PhD Positions in Materials and Mechanics for Advanced Ceramic-Based Protection Systems
Join the Cera-Shield project to develop next-generation lightweight ceramic protection systems through interdisciplinary research.
Best for:Best for recent or upcoming Materials Science/Mechanical Engineering graduates with a strong academic record, hands-on experimental skills, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials science, mechanics, and advanced manufacturing.
Overview
This opportunity offers three fully funded PhD positions within the Cera-Shield project, a collaborative initiative between academia, industry, and government. The project focuses on advancing lightweight, high-performance ceramic-based protection systems to address critical safety challenges. PhD candidates will work on distinct but interconnected research areas: developing advanced ceramic microstructures, modeling and optimizing ceramic-composite systems, and designing/manufacturing ceramic-metal systems. The positions are based at Eindhoven University of Technology’s Mechanics of Materials section, leveraging state-of-the-art facilities like the A3M Lab and Multiscale Lab. Successful candidates will engage in cutting-edge research combining experiments, simulations, and manufacturing, while collaborating with industrial and governmental partners to translate scientific insights into practical applications for sectors like aerospace, energy, and infrastructure protection.
What you'll do
- Conduct cutting-edge research combining experimental work, numerical simulations, and advanced manufacturing techniques to develop next-generation ceramic-based protection systems.
- Collaborate closely with industrial and governmental partners to translate scientific findings into practical design guidelines and demonstrators.
- Develop and optimize new ceramic microstructures, modeling frameworks, or manufacturing processes depending on the specific PhD focus area.
- Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present results at international conferences and stakeholder meetings.
- Engage in teaching and student supervision as part of the PhD role, contributing to the academic community at Eindhoven University of Technology.
- Participate in interdisciplinary teamwork to integrate materials design, multi-scale modeling, and system-level engineering.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field (or expected to complete by the start date)
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; fluency in spoken and written English required
Instruction: English
- Strong academic background and analytical skills in materials science or mechanical engineering
- Hands-on experience with experimental work, preferably in materials processing or characterization
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
- Motivation to develop teaching and student supervision skills
- No specific nationality or residency restrictions mentioned
- Open to international candidates
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-31
Applicants must submit a complete application online through the university’s portal. The application should include a cover letter detailing motivation and qualifications, a CV with publications and reference contacts, full transcripts of BSc and MSc programs, and a short description of the Master’s thesis (max 2000 words total). The application process is competitive, and candidates may be contacted for further reference checks during the selection process.
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including publications and reference contacts)
- Full transcripts of BSc and MSc programs
- Description of Master’s thesis (max 1500 words for thesis + 500 words for novelty statement)
Contact
Diletta Giuntini / Tommaso Magrini / Ron Peerlings· Hiring Managers
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