PhD positions in Structural Health Monitoring of Welded Thermoplastic Composite Assemblies

The University of Twente is seeking PhD candidates to conduct research on structural health monitoring (SHM) for welded thermoplastic composite assemblies. These materials are increasingly vital for next-generation commercial aircraft due to their superior mechanical properties and weight efficiency. The research will focus on leveraging the melt-processable nature of these composites to enable automated, high-rate manufacturing and reliable structural integrity assessment. Successful applicants will join a dynamic research environment dedicated to advancing aerospace engineering and material science. The project aims to bridge the gap between advanced manufacturing processes and long-term structural performance monitoring.

• Develop and validate structural health monitoring strategies for welded thermoplastic composite joints.
• Conduct experimental testing to evaluate the mechanical performance and integrity of composite assemblies.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to integrate monitoring sensors into automated production workflows.
• Analyze complex datasets to identify structural degradation or manufacturing defects.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
• Contribute to the broader research goals of the department through interdisciplinary collaboration.