EngD position in Film Thickness measurement in Large bearings
The Department Mechanics of Solids, Surfaces & Systems (MS3) is part of the faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). It is currently seeking an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) candidate working on evaluating the thickness of films in large grease lubricated rolling element bearings.
Large Rolling Element Bearings are in use in many application such as trains, wind turbines, cranes, and other industrial applications. These bearings enable the rotation inside these systems, for example of the train wheels. If these bearings fail, this often means that the whole system cannot function anymore and must be repaired causing high costs and disruptions.
In this project a system will be designed which enables the measurement of the lubrication state inside grease lubricated bearings. The system will make use of electrical methods and can thus be applied to real bearings. With the help of this system it will be possible to improve and fine tune the life time models. Furthermore, they may enable users to actually base their maintenance on the real condition inside the bearing. This will allow the maintenance to be done at an optimal time and thus save material and make the systems more reliable. It also supplies a tool to study the lubrication of large bearings in more detail which can lead to development and optimisation of future systems.
The position will be embedded in the SKF University Technology Centre (UTC) on grease lubrication and is linked to the Surface Technology and Tribology and the Tribology Based Maintenance (TBM) chairs. Our enthusiastic group is highly international and has a long history of research in the area of tribology. Our research combines both experimental research as well as model development in diverse tribology and degradation related topics.
The implemented system relies on the electrical impedance of a lubricated contact. By using the capacitance of the system the film thickness can be determined. The electrical resistance can be used to understand lubricant changes as well as mixed lubrication conditions. An existing model can be used to infer from the measured total impedance to the impedance of all the inhomougenously loaded contacts within the bearing.
The design work in this project entails the technical steps:
- Mechanical and electrical implementation
- Development of an evaluation methodology
- Building and implementing in experimental bearing setup
- Validation, Reporting and Handbook writing.
The candidate is expected to plan and carry out their research in alignment with the project goal. They will report during progress meetings of our research group and with the project partner. The industrial partner will be actively involved in the project by discussions, performing analysis and experiments.
The university offers a very stimulating scientific environment and a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important aspect of the strategic agenda.
Information and application
Interested after reading this vacancy? Applications should include the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Grades of the BSc and MSc courses
- IELTS or TOEFL score (if necessary)
- Contact information of 2 references
Please submit your application before April, 2nd, 2026,
using the “Apply now” button. The selection procedure includes an interview and scientific presentation.
For more information, contact prof.dr.ir. M.B. de Rooij (m.b.derooij@utwente.nl) or dr. N. Bader (n.f.bader@utwente.nl )
The first round of interviews will take place on April, 9th, 2026.
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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