Research Associate – Multi-Material High-Speed Laser Cladding with the option of a PhD thesis at ETH Zurich

inspire AG is the leading Swiss competence center for product innovation and advanced manufacturing. As a strategic partner of ETH Zurich, our mission is to transfer knowledge and technology from research to Swiss machine, electrical and metal industries.

The research group Laser Material Processing at inspire offers in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) at ETH Zurich the following position of a Research Associate.

Our research group uses direct energy deposition (DED) to manufacture hybrid parts, apply coatings, and repair products. High-Speed Laser Cladding (HSLC) is a new DED process in which powder material is molten in flight before it reaches the surface. This results in very high productivity, low heat input and excellent bonding – even for dissimilar materials (multi-material). The benefits of coatings to bring the properties of products to a new level are versatile. Coatings can improve thermal resistance, minimized corrosion, increase the lifetime of a product by high wear resistance, and reduce friction. At the same time, bonding the coating to the substrate is challenging as dissimilar materials are commonly used. Conventional DED requires coatings and substrate to be similar. Conventional spray methods rely on adhesion by mechanical interlocking and delaminate easily due to the missing metallurgical bond. HSLC combines the best of both worlds and eliminates their drawbacks.

The main goal of your work is the development of laser processes for the coating of industrial products. The research is part of a multiannual industrial research project and includes the development of processes and processing strategies with pulsed lasers and multi-material coating characterization.

Your tasks:

• Development of a laser process (such as laser power, spot size, speed, gas flows, mass flow, hatch, layer height) to coat different substrates (e.g., aluminium, steel, titanium) with a dissimilar material (such as copper-based alloys) – multi-material multi-layer coatings.
• Coating analysis and qualification according to industry standards (such as bonding, porosity, cracking, wear resistance) together with material experts
• Transfer of the newly developed process to parts and components on an industrial machine
• Generalization of research results in contexts, guidelines, models and/or simulations to make them transferable to new application areas (different or new materials, requirements, or products)

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland
• Master’s degree (technical university, university) in materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or similar.
• Excellent grades to meet the requirements for doctoral studies at ETH Zurich
• Knowledge of laser material processing
• Experiences in materials analysis (e.g., microscopy, hardness measurement)
• A good knowledge (written/oral) of English is mandatory. Knowledge of German is preferred.
  
  
  
• Highly self-organized and structured way of working
• High motivation and willingness to learn new skills
• High level of team-orientation, positive work attitude and creativity
• Willingness to teach (about 10%)

inspire AG is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.

We offer a full-time scientific position with the option of a PhD thesis at ETH Zurich. Through close cooperation with our project partners, you will quickly establish contacts with the Swiss industry, and in our young team, you will work at the forefront of today's knowledge in laser material processing.