2 postdoc positions on Multi-scale modeling of reactive wetting phenomena

☞ KU Leuven

Aussicht: 150

Update Tag: 26-11-2025

Ort: Leuven Flemish Brabant

Kategorie: IT - Software IT - Hardware / Netzwerk Informationstechnologie

Industrie: Onderwijs

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Jobinhalt

You will work at the Department of Materials Engineering of the KU Leuven (www.mtm.kuleuven.be). The Department is responsible for education, research and service to industry and society related to materials science and engineering. Both, the university KU Leuven and the Department of Materials Engineering are world-wide strongly positioned in the important rankings related to research, innovation and education. You will work on a large project supervised by 3 promoters of this Department, each with strong expertise in specific domains needed for the project, namely Professor Nele Moelans (phase-field and microstructure simulations, thermodynamics): https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/SCALINT/NMDM/research/microstructure/microstructure-simulations Professor David Seveno (molecular dynamics and nano-scale simulations, wetting theories): http://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Onderzoek/Composites/Research/Phys-chem/Main-page Senior research expert Muxing Guo (high-temperature experimentation and characterization, high-temperature metal-oxide reactions): http://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Onderzoek/Semper/Hitemp/research/pyro/Homepage

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Responsibilities

You will either implement and analyse MD simulations, or implement and analyse phase-field coupled to convection models, to study reactive wetting within the framework of the following project.


Wetting and interfacial reactions are important material processes and are critical steps in widely applied technological processes, such as joining and coating. The properties of the resulting joint or coating depend largely on the microstructure of thereaction product at the interface, which is itself in a complex way affected by the material properties and conditions during the wetting process. Better insights in the nano- and microscale processes during reactive wetting, and how they interact, are required to unravel these complex correlations. The aim of the project is to develop a multi-scale modeling approach considering all the energy dissipating processes on the various length-scales, using nanoscale molecular dynamics simulations and microscale phase-field simulations, and apply it to a number of relevant technological applications. The multi-scale framework will be supported and validated by specialized experiments and multi-scale characterization of the interfaces. These insights and such a computational model has great potential in guiding the design and optimization of material joints and coatings, and can reduce the development time of new materials in a wide range of technologies.
Profile

Candidates should have recently obtained a PhD degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or Materials Engineering with outstanding achievements.

Candidates should have a strong modelling and theoretical background in at least one of the following topics: molecular dynamics, phase-field methods, surface science, wetting, metallurgy.


Desirable: programming experience (Python, Matlab, C++, or other coding languages).


Language skills:ENGLISH: Excellent.


Candidates have to be hard working, enthusiastic and intelligent with a strong interest in understanding the fundamentals of materials behavior, as well as its implications for engineering applications. Candidates should also have a talent for conceiving modelling hypothesis and can realize them in a target-oriented manner.


We are searching for 2 researchers in total: 1 researcher on the meso- to microscale modeling and 1 researcher on the nano-scale modeling.

Offer

The opportunity to perform a postdoc at a highly ranked university (for early stage researchersafter their PhD)

International environment


Guidance by leading scientists


Competitive fellowship, social security, and other benefits


Expected starting of the working contract: 01.10.2021 or by agreement. We look forward to receiving your application until 20th August 2021. In case no suitable candidates are found, we reserve the right to re-open the call.

Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Nele Moelans, mail: nele.moelans@kuleuven.be (for the position on meso-scale microstructure modeling)
or Prof. dr. ir. David Seveno, mail: david.seveno@kuleuven.be (for the position on nano-scale molecular dynamics modeling)

Applications must contain:

  • An up-to-date CV, detailing work experience and research and academic achievements
  • A cover letter exposing the candidate motivation for the fellowship
  • At least two reference letters from a (former) supervisor, professor or a manager with contact information.
  • Scanned copy of the PhD degree which would formally entitle the candidate to embark on a post-doctorate position. If the degree has not been obtained yet, the applicant will have to ensure that the date of graduation will be earlier than the start date of the contract.
  • Transcript of records (applicant’s ranking and marks) for both Bachelor degree and Master degree.
  • A copy of an identity document.

An English language certificate is desirable.


Any document not originally in English must be provided together with an English translation

Important : You should clearly state what would be your primary field of interest in this project, namely (i) nano-scale molecular dynamics simulations (ii) mesoscale phase-field and convection simulations. Please only send your application to 1 promoter !! We will exchange the information among us. Applications send to more than 1 promoter will not be considered ! A first selection will be made based on this written application. A selected group of applicants will be invited for an interview.!!


You can apply for this job no later than August 20, 2021 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
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Frist: 10-01-2026

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