Postdoc (f/m/d) Method Development for Micromechanical Characterization and Modeling (Engineer - Materials Science)

Postdoc (f/m/d) Method Development for Micromechanical Characterization and Modeling of the Mechanical Behavior of Ion-Irradiated Nuclear Structural Materials within the Framework of Material Acceleration Platforms

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations are committed at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) to mastering the great societal challenges of our time.

The Institute of Resource Ecology (IRE) conducts applied fundamental research to protect humans and the environment from the effects of radioactive radiation.

To strengthen the Structural Materials Department, we are looking for you as a Postdoc (f/m/d) Method Development for Micromechanical Characterization and Modeling of the Mechanical Behavior of Ion-Irradiated Nuclear Structural Materials within the Framework of Material Acceleration Platforms.

Resistance to irradiation-induced damage is a crucial requirement for metallic materials used in the construction of nuclear reactors, especially regarding the demanding operating conditions in next-generation fission and fusion reactors. At HZDR, we therefore pursue various concepts for the development of innovative structural materials for nuclear applications. In doing so, we investigate irradiation resistance using ion-irradiated samples, which necessitates the characterization of very thin layers at the sample surface. The Ion Beam Center at HZDR enables short paths between irradiation, characterization, and model development, from targeted sample preparation to the direct feedback of measurement results into modeling.

The central task of the advertised Postdoc position is the methodical further development of the micromechanical characterization and modeling of the mechanical behavior of ion-irradiated, innovative nuclear structural materials, the application of which is currently taking place in various national and international collaborative projects. In addition to the mechanical characterization of thin ion-irradiated layers using nanoindentation to quantify irradiation-induced hardening or embrittlement, the primary focus is on the development and application of numerical models that contribute to understanding the relationship between irradiation-induced damage to the microstructure and the change in macroscopic mechanical properties. Open methodological questions exist, for example, in deriving reliable characteristic values (hardness, stress-strain behavior) from depth-resolved nanoindentation measurements on graded, ion-irradiated layers, the processing of which offers independent creative scope. An important aspect is also the integration into so-called Material Acceleration Platforms (MAP), which specifically search for structural materials for innovative nuclear applications by combining numerical simulations with ion irradiation and rapid experimental screening processes. The position is primarily method-oriented: the focus is not on the development of individual materials, but on the development, qualification, and provision of micromechanical characterization and modeling tools for the MAP, which are used by various material development projects. Own methodological ideas and focus areas, for example towards microstructure-based modeling, digital screening processes, or new experimental evaluation methods, are expressly welcome within this framework. You will work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of currently four doctoral students (f/m/d), three Postdocs (f/m/d) (including this position), and four experienced scientists (f/m/d), supported by technical staff (workshop, metallography, engineering), and embedded in an international network of collaborative partners. Participation in the acquisition of follow-up projects is expressly supported and understood as part of the position.

Your Tasks

• Development and application of numerical models to derive mechanical properties of irradiated materials from micromechanical measurement data, e.g., microstructure-based prediction of hardness profiles or derivation of bulk-equivalent characteristic values
• Development and integration of rapid screening processes as well as a digital framework for the integration of nanoindentation data within the framework of Material Acceleration Platforms
• Mechanical characterization of ion-irradiated thin layers using nanoindentation, including numerical evaluation of the results
• Investigation of irradiation-induced damage in innovative nuclear materials within the framework of various national and European collaborative projects
• Documentation, analysis, and scientific publication of the results (publications, conferences)

Your Profile

• Completed university degree (PhD) in Materials Science, Physics, Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a comparable field
• Sound knowledge regarding the microstructure and mechanical properties of metallic materials as well as their experimental characterization, ideally using micro-/nanoindentation and complementary imaging (e.g., AFM)
• Practical experience in the numerical modeling of mechanical material properties, e.g., Finite-Element simulation, crystal plasticity modeling, analytical/semi-empirical hardening models, or data-driven evaluation methods, as well as a proven ability to independently develop new methodological approaches
• Experience with or great interest in the investigation of irradiation-induced damage (hardening, embrittlement, swelling)
• Knowledge in the field of nuclear structural materials as well as innovative reactor concepts is advantageous
• Solid knowledge in scientific data analysis and statistical evaluation
• Enjoyment of challenging scientific questions and their implementation
• Strong communication skills and willingness to cooperate with internal and external partners
• Solid knowledge in scientific data analysis and statistical evaluation
• Independent, structured, and solution-oriented way of working
• Strong ability to work in teams within international research networks
• Confident handling of scientific software (e.g., Origin, Matlab) and good knowledge of MS Office
• Programming skills (ideally C/C++ or Python), experience with scientific data management or the development of evaluation pipelines is an advantage
• Very good English skills in speaking and writing; good German skills are an advantage

What We Offer You

• An exciting working environment on an attractive research campus
• High scientific networking and scientific excellence
• Remuneration and social benefits according to the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD-Bund) - including 30 days of vacation per year, company pension scheme (VBL)
• Depending on personal qualifications, a classification up to EG 13 TVöD-Bund is possible
• We support the compatibility of work and life with the possibility of part-time employment and mobile working, as well as flexible working hours
• A variety of offers from occupational health management
• Employee discounts from well-known providers via the Corporate Benefits platform
• An employer subsidy for the Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket

We look forward to receiving your application documents (cover letter, CV, certificates, etc.), which you please submit exclusively via our online application portal.

Home office: Extent: By arrangement