PhD Researcher - MSCA Doctoral Network - LEGEND -DC12

• Programming in Python or similar languages: Ability for script development, automation, or engineering data processing.
• Experience or theoretical foundations in characterization and mechanical behavior of composite structures.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Analysis: Theoretical or practical knowledge in non-destructive inspection techniques.
• Basic knowledge of simulation software (ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar)
• Driving licence and own vehicle.

• Experimental and statistical analysis: Knowledge through training, courses, previous experience, or thesis project.
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Proficiency in 3D modeling software (such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX) for the design of components or test tooling.
• Documented knowledge (education/courses/experiences or thesis project) in experimental analysis, programming, knowledge in NDT analysis.

• University Master's Degree (minimum 120 ECTS credits) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar disciplines.
• Absence of a doctoral degree: The candidate must not be in possession of a doctoral degree.
• International recognition: In the case of foreign degrees, the candidate must manage the recognition of the degree by a Portuguese higher education institution before signing the contract.
• The applicant must have been awarded, by the recruitment date, a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar, and be holders of a scientific and professional curriculum vitae that reveals a profile appropriate to the activities to be developed. For candidates who have not yet obtained their degree and/or language certification, they may participate in the selection process and can be chosen by the Evaluation Committee as the preferred candidate, on the condition they present all the necessary certificates by the recruitment date.
• Any master awarded by a foreign higher education institution must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution in accordance with article 25 of the Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16, which approves the legal regime for the recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, awarded by foreign higher education institutions and paragraph e) of no. 2 of article 4 of Decree-Law no. 60/2018, of August 3, and any formalities established therein must be complied with by the date of the hiring act.

As part of the Advanced Composites Technologies Unit, your tasks will be:

• Full-time development of doctoral research during a fixed-term contract period of three years.
• Active integration into a dynamic and inspiring working environment within the technological center (AIMEN) and with collaborating centers.
• Fulfillment of academic milestones: Present and validate all required degree and language certifications before the official hiring date.

We are pleased to announce the opening of 14 Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions within the LEGEND project (Leading-Edge evaluation and GENeration of Defect-tolerance in composite structures), funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme (Grant Agreement No. 101312790). LEGEND is an ambitious European training network designed to prepare a new generation of engineers to understand and deal with the Effects of Defects (EoDs) in composite structures, through targeted industry- driven improvements in inspection, characterisation, and modelling techniques. The overarching objective of LEGEND is to overcome the current limitations in characterising and predicting the EoDs in composite structures, which impact the costs and sustainability of material qualification, certification, and production practices, and could result in safety-critical oversight. LEGEND will create an interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial research and training environment where DCs will:

• Develop fast automated methods and tools for defect Identification, Classification, and Quantification;
• Develop improved characterisation methods for load regime-specific EoDs;
• Develop efficient numerical frameworks towards Qualification and Certification by Analysis, accounting for EoDs;
• Develop methods for the generation of new statistically based Defect Acceptance Criteria in industrial applications. The LEGEND consortium is composed of 8 beneficiaries and 7 associated partners across 6 countries, including 4 RTOs and 5 industrial partners at the forefront of European transportation sector. This strong industrial participation ensures that DCs gain direct exposure to real-world applications, thereby enhancing their future employability, while advancing the synergy between academic and non-academic sectors in providing innovative engineering solutions. For general inquiries, please contact the LEGEND Project Management Team at pm@legend-msca-dn.com For questions related to a specific DC position, e-mail the corresponding Main Supervisor contact. Incomplete and late submissions will not be considered.

1. DC 12 Project Description

Project Title: Fast structural integrity analysis of ultrasonically welded thermoplastic composites. Objectives: To develop a fast and robust framework for combined defect ICQ and structural integrity evaluation in advanced thermoplastic composites ultrasonically welded joints, using in situ Vibro- Thermography analyses (VTA) - a SoA LR NDI technique combining mechanical vibrations with infrared thermography to reveal hidden welding flaws - and a new ML model to translate the welding process parameters and VTA data directly into defect metrics that can be assessed for criticality, to assess any potential welding repair requirements. The following methodology is defined: i) Fabrication, VTA & XRM NDI, testing of representative lab-scale thermoplastic composite joints (e.g. SLS coupons representative of large-scale aerospace structural joints); ii) Initial ML tool development for defect ICQ and spatial mapping (develop & train a surrogate model on XRM-informed VTA data, for automated defect ICQ and mapping in welded joints); iii) Development & validation of a macro-scale digital shadowing tool for assessing defect criticality (using a SoA macro-scale modelling approach with cohesive surface representation of welded interfaces, implant the VTA-inspected disbond patterns. Validate this approach with experimental coupon data of step i), assessing defect severity and establishing novel single-defect DAC for welded joints); iv) Extend surrogate model to correlate between real-time VTA imaging and defect severity, using the numerical results, train the initial surrogate to statistically assess weld defect severity directly from VTA data. Expected Results: Data set on weld defect-dependent KDFs for QS SLS strength; A robust macro-scale digital shadowing tool to assess integrity of industrial-scale joints; A ML-based tool to complement VTA, capable of applying novel DAC during in situ inspection of welded joints. Secondments: The project will involve collaborations and secondments (in total 4 months during the first three years) at Universidade do Porto (Portugal) and CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB (Sweden). The DC will be expected to:

• Develop and implement a experimental and computational framework that links VTA analysis, traditional NDT testing and structural performance of advanced composite materials.
• Develop scientific concepts and communicate the results of research through written scientific publications and oral presentations at international conferences.
• Collaborate with fellow doctoral candidates within the LEGEND project, utilising synergies between projects.
• Actively participate in General Assembly meetings and doctoral training events within LEGEND, distributed across Europe.
• Collaborate within the laboratory community and develop experimental collaborative skills.

1. Work Conditions

Contract Terms

• The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
• The position is a fixed-term contract appointment of three years.

[Ref.: 01 08/26]

• Fulfil the requirements of the Doctoral Program in Mechanical Engineering to be awarded the doctoral degree: completion of 36 ECTS of mandatory (6 ECTS) and optional (30 ECTS) courses in the first year, completion of a 24 ECTS Seminar at the end of the first year, and completion of a Thesis (120 ECTS) at the end of the third year (FEUP - Doctoral Program in Mechanical Engineering). Hiring Beneficiary: AIMEN We foster an inclusive, friendly, and helpful work environment to which we welcome you to contribute. Our activities integrate advanced materials technology, combining multidisciplinary expertise to predict, understand, and elevate the performance of engineering materials and structures. Main Supervisor: Dr. Massimiliano Russello Co-Supervisor: Dr. Elena Rodríguez-Senín

1. Who can apply?

Applicants will be required to meet the general eligibility criteria of MSCA Early‐Stage Researchers. MSCA Criteria for all DCs

• Applicants must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• They must not have resided, worked, or studied in the country of the recruiting Beneficiary institute for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention [3] are not taken into account. For international European research organisations [4], international organisations, or entities created under Union law, recruited researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment in the same appointing organisation. The recruitment date is the first day of the employment of the researcher for the purposes of the action (i.e. the starting date indicated in the employment contract or equivalent direct contract). Specific DC 12 Criteria
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Specific experience being prioritised for DC12:
• To sign the contract, the chosen candidate must fulfil the MSCA DN eligibility criteria.