Overview

About the programme

Although various simulation approaches describing fracture behaviour exist for particular types of materials and specific time and length scales, an integrated and all-encompassing approach that is able to capture fracture processes in different – and in particular heterogeneous – materials at various length and time resolutions is still lacking.

Thus, the objective of this interdisciplinary Fracture across Scales Research Training Group (RTG) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) consisting of experts from mechanics, materials science, mathematics, chemistry, and physics is to develop the necessary methodology to investigate the mechanisms underlying brittle fracture and how they are influenced by heterogeneity in various materials.

Programme Structure

Research projects include:

Chemistry at the Crack Tip
Atomistics of Crack-Heterogeneity Interactions
Fracture in Polymer Composites: Nano to Meso
Fragmentation in Large Scale DEM Simulations
Compressive Failure in Porous Materials
Fracture in Thermoplastics: Discrete-to-Continuum
Collective Phenomena in Failure at Complex Interfaces
Fracture in Polymer Composites: Meso to Macro
Adaptive Dynamic Fracture Simulation
Configurational Fracture/Surface Mechanics
Fracture Control by Material Optimization
Postdoctoral Project: Quantum-to-Continuum Model of Thermoset Fracture
Modelling of fragmentation and fracturing processes in deformation bands and faults, from single grains to seismic-scale faults
Passage from Atomistic-to-Continuum for Quasistatic and Dynamic Crack Growth

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-10-13 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

80

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IELTS

5.5

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Erlangen, Germany

Disciplines

Materials Science View 14 other PhDs in Materials Science in Germany

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

80

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

5.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To be admitted to a doctorate, you must usually prove that you have successfully completed a Master’s degree programme in the relevant subject area that is equivalent to a Master’s degree programme from a German university.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

Free
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

Free

Additional Details

At FAU tuition is free. However, students have to pay a semester contribution fee of 72 Euros for student services.

Living costs

Erlangen

Germany

730 - 1100 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Fracture across Scales.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

About the programme

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

EU/EEA Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Erlangen

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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