PhD position: Measurement concept for fatigue condition assessment
The Chairs of Dynamics Based Maintenance and Nonlinear Solid Mechanics within the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the University of Twente have an opening for a PhD position focused on developing a non-destructive and non-intrusive method to inspect used bearings and assess the measured microstructure-level characteristics that can reveal accumulated fatigue damage. This research project is part of the National Growth Fund program Growing with Green Steel and managed by the Materials Innovation Institute (M2i).
Remanufacturing of steel products, in particular bearings, is a promising method to make more efficient use of materials and resources and hence to reduce the emissions associated with the production of new steel for these applications. The main challenge in increasing the market share of remanufactured steel products is the ability to measure the accumulated sub-surface fatigue damage during prior use of the material. Currently, there is no non-destructive and non-intrusive method to measure the characteristics of the microstructure of the material that can reveal the accumulated fatigue damage. This research project aims at developing the measurement technology that will make this possible. Initially, the focus will be on medium sized bearings, such as for example used in railway applications, while a generalisation to for example structural steel is foreseen in the last phase of the research.
From a theoretical point of view, it is known that martensitic phases in hardened steel, as used in bearings, tend to degrade before the formation of microcracks, marking the onset of (rolling contact) fatigue damage. It is also established that both electromagnetic and ultrasonic measurement methods are sensitive to microstructural changes. However, a quantitative relation between the phase transformations and early microcracks, on the one hand, and one or more measurable features, on the other hand is not yet available. Moreover, the sensitivity and accuracy of these measurement methods for detecting such early-stage damage remain insufficiently understood. Microstructure-level models will be developed to investigate and quantify the interaction between microstructure properties and measurable features. This modelling will be supported by targeted experimental work, aiming to establish a robust method for assessing accumulated fatigue damage in a remanufactured bearing and, more generally, in remanufactured steel components.
Information and application
Please submit your application before July 28th, 2025, using the "Apply now" button, and include the following:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Transcripts from your BSc and MSc courses
- IELTS or TOEFL score
- Contact information of 2 references
First (online) interviews will be held on mid to end of August 2025.
For more information, you can contact dr.ir. Richard Loendersloot email: r.loendersloot@utwente.nl.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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