11 PhD Funded Positions in Excellence & Sustainability at TU/e, Netherlands

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is inviting applications for 11 fully funded PhD positions within the Excellence & Sustainability Programme of the Mechanics of Materials (MoM) section. The positions are part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and focus on sustainable materials, advanced modelling, experimental mechanics, hydrogen-resistant steels, cryogenic technologies, and silicon wafer handling.

These PhD opportunities are particularly suitable for graduates with a strong academic record in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or related disciplines. Successful candidates will work in an interdisciplinary research environment and collaborate closely with leading industrial partners.The application deadline is September 30, 2026, although applications will be reviewed as they arrive and some positions may be assigned before the closing date.

Key Details

Detail	Information
University	Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Department	Department of Mechanical Engineering
Research Section	Mechanics of Materials (MoM)
Position	PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher
Number of Positions	11
Employment Type	Scientific staff
Workload	Full-time, 1.0 FTE
Duration	4 years
Salary	€3,204 – €4,051 gross per month
Location	Eindhoven, Netherlands
Application Deadline	September 30, 2026
Reference Number	2026/66
English Requirement	At least C1 level

About the TU/e Mechanics of Materials PhD Programme

The Mechanics of Materials section at TU/e launched an Excellence Programme for sustainable materials in 2026 to recruit 11 outstanding PhD candidates. The research combines experimental analysis, theoretical understanding, and predictive modelling to investigate the complex thermo-mechanical behaviour of engineering materials across different length scales.

The programme uses an integrated numerical and experimental approach. Researchers will investigate how material behaviour emerges from the underlying multiphase microstructure, with research areas including plasticity, damage, fracture, micromechanics, and computational modelling.

PhD candidates will also have access to advanced computing infrastructure for numerical research and will work in close cooperation with industrial partners. This makes the programme attractive for researchers interested in connecting fundamental materials research with high-tech industrial applications.

Four Major Research Programmes

The 11 PhD projects are embedded within four larger research programmes. These programmes address important challenges related to sustainable manufacturing, the energy transition, high-tech cooling, and semiconductor production.

1. Green Steels

The steel industry is undergoing a major transformation to reduce its environmental impact. The Growing with Green Steel programme addresses the transition toward more sustainable steel production, processing, use, and recovery.

Within this programme, TU/e researchers will investigate how new steel processing routes influence microstructure and material properties. The research will help improve the understanding and performance of greener steel grades.

2. Physics-Based Design of Hydrogen-Resistant Steels

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in future energy systems, but its interaction with steel presents a significant materials challenge. Hydrogen can penetrate steel and increase its susceptibility to brittle failure.

This PhD research programme combines materials physics, computational mechanics, digitalisation, and experimental characterisation. Researchers will develop physics-based models that connect microstructural mechanisms with macroscopic material behaviour.

The programme also includes the development of digital twins that can be used to virtually assess and optimise steel microstructures before manufacturing. This work could contribute to safer and more reliable infrastructure for the emerging hydrogen economy.

3. Thermal Interfaces at Cryogenic Conditions

Quantum computers, advanced microscopes, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment often require extremely low operating temperatures. However, designing efficient cooling systems at cryogenic temperatures remains challenging because predictive models for thermal conductance are still limited.

The cryogenic thermal interfaces programme will develop multiscale models to understand how microstructural changes and constrained contact conditions affect thermal and mechanical properties at very low temperatures. The resulting knowledge could support more efficient cooling technologies for applications including medical imaging, high-performance computing, and advanced manufacturing.

4. Wafer Handling

Silicon wafers are fundamental to modern semiconductor manufacturing. Their surface quality must meet extremely demanding requirements, while the production environment must remain highly controlled.

The wafer-handling programme investigates how mechanical interactions affect silicon wafers. Advanced scratch experiments and high-resolution observations will be used to understand material behaviour at the microscopic scale. The research aims to improve understanding of particle generation, surface damage, and mechanical reliability during wafer handling.

11 PhD Positions Available

The programme includes seven computational mechanics projects and four experimental mechanics projects.

Computational Mechanics PhD Projects

PhD Position 1 – Rolling Contact Fatigue in Green Bearing Steels: Numerical Microstructural Modelling
Industry partner: SKF
Main supervisor: Ron Peerlings

This project focuses on numerical modelling of rolling contact fatigue in sustainable bearing steels, with particular attention to the relationship between microstructure and mechanical performance.

PhD Position 2 – Predictive Analysis of Edge Crack Sensitivity of Green Steels
Industry partner: Tata Steel
Main supervisor: Marc Geers

The research will investigate the mechanisms behind edge crack formation in green steel and develop predictive approaches for understanding crack sensitivity.

