PhD scholarship in Broadband Vibroacoustic Shape Optimization using Model Order Reduction Methods – DTU Electro

This doctoral project is part of a larger, multidisciplinary and international project VAMOR: “Vibro-Acoustic Model Order Reduction” (GA 101119903) funded under the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks within the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Commission.
This doctoral project is part of a larger, multidisciplinary and international project VAMOR: “Vibro-Acoustic Model Order Reduction” (GA 101119903) funded under the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks within the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Commission.

VAMOR contributes to a more sustainable and quieter future for Europe. Noise pollution has arisen as one of the key factors towards the degradation of the quality of life in European societies. In that context, efficient physics-based sound modelling is a key enabler towards not only optimized and sustainable acoustic profiles through efficient design procedures, but also affordable so-called digital twins that monitor product performance in real time. To this end, the overarching goal of VAMOR is to provide high level scientific and transferable skills training on a new generation of efficient vibro-acoustic modelling techniques, so-called model order reduction (MOR) strategies, to a group of high achieving, competent doctoral candidates to promote a quieter and more sustainable environment. VAMOR brings together a remarkable consortium, which combines research leading academic institutions - KU Leuven, Technische Universitaet Munchen (TUM), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan (KTH), Universite du Mans, Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers (CNAM) - with a constantly innovating, wide variety of industrial partners working on software, material, testing, design and sound enhancement (Siemens Industry Software NV, Müller BBM, Trèves, Phononic Vibes, Saint-Gobain Ecophon, Tyréns, Purifi ApS).

As part of VAMOR this project offers you a multidisciplinary challenge that combines knowledge from optimization, electroacoustics, efficient numerical models and coupled mechanical and acoustical modeling. This PhD scholarship in Broadband vibroacoustic shape optimization using model order reduction methods is one of the VAMOR positions, offered by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), with the Danish loudspeaker company PURIFI as industrial partner. At DTU, you will work at the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering (DTU Electro), Technical University of Denmark (DTU). You will be part of the Acoustic Technology group at DTU Electro and the Centre for Acoustic-Mechanical Microsystems (CAMM). You will join a group of recognized researchers and have access to world-class facilities. Your fellow PhD candidates work in topics related to your own, creating a lively environment to thrive in. In KUL the research will be hosted by the Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics division (LMSD), which currently counts >100 researchers and is part of the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. More information on the research group can be found on the website: www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/research/mod/about and our linkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/showcase/lmsd-kuleuven/.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This project aims at the application of MOR to the optimization of electroacoustic devices that involve the interaction of mechanical and acoustical domains, i.e. vibroacoustics. At DTU and KUL, you will have access to state-of-the-art knowledge on numerical methods, MOR and numerical optimization. You will collaborate with the company PURIFI, a research-based producer of high-end loudspeaker units with wide practical experience on transducer non-linearities, measurement methods, and optimization techniques. You will be expected to extend and streamline models, opening up new possibilities for vibroacoustic design. This will be achieved by the use of MOR techniques to accelerate broadband vibroacoustic gradient-based shape optimization. More specifically, you will:

• Incorporate model order reduction methods into a vibroacoustic finite element and boundary element framework, aimed at facilitating fast and efficient broadband frequency sweeps.
• Develop an adjoint gradient estimation method, based on the reduced vibroacoustic models,
• Utilize the method to perform shape optimization of broadband vibroacoustic applications, starting with single loudspeaker components and continuing with complete loudspeaker drivers,
• Propose new objective functions which will allow for sound quality criteria,
• Evaluate and compare the developed broadband shape optimization framework with the more traditional and cumbersome non-reduced vibroacoustic shape optimization approaches.

Your activities during the PhD project will include:

• Following courses on topics related with your project, either at DTU, KUL or other institutions,
• Contributing to teaching and supervision tasks at DTU,
• Attending international conferences and events where you will present your work,
• Publishing your research results in scientific, peer reviewed journals,
• Complete a double degree secondment at KUL for 8 months and an industrial secondment at PURIFI for 2 months.

Your required qualifications and skills are:

• A two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in the fields of acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, computer science, physics or equivalent,
• Knowledge of numerical methods and programming,
• Excellent command of English both spoken and written.
• Eligible Doctoral Candidates for this EU Action should be mobile, i.e. cannot have resided in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the date of recruitment.
• Eligible Doctoral Candidates should not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU as well as in the PhD program of the Arenberg Doctoral School of KU Leuven. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. Being part of a dual doctorate programme, at the end of the program a dual degree will be awarded.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Assoc. Prof. Vicente Cutanda Henríquez and Assoc. Prof. Niels Aage for the DTU, while for KU Leuven the assessment will be made by Prof. Elke Deckers and Dr. Dionysios Panagiotopoulos.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
You will receive a monthly gross salary of 3400€ multiplied with the country specific coefficient of Denmark (1.32). The net income will result after the deduction of income tax, social contributions, and other permitted deductions that need to be considered. In addition to the net salary, you will receive a mobility allowance of 600€. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
DTU Electro is at the forefront of the technical and natural sciences with new initiatives within a number of internationally demanding engineering disciplines. We perform research within nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics, acoustics, power electronics, robotics, and autonomous systems.

The KU Leuven Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics research group aims at creating added value during every phase (design - manufacturing - operations) in the lifetime of mecha(tro)nic systems by understanding, monitoring and controlling their dynamic (motion-vibration-acoustics) behaviour. To this end, the research conducted at LMSD spans a broad spectrum from methodologies, over theoretical foundations, to various application domains.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 May 2024 (23.59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion, or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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