Postdoctoral Fellow, Digital Composite Manufacturing

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.
- The _Employment Equity Act_, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

**City**: Ottawa; Montréal

**Organizational Unit**: Aerospace

**Classification**: RO

**Tenure**: Term

**Duration**:2 years

**Language Requirements**: English

**Work arrangements**: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

**The program**:
The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).

**Project title**:
Bridging the Gap: Evolving Data-Driven Digital Twins for Automated Composite Processing

**The role**:
While composite structures are commonly used in aerospace, their broad adoption is limited by the lengthy certification process, which involves performing and documenting thousands of mechanical tests at various scales to demonstrate that the material will behave as intended despite normal variations in the material itself, its processing and its operational environment.

The objective of this project is to develop a methodology to characterize and quantify how the microstructural morphology of the as-laid Automated Fibre Placement parts evolve during the cure cycle to form the as-cured structure and determine the impact on as-tested performance. The project will leverage one-of-a-kind in-process imaging data to gain unparalleled insights into the laminate microstructure.

The outcome of this work will be a predictive capability to quantify the impact of process-related irregularities on performance knockdown. This is the first step in the plan to quantifiably and explicitly link as-designed to as-flown composite structures.

**Education**:
PhD in engineering or data science fields.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

**Experience**:

- Proven experience in mechanical analysis and design of composite structures, including the use of finite element modelling and simulation tools. Experience with data-driven design optimization would be an asset;
- Direct hands-on experience in advanced composite manufacturing, particularly automated fibre placement (AFP), and proficiency in composite process monitoring techniques; experience in characterization and testing of composite materials;
- Proven experience with fusion, and analysis of multi-source datasets (e.g., mechanical, process, and imaging data). Proficiency in data science techniques, large dataset handling, and Python-based programming;
- Experience in the publication of high caliber research papers, demonstrated by authorship of publications in high-impact peer-reviewed scientific journals;
- Experience delivering clear, impactful presentations and written materials — effectively translating complex concepts for diverse audiences to drive understanding and collaboration;
- Experience working both independently and collaboratively in multi-disciplinary and multi-partner research team(s); and
- Project management and organizational skills with experience in planning, organizing, managing, monitoring, and completing multiple projects and initiatives.

**Language requirements**:
English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

**Condition of employment**:
Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

**Who is eligible?**:

- Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
- Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.
- Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.

**Application requirements**:

- Resume
- Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)
- PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.
- List of Publications

In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.

**Compensation**:
The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

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