I am a Computational Materials Scientist with a PhD in Computational Materials Design and several years of postdoctoral experience working on advanced materials. My background includes ab initio calculations, phase stability, and magnetic materials, with a strong focus on connecting theoretical modeling to real engineering needs. I enjoy turning complex simulations into practical insights, and I have contributed both to academic research—through publications—and to applied engineering problems such as vehicle structures and aerodynamics
Senior R&D Engineer at CAE Trucks - Vehicle Structure & Aerodynamics
Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye
→
Summary
Led advanced computational analysis and simulation efforts for vehicle structure within the CAE Trucks division, enhancing durability and multi-body system performance.
Highlights
Conducted comprehensive durability analyses for truck cab and multi-body systems, identifying critical stress points and recommending design improvements that enhanced structural integrity.
Developed and validated complex computational models for vehicle components, reducing physical prototyping needs and accelerating the design iteration cycle.
Collaborated with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate simulation results into the design process, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with industry standards.
Post-doctoral Researcher at Theoretical Chemistry
Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
→
Summary
Conducted advanced theoretical chemistry research, focusing on quantum mechanical modeling and computational simulations to explore novel materials and chemical reactions for bi-functional electrocatalyst systems.
Highlights
Performed quantum mechanical modeling of bifunctional electrocatalysts, contributing to the theoretical design of novel materials for fuel cell applications.
Investigated atomistic modeling of anodic reactions, providing critical insights into electrochemical processes and material degradation mechanisms.
Authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, disseminating research findings to the scientific community and advancing the field of theoretical chemistry.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary research groups to apply computational methods to complex chemical problems, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange.
Post-doctoral Researcher at Computational Materials Design department
Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
→
Summary
Executed advanced computational materials design projects, specializing in ab initio methods and computational phase studies to develop and characterize novel materials.
Highlights
Conducted ab initio based finite temperature phase stability studies, contributing to the fundamental understanding and design of advanced materials with tailored properties.
Developed and applied screening methodologies for substitutional doping effects in magnetic materials, enhancing their stability and performance for industrial applications.
PhD Student at Computational Materials Design department
Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
→
Summary
Conducted doctoral research on ab initio phase stabilities of Ce-based hard magnetic materials, developing a comprehensive understanding of their thermodynamic properties and potential for industrial applications.
Highlights
Investigated Ce-based hard magnetic materials using ab initio methods as an alternative to Nd-Fe-B magnets, performing thermodynamic phase stability calculations considering vibrational, electronic, and magnetic contributions.
Developed and implemented a novel screening methodology for 3d and 4d substitutional doping effects, enabling the consideration of a large number of substitutions to improve the relative stability of desired hard magnetic phases.
Calculated and optimized the performance of various transition metals, validating theoretical predictions through comparison with reactive crucible melting experiments.
Mechanical Design Engineer
Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye
→
Summary
Designed mechanical components and performed materials characterization, contributing to the development of shear forming and free flow forming machines.
Highlights
Executed mechanical design of shear forming and free flow forming machines, optimizing component performance and manufacturing processes.
Conducted materials characterization of samples, providing critical data for material selection and design validation.
Applied engineering principles to solve design challenges, contributing to the successful development of industrial machinery.
Internship
Sakarya, Sakarya, Türkiye
→
Summary
Gained practical engineering experience within the military defense industry, supporting various project phases and technical tasks.
Highlights
Assisted engineering teams in the design and analysis of military defense components, contributing to project documentation and technical reports.
Participated in hands-on tasks related to manufacturing and assembly processes, gaining exposure to industrial production environments.
→
PhD
Computational Materials Design
Courses
PhD Thesis: Ab initio phase stabilities of Ce-based hard magnetic materials
→
MSc
Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Materials Simulation
Courses
MSc Thesis: Ab initio investigations on the energetics and kinetics of defects in Fe-Al alloys
→
BSc
Mechanical Engineering
Grade: 3rd place (Faculty Ranked Graduation)
Courses
BSc Thesis: Mechanical and electronic design of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)
Awarded By
CALPHAD Journal
Recognized for an outstanding paper published in 2020, demonstrating significant contributions to the field of computational thermodynamics.
Awarded By
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
Awarded a competitive grant to support postdoctoral research activities in advanced materials science.
Awarded By
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Received a prestigious grant to fund postdoctoral research, validating the scientific merit and potential impact of proposed studies.
Awarded By
Robert BOSCH-Forschungsstiftung
Awarded a fellowship to support doctoral studies and research in computational materials design.
Awarded By
International Graduation Project Contest
Secured 3rd place in an international competition for the graduation project, highlighting innovative design and engineering skills.
Awarded By
FMV Işık University
Achieved 3rd place in faculty ranking upon graduation, recognizing academic excellence in Mechanical Engineering.
Published by
Under review
Summary
Explored active learning from first-principles calculations to accelerate the discovery of rare-earth-free magnetic materials.
Published by
Physical Review Materials
Summary
Combined theoretical and experimental approaches to study the effects of Si and Co substitution on Fe2P-type magnets' properties.
Published by
CALPHAD: Comput. Coupling Phase Diagrams Thermochem.
Summary
Analyzed the influence of magnetism on the phase stability of rare-earth based hard magnetic materials through computational coupling phase diagrams.
Published by
Physical Review Materials
Summary
Investigated the phase stability of Ce-based hard magnetic materials using ab initio methods, comparing theoretical predictions with experimental phase diagrams.
Fluent
Native
Conversational
Ab Initio Calculations, Density Functional Theory (DFT), Computational Materials Design, Phase Stability, Thermodynamic Modeling, Quantum Mechanical Modeling, Atomistic Modeling, Multiscale Simulation.
Magnetic Materials, Rare-Earth Materials, Fe-Al Alloys, Ti-Ta Shape Memory Alloys, Defect Analysis, Phase Transformations, Microstructure Analysis, Materials Properties.
Finite Element Method (FEM), CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), Vehicle Structure & Aerodynamics, Durability Analysis, Multi Body Simulation, Mechanical Design, Topology Optimization, Design Optimization, Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC).
Scientific Research, Experimental Validation, Data Analysis, Problem Solving, Methodology Development, Grant Writing, Scientific Writing, Project Management.
Simulation Software (VASP, LAMMPS - inferred), Data Visualization Tools, Scripting (Python - inferred), High-Performance Computing (HPC), ANSA, META, PERMAS.
Head of Computational Phase Studies Group, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, t.hickel@mpie.de, +49 211 6792 397
Director of Computational Materials Design Department, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, j.neugebauer@mpie.de, +49 211 6792 465
→
Summary
Thermoset and thermoplastic materials are tested, validated and simulated on vehicles for rough road conditions
→
Summary
MBS models prepared and run for FUSO vehicle projects for various rough road conditions
→
Summary
Investigated phase transformations in Ti-Ta high temperature shape memory alloys using Adaptive Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations.
→
Summary
Conducted combined *ab initio* and Kinetic Monte Carlo studies to understand nano-precipitate formation and behavior in steels.
→
Summary
Executed mechanical design for specialized forming machines and performed materials characterization for relevant samples.
→
Summary
Led the mechanical design of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), focusing on operational criteria and performance capabilities.
→
Summary
Conducted experimental investigations into adiabatic shear bands in pure copper, analyzing material deformation under extreme conditions.
→
Summary
Contributed to the mechanical design of the Apollo solar car, focusing on lightweight and efficient structural components.