PhD scholarship in Porous Materials and Foams Employed in Hearing Aids

The Department of Electrical Engineering and the Centre for Acoustic-Mechanical Microsystems (CAMM) invite highly motivated and talented graduates to apply for a 3-year PhD where you will study porous materials and their application in hearing aids. CAMM facilitates and connects research in acoustic-mechanical interaction, numerical methods, optimization, materials, microfabrication and acoustic measurement techniques. You will build new knowledge based on the expertise of the three world-leading Danish companies in hearing aids, together with the strong research background from DTU Electrical Engineering and DTU Mechanical Engineering.

The mechanical properties of the internal solid structure and the acoustic-mechanical interaction with a fluid determine the behaviour of porous materials when exposed to sound and vibration. Porous materials include foams, fibre materials and woven/unwoven fabrics, and have multiple applications in sound and vibration control. An elastic frame can provide them with mechanical stability when exposed to vibration. In this project you will acquire in-depth understanding of the vibroacoustic behaviour of porous materials used in hearing aids (HAs). You will explore alternative designs, materials, and fabrication techniques that can enhance their performance. You will benefit from the knowledge and tools available at CAMM to push the boundaries of this innovative research field.

Responsibilities and qualifications
In this project you will learn and apply theoretical and experimental methods and techniques to study and characterize sound and vibration absorbing materials on the millimetre scale. It expected that this project will lead to practical advances in the design of HAs. Depending on your interests and competencies, this will involve your engagement in:

• Increasing the fundamental understanding of porous materials and foams at the scale of hearing aids within the range of audible frequencies.
• Creating suitable analytical and numerical models, including acoustic-mechanical coupling, viscous and thermal losses, and material damping.
• Mastering and developing mechanical and acoustic measurement techniques to assess the vibroacoustic properties and performance of porous materials on the millimetre scale.
• Mastering and developing fabrication processes leading to materials with improved performance.
• Integration of novel solutions with transducers, electronics, and housing of the HA.

Prior experience within one or more of these areas is considered beneficial to your application. For these tasks you will take responsibility for project planning, data management, lab work such as fabrication and setting up and running experiments, and comprehensive documentation. You are also expected to be able to work in a highly collaborative environment inside CAMM and in close contact with our company partners. Close exchange between DTU Electrical Engineering and DTU Mechanical Engineering is expected. Fluent written and spoken English is essential.

Your PhD project will result in scientific publications of your results. You will present at international conferences as part of your research training and you can also sharpen your didactics skills through experience as teaching assistant.

As a PhD student in CAMM and the Acoustics Technology Group, you will:

• Be a part of a creative and stimulating scientific environment
• Develop your theoretical and experimental skills
• Collaborate with experts in topics related to your project

We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international atmosphere with a focus on research, teaching, innovation, and scientific advice for the benefit of society. We offer a position with great flexibility, and emphasize work-life balance. In the area of technical and natural sciences, DTU is one of the leading research and education institutions in Europe.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in engineering, physics, material science, or related fields. Only candidates with documented experience in at least one and preferably multiple of the following areas will be considered: acoustics, vibrations, material science, wave propagation, numerical methods, and vibroacoustic measurements. Familiarity with packages such as Matlab, COMSOL, or ANSYS will be considered an advantage.

Approval and enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide. http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD/Rules/PhDguide

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Prof. Frieder Lucklum, Assoc. Prof. Vicente Cutanda Henríquez, and Assoc. Prof. Aminul Islam.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here. http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Frieder Lucklum ([email protected]) tel.: +45 4525 3937 or Vicente Cutanda Henríquez ([email protected]) tel.: +45 4525 3938. You are very welcome to write or call if you have any questions about the position or the recruitment process.

You can read more about Centre for Acoustic Mechanical Microsystems at www.camm.elektro.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU - Moving to Denmark. https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/moving-to-denmark

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 August 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here) http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/phd/Applicant/Pre_acceptance-1-
• Optional documents: English proficiency certificate (for instance TOEFL or IELTS), list of publications, and any other documents that demonstrate your experience in the areas related to the proposed PhD project.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Electrical Engineering educates students within electrical engineering technologies. We offer studies at BEng, BSc, MSc and PhD levels, and participate in joint international programmes. We conduct state-of-the-art research within antenna and microwave technology, robot technology, power and physical electronics, acoustic environment, electroacoustics, electric power and energy. Our department has more than 200 members of staff.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk