Please note, that this job advertisment refers to a position at the TU Vienna!

Description of position and tasks

To improve the product quality and minimize energy demand in rubber production, it is important to know the fluid behavior in different parts of the process. Because of strongly non-Newtonian rheologies of elastomers, predicting and understanding the elastomer behavior is complex - mostly relying on experimental techniques, which may not provide sufficient information about these systems. Therefore, a calibrated and validated overall computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model-based process evaluation can be a very promising approach for a better understanding of these processes and possible effects of different operating and boundary conditions.

Methodology

• Deep understanding of rubber rheology and material properties modeling
• Investigating the state of the art knowledge and performing required fluid dynamics and rheology measurements
• Implementation of the process model in an open-source computational fluid dynamics code
• Calibration and validation of the developed models and simulation approaches
• CFD simulation of the extrusion process
• Applying machine learning (ML) for generating data driven models

Key objectives

• Development of a calibrated and validated CFD model for better understanding of elastomer treatment and extrusion processes, e.g. inside an elastomer extruder
• Applying the developed model, to study the effect of different parameters (e.g. extrusion geometries, operating conditions) on the performance and efficiency of the process
• Understanding the impact of process parameters on quality parameters (e.g. shear stress and flow profile)
• Data driven models for fast and reliable prediction of the system

The thesis will be performed in cooperation with industrial partner Semperit AG and the COMET K1-Center CHASE.

Your profile

• Completed master’s degree in relevant technical field such as chemical/mechanical engineering
• Experience in experimental and computational investigation of non-Newtonian fluidic systems
• Prior knowledge in the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics (esp. OpenFOAM®)
• Programming expertise (C++ and Python)
• Excellent English and good communication skills
• Knowledge of German/Willingness to learn

We offer

• Flexible working hours (good work/life balance)
• Support your professional and personal development
• Insight into everyday work of an Austrian market leader in the rubber industry (Semperit AG)
• Diverse, international team of experts in the field of Chemical Engineering and Fluid dynamics
• Fair supervision: guiding and accompanying you in the process of becoming an early-stage scientist

Company description

TU Wien is Austria's largest research and educational institution in the technical and scientific field. It has been making an indispensable contribution to securing Austria's international competitiveness and innovative strength as a research location. The position will be at the Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering (ICEBE), within the Research Unit Thermal Process Engineering and Simulation. The Research Unit covers a broad range of processes and technologies in the area of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Process simulation, computational fluid dynamics, and techno-economic and environmental assessments support our experimental work.

Gender and diversity aspects

TU Wien is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. All persons can apply for this position. We encourage the application of persons who are traditionally underrepresented in the field of technology. TU Wien is committed to increasing the proportion of women in particular in leadership positions. Female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to women when equally qualified, unless reasons specific to a male applicant tilt the balance in his favor. At the Faculty of Technical Chemistry, FemChem has been established to exchange ideas, information, and experiences for female researchers. Through this platform, additional funding and training options will be supported to women candidates in hard- and soft-skills and career-orientation topics. People with special needs are equally encouraged to apply. In case of any questions, please contact the confidant for persons with disabilites at TU Wien, Mr. Gerhard Neustätter.

Application

Does this position sound interesting to you? Please send your CV, a motivation letter, and your references to bahram.haddadi@tuwien.ac.at and michael.harasek@tuwien.ac.at, using “PhD position CHASE” as the subject of your email. The position is open starting right away until a suitable candidate is found. International applications are encouraged.

Contact

Dr. Bahram Haddadi:                       bahram.haddadi@tuwien.ac.at

Ao. Univ.Prof. Michael Harasek:      michael.harasek@tuwien.ac.at

DI Silke Koch:                                     silke.koch@semperitgroup.com

https://www.tuwien.at/tch/icebe

https://www.semperitgroup.com/

https://www.chasecenter.at