service.

What we offer

• Cutting-edge research in an excellently equipped and dynamic work environment
• Well-structured curriculum and close supervision of the PhD projects, including regular status meetings
• An international, diverse, and open-minded community with outstanding opportunities for collaboration and career development

Your profile

• Excellent master’s degree in physics, materials science, or related field
• Knowledge about the microstructure and mechanical properties of metals
• Proven programming expertise, e.g. in python
• Very good English skills
• Ideally, prior experience with atomistic simulations, e.g. with LAMMPS
• You have not been living in Germany for the past 15 months.
• Your Master’s degree is not older than six years.
• You have not yet completed a PhD.

Required documents

• Motivation letter
• CV
• Bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcript of records
• Certificate of very good English knowledge (IELTS, TOEFL, or similar)
• A recommendation letter from one of your university professors using the DAAD form to be sent by the professor to susmet@mpie.de

Funding

1. A scholarship is provided in the framework of the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
   After nomination by IMPRS SusMet the successful candidate therefore has to apply to DAAD formally.
2. IMPRS SusMet provides additional funding of 500 Euros per month.

Application

Application deadline: 18.08.2024
Starting date: 01.11.2024 or individually later

Please apply online here.
We don't accept applications via post or e-mail.

We are committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourage them to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Contact

Elke Lorenz
susmet@mpie.de
https://www.mpie.de/2747306/doctoral-program