The KU Leuven Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics division (LMSD) is searching for a research engineer to join their team.
Website unit
Project
- This PhD is part of a project aiming to develop innovative noise mitigation solutions for ducted flow systems where pressure pulsations are one of the main sources of noise, such as compressors and blowers. These pulsations propagate through the piping, leading to airborne noise radiation from the inlet or structure-borne noise by exciting vibrations of flow confining structures. Developing more silent systems therefore requires novel solutions to suppress the propagation of these pressure pulsations and their interaction with the environment, without affecting the energy efficiency of the system.
- As a researcher you rely on advanced modelling strategies to study innovative metamaterial solutions for suppressing pressure pulsations and/or the resulting noise radiation. You will use these tools to develop an efficient design strategy for novel silencer topologies and compare different promising metamaterial concepts. After an initial validation of the most promising designs in a controlled academic setting, you will test a prototype of the developed silencers on a real compressor unit to assess their performance under real-life operating conditions.
- The research is hosted by the Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics division (LMSD), which currently counts >100 researchers and is part of the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. KU Leuven features consistently in Europe's top-15 universities within the Times Higher Education ranking. Worldwide our university ranks #45 in the 2024 edition of the same ranking. The research group itself has a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrially relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both highly ranked academic journals as well as on industrial fora. More information on the research group can be found on the website: https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/research/mod/about and our linkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lmsd-kuleuven/.
Profile
If you recognize yourself in the story below, then you have the profile that fits the project and the research group.
- I have a master degree in engineering or physics and performed above average in comparison to my peers.
- I am proficient in written and spoken English.
- During my courses or prior professional activities, I have gathered basic experience with the fundamental principles of (vibro-)acoustics and related modelling (transfer matrix method, finite element method, …) and measurement techniques, and I have a profound interest in these topics.
- As a PhD researcher of the KU Leuven Noise and Vibration Research Group I perform research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between different theories and implement and improve methodologies myself.
- Based on interactions and discussions with my supervisors and the colleagues in my team, I set up and update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months to work towards my research goals. I work with a sufficient degree of independence to follow my plan and achieve the goals. I indicate timely when deviations of the plan are required, if goals cannot be met or if I want to discuss intermediate results or issues.
- In frequent reporting, varying between weekly to monthly, I show the results that I have obtained and I give a well-founded interpretation of those results. I iterate on my work and my approach based on the feedback of my supervisors which steer the direction of my research.
- I feel comfortable to work as a team member and I am eager to share my results to inspire and being inspired by my colleagues.
- I value being part of a large research group which is well connected to the machine and transportation industry and I am eager to learn how academic research can be linked to industrial innovation roadmaps.
- During my PhD I want to grow towards following up the project that I am involved in and representing the research group on project meetings or conferences. I see these events as an occasion to disseminate my work to an audience of international experts and research colleagues, and to learn about the larger context of my research and the research project.
Offer
- A remuneration package competitive with industry standards in Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and excellent health care system.
- An opportunity to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, typically a 4 year trajectory, in a stimulating and ambitious research environment.
- Ample occasions to develop yourself in a scientific and/or an industrial direction. Besides opportunities offered by the research group, further doctoral training for PhD candidates is provided in the framework of the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd), known for its strong focus on both future scientists and scientifically trained professionals who will valorise their doctoral expertise and competences in a non-academic context. More information on the training opportunities can be found on the following link: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd/dopl/whytraining.
Interested?
To apply for this position, please follow the application tool and enclose:
1. full CV – mandatory
2. motivation letter – mandatory
3. full list of credits and grades of both BSc and MSc degrees (as well as their transcription to English if possible) – mandatory (when you haven’t finished your degree yet, just provide us with the partial list of already available credits and grades)
4. proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, …) - if available
5. two reference letters - if available
6. an English version of MSc or PhD thesis, or of a recent publication or assignment - if available
For more information please contact Hervé Denayer (herve.denayer@kuleuven.be) or Elke Deckers, (elke.deckers@kuleuven.be) by mail and mention INSPIRE in the title.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.