PhD Student (d/f/m) on Paint Durability - Assessment and modeling of paint aging mechanisms

In order to support the Structural Paints & Coating department, Airbus Operations is looking for a PhD Student in the field of Paint Durability - Assessment and modeling of paint aging mechanisms (d/f/m).

Location: Bremen

Start: As soon as possible

Duration: 36 months

Bremen is a charming, historic city in the north-west of Germany with a 100-year history of commercial aircraft manufacturing. As well as being one of the greenest cities in the country, it offers wonderful sights, a rich culture, urban flair and culinary delights. It's also a great place for seaside lovers, being located just an hour's drive from the North Sea coast.

Your benefits

• Attractive salary and work-life balance with a 35-hour week (flexitime).
• Mobile working after agreement with the department.
• Traveling in Europe or within Germany is possible after consultation and agreement from the department.
• International environment with the opportunity to network globally.
• Work with modern/diversified technologies.
• Challenging scientific project with the opportunity to collaborate with Airbus experts, research institutes and universities.
• Opportunity to participate in the Generation Airbus Community to expand your own network.

Dare to go further! Within the Airbus Commercial Aircraft division and the Engineering Materials, Processes and Tests Center of Competences, the "Surface Technology team" is a multidisciplinary and international team, in charge of the development and qualification of paints and coatings applied on aircrafts. By joining our team, you will work in a dynamic and fast-paced business environment where your proven experience, expertise and knowledge directly impacts day-to-day business operations. We value your development and wellbeing.

Your tasks and responsibilities

Airframe paint systems are complex (multiple thin layers, made of different materials/chemistry, subject to serial rework and in-service maintenance…), and exposed to aggressive conditions (temperature and stress cycling, UV, humidity, scratches…). Our technical challenge is to develop paint systems that can withstand up to 30 years in-service. This is even more challenging on composite structure where the different behavior between the coating and the composite material is creating stress in the paint layers. On top, aging is per definition a factor that acts as an aggravating factor and reduces the durability of the paint system, that must be taken into account during the development of new paint systems. In order to decrease both testing effort and lead time for new developments, analysis and prediction capabilities for paint aging and durability need to be developed.

The objective of the thesis are:

• Assessment of critical aging mechanisms for individual paint layers / material
• Modeling of the evolution of the key materials properties during aging
• Identification of associated accelerated material characterizations

This will ease the development of next generation paint systems:

• Faster design & qualification of future paint systems, for all substrates (metallic or composite)
• Enabler for more innovative & sustainable solutions (greener coatings, reduced weight, faster manufacturing processes, reduced maintenance…)

The academic supervision will be supported by Airbus. Your activities will be driven by a multi-functional team within Airbus (surface technologies, stress and simulation, lab testing…). If these new opportunities and challenges are what you are looking for, we are ready to support you all along your integration!

Desired skills and qualifications

• Graduated with Master (d/f/m) in Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical, Material, Mechanical Engineering
• Experience in surface technology, paint & coating, corrosion protection is considered as a plus
• Experience in the numerical simulation is desired
• Very good communication and analytical skills mandatory
• High degree of initiative, credibility, independence, integrity, confidentiality and trust
• Ability to work in multi-location international team and multi-functional team
• Languages: Negotiation level of English mandatory and French/German/Spanish is considered a plus.

Please upload the following documents: cover letter, CV, relevant transcripts, diploma.

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth. Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all.

As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.