PhD Position, research assistant (f/m/d) on Thermomagnetic Foil Actuation

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9.800 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation.

We are looking for the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) from July 1st, 2024 or later limited for 3 years for a

PhD Position, research assistant (f/m/d) on Thermomagnetic Foil Actuation

Part time 75 %

You work on the development of miniature scale actuators that are capable of generating work from low-grade heat. Applications are foreseen, for instance, in robotics, medical devices and in energy systems making use of waste heat. You have the following tasks:

• Characterization of TM foil properties (mechanical, thermal, magnetic)
• Modelling, design and simulation of TM test devices
• Design and simulation of a suitable microfluidic circuit
• Rapid prototyping (optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
• Development, characterization and control of demonstrator variants
• Investigation of the scaling of size and actuation output
• Simulation-assisted system optimization

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

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

Personal qualification

• MSc in engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Knowledge in the fields of thermodynamics, magnetic materials, structural mechanics, heat transfer, microfluidics and microsystems technology
• Experience in CAD, Lumped element modelling and/or FEM simulation and/or MATLAB programming, thermal characterization, mechanical testing is desirable
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English

Become a member of staff of the only German University of Excellence that conducts large-scale research on the national level. Work under excellent working conditions in an international environment and be active in research and academic education for our future. Benefit from specific training when starting your job and from a wide range of further qualification offers. Use our flexible working time models (flexitime, work from home), our sports and leisure offers, as well as our child and holiday care services. We also pay a share of EUR 25/month in the Job Ticket Baden-Württemberg. Enjoy a large variety of dishes, snacks, and beverages at our canteens.

We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.

Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.

Please apply online until April 30, 2024 using the vacancy number 151/2024 to Ms Bärbel Gätcke, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Human Resources, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany. For further information, please contact Dr. Jingyuan Xu, jingyuan.xu@kit.edu or Dr. Joel Joseph, joel.joseph@kit.edu.

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KIT – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association