PhD Position 3 – From Structure to Properties in Green Metastable Stainless Steels
Industry partners: Philips and Alleima
Main supervisor: Marc Geers

This project examines the relationship between microstructure, processing, and material properties in sustainable metastable stainless steels.

PhD Position 4 – Solute-Dependent BCC Crystal Plasticity in Hydrogen-Resistant Circular Steels
Industry partner: Tata Steel
Main supervisor: Ron Peerlings

The research investigates crystal plasticity in body-centred cubic steels and the influence of solute elements on their behaviour in hydrogen-related applications.

PhD Position 5 – Grain-Boundary Plasticity and Damage in Hydrogen-Resistant Circular Steels
Industry partner: Tata Steel
Main supervisor: Ron Peerlings

This project focuses on plasticity and damage mechanisms at grain boundaries in steels designed for hydrogen-resistant applications.

PhD Position 6 – Pipeline Fracture Twin: Digital Twin Development for Hydrogen-Assisted Crack Propagation in Buried Steel Pipelines
Industry partners: APS and Tata Steel
Main supervisor: Karo Sedighiani

The project aims to develop a digital twin for analysing hydrogen-assisted crack propagation in buried steel pipelines.

PhD Position 7 – Cryogenic Interface Heat Transfer for Advanced Thermal Interfaces
Industry partners: Thermo Fisher Scientific, ASML, AAE, and MI-Partners
Main supervisor: Olaf van der Sluis

This research will develop models for heat transfer across interfaces at cryogenic temperatures, supporting the development of advanced cooling systems.

Experimental Mechanics PhD Projects

PhD Position 8 – Rolling Contact Fatigue in Green Bearing Steels: Experimental Microstructural Analysis
Industry partner: SKF
Main supervisor: Johan Hoefnagels

This experimental project investigates microstructural changes associated with rolling contact fatigue in sustainable bearing steels.

PhD Position 9 – Effect of Surface Changes Due to Tramp Elements and New Heating Methods on the Mechanics of Green Steel
Industry partner: Tata Steel
Main supervisor: Johan Hoefnagels

The research examines how surface changes, tramp elements, and new heating methods influence the mechanical behaviour of green steel.

PhD Position 10 – In-Situ Micromechanical Investigation of Hydrogen-Induced Plasticity in Circular Steels
Industry partner: Tata Steel
Main supervisor: Johan Hoefnagels

This project uses in-situ micromechanical experiments to study plasticity induced by hydrogen in circular steels.

PhD Position 11 – Micromechanical Experimental Analysis of Particle Generation in Silicon Wafer Handling
Industry partner: VDL
Main supervisor: Johan Hoefnagels

The project investigates particle generation during silicon wafer handling using advanced micromechanical experimental techniques.

Eligibility and PhD Requirements

Applicants should have an excellent academic and research profile. A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field is required. A strong background in mechanics of materials, continuum mechanics, or experimental mechanics is particularly relevant, depending on the selected PhD project.

Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical ability, curiosity, creativity, initiative, flexibility, and motivation to conduct independent scientific research. A proven record of academic excellence is especially important because this is an excellence programme.

Applicants should submit complete official grade lists from their Bachelor’s and Master’s studies. TU/e specifically states that the grades should demonstrate academic excellence. Previous experience in areas such as materials science, metallurgy, mechanical testing, micromechanics, material characterisation, or structure-property relationships can be beneficial for selected projects.

The programme also expects candidates to be interested in interdisciplinary research and collaboration with industrial partners. PhD candidates will have opportunities to develop their teaching skills and support students during their doctoral studies. Applicants must have fluent spoken and written English, at least at C1 level.

Relevant Technical Skills

Depending on the projects selected, applicants can highlight experience in:

• Continuum mechanics for large deformations
• Numerical mechanics and analysis
• Finite element method (FEM) simulations
• Meshing and computational analysis
• MATLAB or Python programming
• User-defined finite element routines
• Theoretical mechanical analysis
• Microstructure-based simulations
• Experimental microstructure analysis
• Materials characterisation
• Microscopy and metallurgy
• Micromechanical testing
• In-situ testing
• Digital image correlation
• Numerical analysis of experimental data

Candidates should only list the technical skills that are relevant to the PhD positions they select.

Salary and Employment Benefits

The 11 PhD positions are full-time appointments for four years, with an intermediate assessment after approximately nine months. PhD candidates will spend at least 10% of their four-year employment on teaching activities, with a maximum of 15% per year. The salary is based on the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P, with a stated range of €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month.

