PhD Position, research assistant (f/m/d) on on solid-state elastocaloric cooling

You have the following tasks:

• Design and fabricate microchannels within superelastic SMA materials
• Characterization of superelastic shape memory alloys (mechanical, thermal, fatigue life)
• Modelling, design and simulation (FEM multiphysics, lumped element modelling)
• Rapid prototyping (optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
• Development, characterization and control of cooling demonstrator variants 
• Simulation-based design optimization

The activity offers the opportunity for a part-time doctorate.

The institute is equipped with an expansive array of state-of-the-art facilities, including a 600 m² clean room, advanced rapid prototyping capabilities like lithography, 3D printing and laser cutting, construction and connection technology labs, as well as various metrology laboratories. 

This position is funded by the Hector Fellow Academy (HFA).  As a recipient of this funding, you will have the opportunity to engage in various activities within the HFA, including participation in the yearly symposium, in the networking and training events, and in an annual management module of the Hector School. For more information, please see: https://hector-fellow-academy.de/en/young-scientist-support/.

Persönliche Qualifikation

• MSc in the mechanical engineering field or a related field
• In-depth knowledge of mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, heat transfer, microsystems technology 
• Experience in CAD, Lumped element modelling and/or FEM simulation and/or MATLAB programming, thermal characterization, mechanical testing
• High proficiency in spoken and written English

Salary

Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.

Organisationseinheit

Contract duration

3 years

Application up to

28.02.2025

Contact person in line-management

For further information please contact Dr. Jingyuan Xu, email: jingyuan.xu@kit.edu