Connectionists: [JOBS] PhD position "ML-based Modelling of Stainless Steel" at the University of Groningen, NL - deadline Sept 15, 2025

[Kerstin Bunte]

Fully funded PhD position in ML-based implementation of constitutive 
behaviour of Stainless Steel (1.0 FTE)
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-02S000BEXP

Closing date = 15-09-2025

We offer a  full time PhD position for the machine learning based 
implementation of constitutive behaviour of Stainless steel within the 
University of Groningen, The Netherlands. This is a great opportunity to 
work on sustainable materials, simulation modeling, and advanced machine 
learning methods with real industrial relevance (green steel, metal 
forming, and more). The position will be embedded in the Faculty of 
Science and Engineering (FSE) within the Engineering and Technology 
institute Groningen (ENTEG) in collaboration with the Bernoulli 
Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Metal forming is a widely used method to form steel products efficiently 
in mass manufacturing. As steel is highly recyclable its usage helps in 
creating a more sustainable world. For simulations of industrial 
processes concerning such complex materials one must typically rely on 
continuum models combined with the finite element method. This PhD 
project will develop model- and data-driven hybrid machine learning 
material models that capture the complex, nonlinear, path- and 
history-dependent behaviour of materials. The goal is to create material 
models based on advanced ML methods, and to seamlessly integrate these 
models into Finite Element Modelling (FEM) to replace expensive and 
time-consuming experimental procedures, thereby enhancing both time and 
cost efficiency in production pipelines.

Candidates with the following skills will be given preference:
    - a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, 
computer science, applied mathematics or a related field
    - a strong background in machine learning, material modeling, and 
metals processing, modeling and simulation (clear advantage for this 
position)
    - a keen interest in academic research
    - experience with programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and 
simulation software
    - a dynamic, creative and pioneering professional attitude with a 
willingness to work in a strongly interdisciplinary team and learn the 
cross-disciplinary foundations
    - and strong communication skills (fluent in English, both oral and 
written).

Supervisors: Prof. Jan Post and Prof. Kerstin Bunte
Deadline: 15 September 2025
Start Date: 1 Jan 2026
✅ Fully funded (4 years) under Dutch university agreement
✅ Gross salary: €2,901 (Yr 1) → €3,707 (Yr 4)
✅ Focus: Hybrid ML + FEM modelling for advanced stainless steel materials
✅ Strong interdisciplinary team: Engineering, Materials Science, AI, and ML
✅ Involvement with APE & Intelligent Systems groups
✅ International students welcome (English proficiency required)
💡 This is a great opportunity to work on sustainable materials, 
simulation modeling, and advanced ML with real industrial relevance 
(green steel, metal forming, and more).

More information can be found at: 
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-02S000BEXP

About the University of Groningen
Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an 
international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher 
education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study 
and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage currently 
more than 34,000 students and researchers to develop their own 
individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in 
Europe and the top 100 universities in the world, the University of 
Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

-- 
Kerstin Bunte, Professor of Machine Learning for interdisciplinary data science
Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Faculty of Science and Engineering
University of Groningen
Bernoulliborg, Nijenborgh 9, 9747 AG Groningen
The Netherlands

Email: k.bunte at rug.nl
web: http://www.cs.rug.nl/~kbunte/