PhD Position in Development of Model-Based Methodologies for Product-Assembly Co-Design (KU Leuven Production Engineering, Machine Design and Automation (PMA) Section)

DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL-BASED METHODOLOGIES FOR PRODUCT-ASSEMBLY CO-DESIGN Project This PhD is part of a project aiming to bridge the gap between product design and assembly system design by incorporating assembly knowledge into the early stages of the product development. The current industrial context requires companies to aim at a first-time-right,“down to lot size 1 at the cost of volume production” strategy. Hence,considering assembly aspects too late or in a trial-and-error way is no longer an option. Therefore, there is a need for methods and software tools enabling assessment of assembly complexity in an early design stage, allowing co-optimization of product performance with ease-of-assembly in a quantitative way, and allowing trade-off analysis of various solutions. This PhD fits in the Product-Assembly Co-Design (PACo) project through the Flemish strategic research centre Flanders Make. As a researcher you develop model-based methodologies for product-assembly co-design in the early product design, such that both the product as the assembly-process of the product can be designed at the same time. In building up the framework to do so, you focus on optimizing the design of mechatronic systems to certain performance attributes (dynamics among others) under constraints set by the assembly system. The PhD is hosted by the KU Leuven Noise and Vibration Research Group, which currently counts 90 researchers and is headed by Prof. Wim Desmet (https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/00011973) and is part of the Mechanical Engineering Department, a vibrant environment of more than 300 researchers. The research group has a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrially relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both highly ranked academic journals as well as on industrial fora. More information on the research group can be found on the website: https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/research/mod/about. Profile If you recognize yourself in the story below, then you have the profile that fits the project and the research group. I have a master degree in engineering, physics or mathematics and performed above average in comparison to my peers. I’m proficient in written and spoken English. During my courses or prior professional activities, I have gathered some basic experience with first principle modelling (1D/3D modelling) and numerical optimization problems, and/or I have a profound interest in these topics. As a PhD researcher of the KU Leuven Noise and Vibration Research Group I perform research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between different theories and implement and improve methodologies myself. Based on interactions and discussions with my supervisors and my team colleagues, I set up and update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months to work towards my research goals. I work with a sufficient degree of independence to follow my plan and achieve the goals. I indicate timely when deviations of the plan are required, if goals cannot be met or if I want to discuss intermediate results or issues. In frequent reporting, varying between weekly to monthly, I show the results that I have obtained and I give a well-founded interpretation of those results. I iterate on my work and my approach based on the feedback of my supervisors which steer the direction of my research. I value being part of a large research group which is well connected to the machine and transportation industry and I am eager to learn how academic research can be linked to industrial innovation roadmaps. During my PhD I want to grow towards following up the project that I am involved in and representing the research group on project meetings or conferences. I see those events as an occasion to disseminate my work to an audience of international experts and research colleagues, and to learn on the larger context of my research and the research project. Offer A remuneration package competitive with industry standards in Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and excellent health care system. A chance to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, typically a 4 year trajectory, in a stimulating and ambitious research environment. Ample opportunity to develop yourself in both a scientific or an industrial direction, besides opportunities provided by the research group, further doctoral training for PhD candidates is provided in the framework of the Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd), known for its strong focus on both future scientists and scientifically trained professionals who will valorise their doctoral expertise and competences in a non-academic context. More information on the training opportunities can be found on the following link: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd/dopl/whytraining. A stay in a vibrant environment in the hearth of Europe. The university is located in Leuven, a town of approximately 100000 inhabitants, located close to Brussels (25km), and 20 minutes by train from Brussels International Airport. This strategic positioning and the strong presence of the university, international research centers, and industry, lead to a safe student town with high quality of life, welcome to non-Dutch speaking people and with ample opportunities for social and sport activities. The mixture of cultures and research fields are some of the ingredients making the university of Leuven the most innovative university in Europe (https://nieuws.kuleuven.be/en/content/2018/ku-leuven-once-again-tops-reuters-ranking-of-europes-most-innovative-universities). More practical information can be found on the website of the university: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/living Interested? To apply for this position, please follow the application tool and enclose: 1. full CV – mandatory 2. motivation letter – mandatory 3. full list of credits and grades of both BSc and MSc degrees (as well as their transcription to English if possible) – mandatory (when you haven’t finished your degree yet, just provide us with the partial list of already available credits and grades) 4. proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, …) - if available 5. two reference letters - if available 6. an English version of MSc or PhD thesis, or of a recent publication or assignment - if available For more information please contact Dr. Hendrik Devriendt (hendrik.devriendt@kuleuven.be) or Dr. Claus Claeys, (claus.claeys@kuleuven.be) by mail and mention PACO in the title. You can apply for this job no later than March 29, 2019 via the online application tool KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Engineeroxy

DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL-BASED METHODOLOGIES FOR PRODUCT-ASSEMBLY CO-DESIGN

Project

This PhD is part of a project aiming to bridge the gap between product design and assembly system design by incorporating assembly knowledge into the early stages of the product development. The current industrial context requires companies to aim at a first-time-right,“down to lot size 1 at the cost of volume production” strategy. Hence,considering assembly aspects too late or in a trial-and-error way is no longer an option. Therefore, there is a need for methods and software tools enabling assessment of assembly complexity in an early design stage, allowing co-optimization of product performance with ease-of-assembly in a quantitative way, and allowing trade-off analysis of various solutions. This PhD fits in the Product-Assembly Co-Design (PACo) project through the Flemish strategic research centre Flanders Make.

As a researcher you develop model-based methodologies for product-assembly co-design in the early product design, such that both the product as the assembly-process of the product can be designed at the same time. In building up the framework to do so, you focus on optimizing the design of mechatronic systems to certain performance attributes (dynamics among others) under constraints set by the assembly system.

The PhD is hosted by the KU Leuven Noise and Vibration Research Group, which currently counts 90 researchers and is headed by Prof. Wim Desmet (https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/00011973) and is part of the Mechanical Engineering Department, a vibrant environment of more than 300 researchers. The research group has a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrially relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both highly ranked academic journals as well as on industrial fora. More information on the research group can be found on the website: https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/research/mod/about.

Profile

If you recognize yourself in the story below, then you have the profile that fits the project and the research group.

I have a master degree in engineering, physics or mathematics and performed above average in comparison to my peers.

I’m proficient in written and spoken English.

During my courses or prior professional activities, I have gathered some basic experience with first principle modelling (1D/3D modelling) and numerical optimization problems, and/or I have a profound interest in these topics.

As a PhD researcher of the KU Leuven Noise and Vibration Research Group I perform research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between different theories and implement and improve methodologies myself.

Based on interactions and discussions with my supervisors and my team colleagues, I set up and update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months to work towards my research goals. I work with a sufficient degree of independence to follow my plan and achieve the goals. I indicate timely when deviations of the plan are required, if goals cannot be met or if I want to discuss intermediate results or issues.

In frequent reporting, varying between weekly to monthly, I show the results that I have obtained and I give a well-founded interpretation of those results. I iterate on my work and my approach based on the feedback of my supervisors which steer the direction of my research.

I value being part of a large research group which is well connected to the machine and transportation industry and I am eager to learn how academic research can be linked to industrial innovation roadmaps.

During my PhD I want to grow towards following up the project that I am involved in and representing the research group on project meetings or conferences. I see those events as an occasion to disseminate my work to an audience of international experts and research colleagues, and to learn on the larger context of my research and the research project.

Offer

A remuneration package competitive with industry standards in Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and excellent health care system.
A chance to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, typically a 4 year trajectory, in a stimulating and ambitious research environment.
Ample opportunity to develop yourself in both a scientific or an industrial direction, besides opportunities provided by the research group, further doctoral training for PhD candidates is provided in the framework of the Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd), known for its strong focus on both future scientists and scientifically trained professionals who will valorise their doctoral expertise and competences in a non-academic context. More information on the training opportunities can be found on the following link: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd/dopl/whytraining.
A stay in a vibrant environment in the hearth of Europe. The university is located in Leuven, a town of approximately 100000 inhabitants, located close to Brussels (25km), and 20 minutes by train from Brussels International Airport. This strategic positioning and the strong presence of the university, international research centers, and industry, lead to a safe student town with high quality of life, welcome to non-Dutch speaking people and with ample opportunities for social and sport activities. The mixture of cultures and research fields are some of the ingredients making the university of Leuven the most innovative university in Europe (https://nieuws.kuleuven.be/en/content/2018/ku-leuven-once-again-tops-reuters-ranking-of-europes-most-innovative-universities). More practical information can be found on the website of the university: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/living

Interested?

To apply for this position, please follow the application tool and enclose:
1. full CV – mandatory
2. motivation letter – mandatory
3. full list of credits and grades of both BSc and MSc degrees (as well as their transcription to English if possible) – mandatory (when you haven’t finished your degree yet, just provide us with the partial list of already available credits and grades)
4. proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, …) - if available
5. two reference letters - if available

6. an English version of MSc or PhD thesis, or of a recent publication or assignment - if available

For more information please contact Dr. Hendrik Devriendt (hendrik.devriendt@kuleuven.be) or Dr. Claus Claeys, (claus.claeys@kuleuven.be) by mail and mention PACO in the title.

You can apply for this job no later than March 29, 2019 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Engineeroxy

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