Research Assistant (f/m/d) - Multiphysics Modeling of Process–Microstructure Relations in Hybrid Additive Manufacturing

The Chair for Digital Additive Production (DAP) at RWTH Aachen University collaborates with industrial and scientific partners to investigate the fundamental interrelationships of digital and additive manufacturing, transferring these findings to industrial applications. Our research encompasses a wide range of topics, from component design and process development to production and the application properties of additively manufactured components. Additionally, we focus on accompanying processes such as design, quality management, and the digital representation of the entire process chain. Our service portfolio is further enhanced by individual consulting and training services. Through industry projects, we work closely with partners from various sectors—including automotive, aerospace, turbomachinery, life sciences, machinery, tool making, and mold making—to develop and shape the future of digital and additive manufacturing. Furthermore, DAP offers extensive professional and personal development opportunities within a highly motivated team. 

• You hold a university degree (Master's or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, computational engineering science, or a related field.
• You are well-versed in solid mechanics and the finite element method (FEM) .
• You have a strong interest in process and materials modeling.
• You are highly motivated to work scientifically with the goal of earning a PhD.
• You work independently and carefully, and you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team.
• Very good English skills are required.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: thermo-mechanical simulation (e.g. COMSOL, Abaqus, ANSYS), simulation of laser-based or additive manufacturing processes, programming and data analysis (e.g. Python or MATLAB, machine learning methods), and materials characterization. You will receive training in any of these methods that are new to you. 

You will work in an ERC-funded project that combines laser-based Directed Energy Deposition (DED) with laser heat treatment and deep rolling in one hybrid process. The goal is to develop novel methods that enable tailoring mechanical properties of metal components directly during manufacturing and repair.

For this position, computational and experimental research go hand in hand: you will develop multiphysics models of the hybrid additive manufacturing process and predict how temperatures, cooling rates, and residual stresses evolve over the processing history. Together with fellow doctoral researchers, you will integrate these simulations with experimental data from process monitoring and microstructure characterization to create a digital twin. Building on this, you will develop data-driven methods to cluster the complex processing history into representative states, for which you abstract governing physical conditions and characteristic microstructures.

In close collaboration with experimental researchers and international partners, you will establish how thermal and mechanical loads in hybrid processing govern microstructure formation.

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled by 4/1/2027 and offered for a fixed term of 1 year initially.
An extension to a total of at least 3 years is planned.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a full-time position with the possibility of a part-time contract upon request.
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

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Contact regarding the application