In addition to the base salary, TU/e offers an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, calculated on the annual gross base salary. Employees receive generous leave arrangements, starting at 29 days per year based on a 38-hour working week. This can increase to 41 days by working two additional hours per week under the flexible working arrangement.

TU/e employees participate in the ABP pension scheme. The university pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%. Other benefits include professional training, research support, commuting and home-working allowances, internet cost compensation, sports facilities, and on-campus childcare.

International candidates can also receive support from the university’s Staff Immigration Team. A tax compensation arrangement known as the Expat Scheme may also be available to eligible international employees.

Research Environment at TU/e

Eindhoven University of Technology is located in the Brainport region of the Netherlands, one of Europe’s major high-tech innovation hubs. TU/e combines fundamental scientific research with practical applications and works closely with high-tech companies on major technological and societal challenges. The Department of Mechanical Engineering conducts research connected to the technological interests of Dutch high-tech industry, particularly within the Brainport region.

For PhD researchers, this environment provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of academic research and industrial innovation. The Mechanics of Materials programme also offers access to advanced experimental and computational research infrastructure.

How the Selection Process Works

Because the initial vacancy description cannot provide detailed information about every PhD project, TU/e uses a two-step assessment process. In the first step, all applicants undergo an excellence assessment.

Candidates who successfully pass the first stage will receive more detailed information from the responsible principal investigators about the projects they have selected. This allows candidates and supervisors to discuss the research topics before making the final project selection. Applicants are therefore encouraged to clearly identify which of the 11 PhD positions interest them.

Documents Required for Application

A complete application should include:

1. Cover letter explaining your motivation and qualifications.
2. Curriculum vitae, including:
   • Starting and ending dates of your Bachelor’s and Master’s studies
   • Publication list
   • Brief description of your Master’s thesis
   • Contact details of three references
3. Official BSc and MSc grade lists showing all courses and grades.
4. A clear indication of the PhD positions you wish to be considered for.
5. A separate list describing your relevant experience in continuum mechanics, computational mechanics, programming, experimental mechanics, materials characterisation, and other project-specific skills.

References may be contacted at any stage of the recruitment process, so applicants are advised to inform their referees before submitting the application.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a complete online application through APPLY NOW The application deadline is September 30, 2026, or earlier if all 11 positions have been assigned. Promising candidates may be invited to an online interview. Applications submitted by email or post will not be processed.

Important Information for International Applicants

International applicants should review TU/e’s immigration and employment information before applying. The university provides immigration support through its Staff Immigration Team, and eligible candidates may benefit from the Expat Scheme.

At the time of this vacancy, TU/e states that it cannot consider applications from candidates residing in Iran because of the closure of the Dutch embassy in Tehran and the resulting immigration limitations. Applicants should check the university’s latest information before submitting their application, particularly if immigration or residence procedures apply to them.

Why Apply for These PhD Positions?

These TU/e PhD opportunities combine several advantages for early-career researchers. Candidates can work on research with clear relevance to sustainable engineering, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and high-tech applications.

The programme also provides exposure to industrial research through collaborations with organisations such as SKF, Tata Steel, Philips, ASML, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AAE, MI-Partners, Alleima, APS, and VDL. For candidates with excellent academic records and a strong interest in mechanics of materials, computational modelling, or experimental research, the programme offers an opportunity to pursue a four-year PhD in an international research environment in the Netherlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many PhD positions are available at TU/e?

There are 11 PhD positions available within the Excellence & Sustainability Programme of the Mechanics of Materials section at Eindhoven University of Technology.

What is the application deadline?

The stated application deadline is September 30, 2026. However, TU/e will review applications as they arrive, and some positions may be assigned before the deadline.

Is this a full-time PhD position?

Yes. The positions are full-time and listed at 1.0 FTE, with an employment duration of four years.

What is the PhD salary at TU/e?

The advertised salary is €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month, according to the Dutch Universities Collective Labour Agreement, scale P.

What degree is required?

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a similar field.

Do applicants need an excellent academic record?

Yes. Academic excellence is a key part of the selection process. Applicants are required to provide official BSc and MSc grade lists showing all courses and grades.

Are international students eligible to apply?

International candidates can apply if they meet the academic and other requirements. TU/e provides immigration support for international employees. However, candidates residing in Iran are currently subject to the specific restriction stated in the vacancy.

Can I apply for more than one PhD project?

Yes. Applicants can indicate multiple PhD projects that match their interests and qualifications.

What documents are required?

The application requires a cover letter, CV, publication information, Master’s thesis description, three references, official BSc and MSc grade lists, selected PhD projects, and a relevant technical-skills list.