Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Jiří Burša, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Jiří Burša, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Luboš Náhlík, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Jaroslav Katolický, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jindřich Petruška, CSc.
prof. Ing. Miroslav Raudenský, CSc.
prof. Ing. Ivo Dlouhý, CSc.
doc. Ing. Robert Grepl, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Michal Kotoul, DrSc.

The study programme in Applied Mechanics is focused on the preparation of highly qualified experts with the prerequisites for scientific work, mastering modern computational and experimental methods in the field of body mechanics, including specific areas of mechatronics and biomechanics. The aim of the study is to provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the field of mechanics corresponding to the topic of doctoral studies. To achieve the set goals and profile, students complete the subjects prescribed by their Individual Study Plan, which creates a theoretical basis for mastering the topic at the highest level. They then prove their practical mastery of the topic by passing the State Doctoral Examination and preparing and defending the Doctoral Dissertation.

Graduates of the doctoral program Applied Mechanics have highly specialized professional knowledge and competencies, especially in modern computational and experimental methods in the field of applied mechanics, or mechatronics or biomechanics, and their use in research and development in technical and medical. At the same time, it has professional adaptability, which gives great chances for employment in research and development, as well as in the field of technical calculations and managerial positions. This is evidenced by graduates working not only in academia and private research, but also in small computer and software companies, including leadership and management positions in design, computing and development departments or sales offices of international companies. With the penetration of computer modelling and support into the field of medicine, the application of biomechanics can be expected not only in this interdisciplinary sphere of research and development, but also in newly emerging positions of computer support in hospitals and clinical workplaces.

The graduate of the doctoral programme in Applied Mechanics has highly specialized professional knowledge, but also professional adaptability, which gives great opportunities for employment in research and development, as well as in the field of technical calculations and managerial positions. This is evidenced by graduates working not only in academia and private research, but also in small computer and software companies, including leadership and management positions in design, computing and development departments or sales offices of international companies. With the penetration of computer modelling and support into the field of medicine, the application of biomechanics can be expected not only in this interdisciplinary sphere of research and development, but also in newly emerging positions of computer support in hospitals and clinical workplaces.

See applicable regulations, DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)

The rules and conditions of study programmes are determined by:
BUT STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES
BUT STUDY PROGRAMME STANDARDS,
STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES of Brno University of Technology (USING "ECTS"),
DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)
DEAN´S GUIDELINE Rules of Procedure of Doctoral Board of FME Study Programmes
Students in doctoral programmes do not follow the credit system. The grades “Passed” and “Failed” are used to grade examinations, doctoral state examination is graded “Passed” or “Failed”.

Brno University of Technology acknowledges the need for equal access to higher education. There is no direct or indirect discrimination during the admission procedure or the study period. Students with specific educational needs (learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicap, chronic somatic diseases, autism spectrum disorders, impaired communication abilities, mental illness) can find help and counselling at Lifelong Learning Institute of Brno University of Technology. This issue is dealt with in detail in Rector's Guideline No. 11/2017 "Applicants and Students with Specific Needs at BUT". Furthermore, in Rector's Guideline No 71/2017 "Accommodation and Social Scholarship“ students can find information on a system of social scholarships.

The doctoral study programme in Applied Mechanics is a continuation of the currently accredited follow-up master's study programme in Applied Mechanics and Biomechanics. However, it focuses more generally on graduates of subsequent master's degree programmes in various fields of mechanics and mechatronics, or mathematical, physical or materials engineering, the graduates of which are able to continue in the third stage of study and obtain the scientific degree of Ph.D. demonstrate the ability of scientific work.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2026 to 31.05.2026)

1. Multiphase Heat Transfer in Porous Oxide Layers during Spray Cooling

   This PhD project addresses multiphase heat transfer during spray cooling of hot steel surfaces covered by porous oxide layers. The research will focus on the development of advanced CFD models in OpenFOAM to simulate transient interaction between water jets or droplets and heated porous iron-oxide structures reconstructed from micro-CT and SEM data. The work will combine Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) modeling of droplet impingement, liquid transport within complex porous media driven by inertial and capillary forces, and phase change due to intense heating and boiling. Key challenges include coupling free-surface multiphase flow with evaporation processes and performing large-scale simulations on complex geometries using HPC resources, with applications in optimization of industrial spray cooling in steel manufacturing.

   Supervisor: Boháček Jan, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Role of Residual Elements from Recycled Scrap on a Heat Transfer

   Transitioning to zero-carbon steelmaking requires a comprehensive understanding of the surface-related impacts of this shift. The surface quality of advanced steel grades is essential for mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, aesthetics, and downstream processes, all dependent on precise control of alloying and processing conditions. However, incorporating residual elements from recycled scrap—driven by circularity requirements—introduces complexities that alter oxide scale behavior during steel processing. The presence of oxides with a low thermal conductivity is generally considered as a thermal barrier on a steel surface. However, in a certain industrial application, it was observed that the oxide layer unexpectedly changed a cooling intensity. The goal of the thesis is to describe the influence of scrap residual elements on heat transfer by characterization of the average Thermal insulance coeffcient.

   Supervisor: Hnízdil Milan, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Study of deformation processes in HCP alloys under complex stress state

   Magnesium and titanium alloys are important structural materials in hi-tech applications such as aerospace or the medical industry because of their superior combination of low density, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Nowadays, with the boom of additive manufacturing technologies, material properties need to be specifically designed for particular applications. Therefore, it is necessary to completely understand the processes that drive the behaviour of materials. The magnesium and titanium alloys have an HCP crystal lattice. Such atomic ordering results in a complex plastic deformation mechanism, including slip and twinning. Studying these phenomena is challenging as they combine a wide range of temporal and spatial scales from the atomic level to material grain size.

   The thesis focuses on investigating plastic slip and twinning under complex loading conditions at the micro level and suggesting ways of controlling these processes to achieve the required macroscopic mechanical properties. The analysis will be based on the combination of theoretical and experimental approaches. The theoretical part will include numerical simulations based on the finite element method and advanced theories of plasticity, and the experiments will be based on nanoindentation techniques that are able to create complex stress states.

   Supervisor: Šiška Filip, Dr. Ing., Ph.D.