A postdoctoral position is available in the group “Multiscale Modelling and Tribosimulations” at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg, Germany.

The "Multiscale Modelling and Tribosimulation" group is led by Prof. Michael Moseler and focuses on finding relationships between macroscopic tribological properties and their underlying mechanisms on the micro- and nanoscale through multiscale numerical simulations. This approach, which bridges electronic, atomistic, mesoscopic and continuum modelling scales, enables a fundamental optimisation of industrial tribological systems.

The successful candidate will be part of the “Molecular Lubricants Design” team and will work on the design and physical properties of complex lubricants operating under extreme conditions.

Your tasks

In close collaboration with experimental partners in industry and academia you will develop innovative models to clarify fundamental physical friction processes in base oil-additive mixtures under high pressure and shear.

You will carry out molecular dynamic simulations using the LAMMPS code with the aim of understanding dissipation, diffusion and adsorption processes and making them controllable.

You will define evaluation parameters, implement post-processing routines and develop constitutive laws for use in hydrodynamic calculations of energy dissipation in narrow lubrication gaps.

You will prepare scientific reports, write publications and present your research results at conferences and in project meetings with your industrial customers.

Your profile

You hold a PhD in physics or in a related STEM subject.

You have a strong background in molecular dynamics simulations with particular focus on lubrication, fluid dynamics and fluid-surface interactions.

You are inquisitive and enjoy dealing with material science and nanofluidics problems and goal-oriented approaches to solving them.

You like to use your talent in the development and application of theoretical methods for material physics research.

You are creative, enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams and are used to working independently.

You convince your customers with your friendly manner and your solution-oriented way of working.

Our profile

You will work with a motivated team in an innovative research institute with challenging scientific research topics and versatile projects with a high practical relevance.

You can take advantage of our wide-ranging opportunities for further development, both professionally and personally.

Thanks to flexible working hours and mobile working, you can easily combine family and career.

With 29,000 employees and 75 institutes, Fraunhofer is the largest organisation for application-oriented research in Europe. Our research fields are geared towards people's needs: Health, Safety, Communication, Mobility, Energy and Environment. We are creative, we shape technology, we design products, we improve processes, we open up new paths.

Employment conditions

Employment, remuneration and social benefits are based on the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD).

The position is limited to 2 years.

The weekly working time is 39 hours. Part-time work is possible.

Severely disabled persons will be given preference in case of equal suitability.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft attaches importance to professional equality irrespective of gender.

Application

Please send your application along with you CV, list of publications and academic certificates to Dr Gianpietro Moras ([email protected]) and do not hesitate to contact him if you have any questions regarding the position.