PRR Project

Summary

The job description of the Assistant Researcher to be hired involves a combination of teaching responsibilities at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra, and research activities at the R&D Unit CEMMPRE, integrated into the Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE) Associated Laboratory (AL). The detailed breakdown of the main aspects of the role are: Research:Engaging in research activities within the field of mechanics and materials engineering.Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences.Pursuing external research grants and funding to support research endeavours.Collaborating with colleagues, graduate students, and industry partners on research projects. Teaching:Deliver lectures, conduct seminars, and lead discussions related to mechanics and materials engineering topics.Contributing to the enhancement of the mechanics and materials engineering curriculum, within UC, introducing new courses or modifying existing ones to meet evolving societal needs.Providing guidance and mentorship to students in and outside the classroom.Engaging in outreach activities to promote courses offer by the mechanical engineering department and UC. Transversal activities:Promoting experimental and/or virtual facilities to support teaching and research.Advising undergraduate and graduate students on academic and career-related matters.Mentoring graduate students in their research projects and dissertations.Participating in R&D Institutions and university committees and meetings.Engaging in open science activities.Pursuing opportunities for professional growth and advancement.Establishing and maintaining relationships with the different stakeholders, such as industrial partners.Bringing societal challenges perspectives into the institution to maximize the impact of his/her research.The Assistant Researcher will be on a tenure track, and his/her research, teaching and transversal activities will be crucial for assuring the strengthening of the collaboration between the two groups of CEMMPRE: Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing, and Materials and Processes. He/She will work closely with colleagues, students, and external partners to contribute to the community and advance knowledge in mechanics and materials engineering. The rationale for hiring someone with expertise in the mentioned areas is based on the need to consolidate and improve the existing research team in Mechanics/Materials Manufacturing. The expertise in some of the following areas: Computational mechanics, Production and processing of materials, Synthesis of coatings and thin films, Manufacturing processes, Robustness and optimization in mechanical modelling, and/or Advanced materials characterization, is crucial to support the continuous development of the research field of Mechanics/Materials Manufacturing, for which the following challenges should be addressed:(1) Accuracy and Tolerance: Achieving high precision and tight tolerances in manufacturing processes is crucial, especially in industries like aerospace and medical devices, which can even be more challenging when dealing with coated surfaces. Maintaining standards consistently is vital to minimize waste of resources;(2) Material/Surface Selection: Selecting the right material/surface for a given application and ensuring compatibility with the manufacturing process chain requires accurate knowledge about its mechanical behaviour during processing, including thermal effects;(3) Complex Geometries and/or multi-material: Manufacturing components with intricate or complex geometries, while balancing costs, demands for the development of hybrid manufacturing processes, particularly when also addressing the surface properties.(4) Smart Manufacturing Integration: Integrating smart manufacturing technologies, such as IoT sensors and data analytics, into existing processes without disrupting production is essential for improving overall product quality.His/her expertise and research will contribute to strengthen CEMMPRE excellence in the area of Mechanics/Materials Manufacturing, facilitating collaborations, and forging partnerships, particularly within ARISE, since his/her profile is aligned with the thematic lines TL1 - New Materials and Components and TL 2 – Advanced production systems and processes. His/her expertise will also contribute for the renewal of the teaching staff of programs involving Mechanics/Materials Manufacturing at UC, for which he/she will mostly contribute for improving the offer in Advanced Specialisation and Lifelong Learning programmes.