Vacancy for 3 PhD students at Structural Mechanics Section of KU Leuven

Within the frame of the project “Quantifying and reducing uncertainty in structural dynamics” (1 October 2013 – 30 September 2017), the Structural Mechanics Section of the Department of Civil Engineering of KU Leuven has vacancies for 3 PhD students. The project aims to identify, quantify and reduce uncertainty on models and input parameters in numerical predictions for vibration problems in the built environment, focusing on accurate prediction of railway induced vibration in buildings. More particularly, the project will focus on (1) the quantification and reduction of uncertainties related to building models, (2) the quantification and reduction of parameter and model uncertainties related to dynamic soil characteristics, and (3) a study of dynamic soil-structure interaction effects. Numerical developments will be supported by elaborate in situ testing. Each PhD student will concentrate on one of these topics, while strong collaboration will be pursued Three PhD students are sought, holding a MSc degree in Civil Engineering (or related) with a solid background in structural dynamics, stochastic dynamics, and/or geotechnical earthquake engineering that are motivated to complete a PhD within four years, starting 1 October 2013.

The Structural Mechanics Section of KU Leuven presently counts 3 professors (Guido De Roeck, Geert Degrande and Geert Lombaert), 6 post-doc researchers and 11 PhD students. We offer an excellent and international research environment in vibrations in the built environment, vibration based structural identification and evaluation, and shape and topology optimization of structures (www.kuleuven.be/bwm). We offer a competitive PhD grant of about 1870 euro per month (depending on family situation), subject to an annual increase of about 35 euro per month. We are working in a very nice environment, centrally located in Europe. More information on becoming a PhD student at KU Leuven and living in Leuven can be found at www.kuleuven.be/phd, set.kuleuven.be/phd (Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School) and www.kuleuven.be. Depending on their background (MSc diploma, research experience), students may need to pass a pre-doctoral test (e.g. selected courses and presentation of research plan) prior to being allowed to the PhD program. Interested persons are invited to email their application file (as a single pdf file) before 15 August 2013 to prof. Geert Degrande (geert.degrande@bwk.kuleuven.be), containing the following information: (1) motivation letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) list of publications, (4) transcript of records (BSc and MSc degrees), (5) copy of diplomas (BSc and MSc degrees), (6) proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL or IETLS certificate), and (7) contact details of two persons who can provide a reference on our request.