Post-doc EMATS development for the non-destructive evaluation of rails
A propos de nous
Gustave Eiffel University, an innovative model of higher education that brings together universities, specialist schools and research organisations, has several teaching and research campuses across the country.
The institution has over 15,000 students and more than 3,000 teaching and research staff, researchers and support staff across 33 laboratories, 15 academic departments, as well as within its support services.
The university is active in numerous fields of research and, on its own, accounts for a quarter of French research into the cities of tomorrow. It brings together multidisciplinary expertise to conduct high-quality research for the benefit of society, offer training programmes tailored to the socio-economic landscape, and support public policy.
Gustave Eiffel University is also France’s leading university for apprenticeship programmes, training young people, employees and members of the public at all levels; it provides scientific insights to society as a whole and ultimately aims to help raise the level of qualifications for everyone.
Watch the promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uVHEAaj75A
Mission proposée
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoc with proven research abilities to take up a position on the development of EMATs solutions. You will participate in an applied research project funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) within a consortium framework composed of the GeoEND Laboratory (Gustave Eiffel University, Nantes Campus), I2M (Bordeaux University) and SNCF-Réseau, dealing with the safety of rail infrastructure.
Your work will take place in the WorkPackage3 dedicated to “EMATs development towards non-contact imaging” where you will undertake the development of EMATs solutions in view of their implementation for the non-destructive evaluation of a rail structure.
(The [WP2] “Piezoelectric demonstrator for 2D contact topological imaging” and the [WP4] “3D modeling of damaged rails and digital twin for waveguide imaging” are the other main constitutive project WPs).
Of concern in the WP3 is the detection of buried defects in rail parts (i.e. head, web, foot) with EMATs located at the rail head. Surface defects will not be considered in this work.
A special attention will be paid to bulk wave EMATs (guided-wave EMATs might also be considered if any guided wave mode solutions possibly emerge from the WP4 work in progress).
In this frame, your goal will be to develop, build and test shear-wave EMATs.
To do so, experimental research will be performed at a laboratory scale to gradually conduct tests and validation. In a first stage, experiments will be carried out on free-defect metallic block samples of non-ferromagnetic and ferromagnetic materials respectively. To drive these EMATs, the existing high-power sources at the GeoEND laboratory will be used preferably. However, alternative solutions regarding other driving sources types could in some ways be addressed (i.e. low power type, specific excitation signal). In a second stage, the case of a rail specimen will be considered. The experience gained in the design of shear bulk wave EMATS in the first stage will be valuable. In this second part, your work will consist to move forward potential solutions for rails in view of the detection of special defects defined by SNCF-Reseau specifications. This will still be done at a laboratory scale on free-defect rail samples and rail samples with machined-defect.
Le profil idéal
You must hold a PhD in Acoustics, Physics of waves or related fields (see “Research field” item in the description), or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of research methods and techniques to work within the program. You are motivated by the experimental approach and the multiphysics approach. Skills and experience in physics of EMATs is required. Proficiency in the development of EMATs will be highly beneficial. You must have an experience of 3 to 5 years in the domain