Postdoctoral researcher in fibre reinforced polymer composites (2 year position)

Are you interested in advancing our understanding of fracture and damage tolerance in fibre reinforced polymer composites, and in contributing to the development of new modelling approaches at the interface between mechanics and machine learning? We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a fixed term, full time position at the Department of Materials and Production on Aalborg campus, starting 1 January 2027. The position offers two years of focused research in an international environment, combined with teaching and supervision tasks

Your work tasks

In this postdoctoral position, you will contribute to research on laminated fibre reinforced polymer composites with a particular focus on fracture mechanics and damage tolerance. You will work with multiscale modelling of mixed mode delamination and with extrinsic toughening mechanisms in laminated composites, including fibre bridging and related phenomena. The overall aim is to develop models and tools that provide deeper insight into how fracture processes at micro and meso scales influence the structural response at an engineering scale, and to use this insight to support the design of damage tolerant composite structures.

You will be responsible for developing and analysing numerical models that describe progressive damage in laminated composites, with a clear emphasis on transferring detailed fracture mechanisms to models that can be used in engineering applications. This includes working with hybrid approaches that combine advanced damage models with machine learning-enhanced numerical simulations, and exploring how these approaches can be applied to relevant composite structures. You will be expected to take active ownership of your research, from problem formulation and model development to interpretation of results and dissemination in international journals and at conferences.

The position also includes teaching and supervision tasks. You will contribute to courses and project supervision within the Mechanical Engineering educational programs or related programs, and you will be involved in supervising BSc, MSc and potentially PhD students whose work relates to composite mechanics and structural analysis. Through these activities, you will help to strengthen the link between cutting edge research and education at the Department of Materials and Production, and you will take part in the day to day academic life at the department.

Qualification requirements 

Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level. 

Your competencies 

You have a PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline. Your background gives you a solid foundation in mechanics of materials and structural analysis, and you have already demonstrated the ability to carry out independent research at a high international level. You bring substantial experience with multiscale modelling of mixed mode delamination in laminated fibre reinforced polymer composites, and you are familiar with the key challenges involved in describing how different fracture modes interact in layered structures.

You have worked with extrinsic toughening mechanisms in laminated composites, including fibre bridging and related processes, and you understand how such mechanisms contribute to improved damage tolerance at the structural level. You have experience with integrating advanced damage models into numerical simulation frameworks, and you are able to develop computationally efficient approaches to progressive damage modelling. It is natural for you to think in terms of hybrid modelling strategies that combine physics-based simulations with machine learning when addressing complex fracture problems, and you are comfortable translating detailed micro  and mesoscale mechanisms into models that can be used for engineering design and assessment.

You have a track record of publishing in renowned international journals within mechanics, materials or related fields, and you are familiar with the process of disseminating research to both academic and applied audiences. Experience with grant applications is an advantage, as it demonstrates an ability to formulate convincing research ideas and to connect them to broader scientific and societal agendas. You speak and write English fluently and are at ease presenting your work and participating in technical discussions in an international environment.

As a person, you are an independent researcher who takes responsibility for your projects and follows them through from initial idea to final publication. At the same time, you value collaboration and are able to work closely with colleagues in your research environment. You contribute actively to discussions, share your insights with others and are willing to support students and junior researchers. You are structured in your approach to complex problems, curious about new methods and open to exploring how your work can be linked to related activities in the section of Physics, Mechanics and Materials.

Who we are

You will be employed at the Department of Materials and Production at Aalborg University, Aalborg campus, and become part of the Cracks in Composite Structures (CraCS) research group. The research group focuses on the predictive modeling, characterization, and quantitative analysis of structural degradation in laminated composite architectures. Their primary focus lies in the formulation of high-fidelity numerical frameworks, incorporating advanced finite element methodologies and cohesive zone modeling, to simulate multi-axial crack initiation, progressive damage propagation, and time-dependent fatigue behavior under dynamic and static loading regimes. To calibrate and validate these computational models, the group has engineered automated, high-precision experimental test benches.  

You will join an international academic environment where collaboration across topics and disciplines is strongly encouraged, and where research and teaching are closely connected.
In your daily work, you will interact with colleagues who are engaged in both experimental and theoretical studies of mechanical behaviour, and you will have the opportunity to discuss and develop ideas together with researchers working on related topics. The department values a working atmosphere characterized by openness, professional dialogue and mutual support, and you will be encouraged to contribute your own perspective to the ongoing development of the group’s activities.

We offer a full time, fixed term postdoctoral position for two years, starting 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. Within this framework, there is room to plan your research in a way that allows for thorough investigations and careful dissemination. You will have access to the university’s infrastructure, and you will be supported in participating in relevant conferences and workshops, as funding permits. You will have good opportunities to develop your academic profile through both research and teaching responsibilities.

How to apply  

Your application must include the following: 

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Diplomas (master’s degree diploma and PhD diploma) 
• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications. 
• Documentation of teaching qualifications if relevant.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc. 
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position 
• References/recommendations 

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.    

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University’s website.  

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position. 

Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. International staff are encouraged, with support from the university, to learn Danish during their employment in order to support their integration into the workplace and Danish society. 

Danish language courses will be offered as part of the employment. 

Do you have any questions? 

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.     

Further information 

Read more about our recruitment process here   

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.  

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace. 

Salary and terms of employment  

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment – Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “Postdoc”.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University – Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.