Elastic; non-linear metamaterial concepts efficient mitigation of low frequency transient

Offer Description

KU Leuven Research Field Engineering – Mechanical engineering – Simulation engineering – Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) – Belgium – Final date to receive applications 28 February 2026 – 23:59 (UTC) – Type of Contract Temporary – Job Status Full-time – Offer Starting Date 1 March 2026 – Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? No – Reference Number BAP- – Is the job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

This PhD project is part of the Global PhD Partnership between KU Leuven and Eindhoven University of Technology. It focuses on the innovative application of elastic metamaterials for transient and low-frequency vibration mitigation, with a specific focus on their application in the next generation of high-tech systems in the semiconductor industry. The PhD researcher will conduct research across both institutions, spending two years at KU Leuven and two years at TU Eindhoven.

The researcher will explore and quantify the potential of elastic metamaterials to achieve transient wave attenuation, with a particular focus on low-frequency vibration mitigation. Advanced simulation frameworks will be developed, combining wave & finite element based methods, multi-scale homogenization, and nonlinear modelling to efficiently investigate and evaluate a wide range of metamaterial concepts. Building on these tools, the researcher will devise structural optimization strategies to tailor the metamaterial architecture for targeted dynamic performance.

The most promising designs will then be validated experimentally, first in a controlled academic prototype and subsequently on a lithography scanner stage demonstrator in collaboration with ASML.

The PhD is supervised by Prof. Elke Deckers () from the KU Leuven LMSD division. The research is hosted by the Mecha(tro) nic System Dynamics (LMSD), which currently counts >100 researchers and is part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of KU Leuven. The research group has a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrially relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both highly ranked academic journals and industrial fora.

More information can be found on the website:  and on the Linked In page:

The PhD will be co‑supervised by Prof. Varvara Kouznetsova (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) from the Mechanics of Materials group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The group focuses on multi‑scale mechanics of solids, aiming to understand and predict how microstructural mechanisms shape the macroscopic behaviour of advanced engineering and functional materials. Their work combines theoretical development, computational modelling and close interaction with experimental efforts.

More information can be found on the group’s website: tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/mechanics-of-materials/group-kouznetsova.

I hold a master’s degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics and performed above average compared to my peers. I do not possess a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.

I am proficient in written and spoken English.

During my courses or prior professional activities, I have gathered basic experience with the physical principles of structural dynamics and (vibro‑)acoustics and related numerical modelling techniques, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM). If not, I have a profound interest in these topics. Experience with or knowledge of nonlinear dynamics, optimisation and associated numerical methods is considered a bonus.

As a PhD researcher in the KU Leuven LMSD division and TU Eindhoven Mechanics of Materials group, I conduct research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between theories and implement and improve methodologies myself.

I set up and update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months to work towards my research goals, working with sufficient independence to follow my plan and achieve the goals. I indicate timely when deviations of the plan are required, if goals cannot be met, or if I want to…