About
I’m Faisal Qayyum, a materials scientist and mechanical engineer. I earned my Dr.-Ing. magna cum laude at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, where my thesis received the Dr.-Rolf-Umbach-Prize for the best doctoral thesis, and I spent nine years at the Institute of Metal Forming there (2017–2026). Since February 2026 I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Before Germany I was a lecturer and research assistant at UET Taxila, Pakistan (2012–2016).
The move
After nine years in German research I moved to a faculty post in Saudi Arabia in 2026. I went through the applications, the contract questions and the first weeks on the ground myself, and I wrote down what I learned so others do not have to start from zero.
Read Moving from Germany to Saudi Arabia for a faculty job and Your first two weeks in Saudi Arabia as a faculty member.
Research
My PhD focused on modelling the deformation and damage of multi-phase metallic materials using coupled crystal plasticity models. My work spans the chain from experimental microstructure characterisation to large-scale numerical forming simulations: crystal plasticity with DAMASK, metal forming FEM with ABAQUS, phase field simulation, and EBSD analysis with MTEX. Recent topics include TRIP steel matrix composites and LPBF AlSi10Mg.
At the Institute of Metal Forming I set up the DAMASK crystal plasticity simulation workflow. With industry partners I worked on concrete problems:
Figures as of September 2026.
Publications
Butt, M.M., Qayyum, F., Laieghi, H., et al. “Microstructure-informed modeling of LPBF AlSi10Mg components: understanding the origin of tensile anisotropy through local stress-strain partitioning using comparative crystal plasticity material models.” Mechanics of Materials, 222, 105846. DOI
Chiu, C., Prabhakar, V., Tseng, S., Qayyum, F., et al. “Integrating experimental and numerical analyses for microscale tensile behavior of ceramic particle reinforced TRIP steel composites.” Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, p.108384.
Qayyum, F., Chiu, C., Tseng, S., et al. “Local strain heterogeneity and damage mechanisms in zirconia particle-reinforced TRIP steel MMCs: in situ tensile testing with digital image processing.” Journal of Materials Science, pp.1–19.
Lypchanskyi, O., Chiu, C.C., Qayyum, F., et al. “Temperature dependent deformation behavior and texture evolution in AA6082 aluminum alloy: an integrated experimental and crystal plasticity simulation approach.” International Journal of Plasticity, 176, p.103942.
Qayyum, F., Umar, M., Dölling, J., Guk, S. and Prahl, U. Mechanics of New-Generation Metals and Alloys. Elsevier.
Qayyum, F., Guk, S. and Prahl, U. “Studying the damage evolution and the micro-mechanical response of X8CrMnNi16-6-6 TRIP steel matrix and 10% zirconia particle composite using a calibrated physics and crystal-plasticity-based numerical simulation model.” Crystals, 11(7), p.759.
Recognition
Service
Teaching & mentoring
Videos & podcasts
Candid conversations with guests about topics students care about
Productive writing tips for scientists and researchers
Case studies, DAMASK crystal plasticity workflows, and simulation examples
Thermo-mechanical fatigue cracking and advanced FEM tutorials
Collaborations
Case stories
A European producer of refractory-metal sheet saw embrittlement at 45° to the rolling direction. We traced the defect to its texture and processing origin.
An MSc student working in the German steel industry needed an analysis and visualisation for a complicated project. We built the analytical approach together, and his management praised the result.
A process engineer at a semiconductor manufacturer needed to understand how microstructure drives material behaviour. The work grew into a collaboration and joint journal papers.
Stories are anonymised and kept general.
Testimonials
“As a mentor and senior, he has been a constant source of wisdom, encouragement, and genuine kindness. His ability to blend technical excellence with empathy makes him an exceptional role model in both engineering and life. I truly learned the essence of real research methodology from him and applied it to achieve many milestones in my scientific career. Throughout the past six years in Germany, Dr. Qayyum guided me with patience and clarity, inspiring me to think beyond conventional approaches, to think outside the box, and to embrace challenges with curiosity and purpose.”
“Anyone who has the opportunity to have Dr. Qayyum as a professor, mentor, leader, colleague, or even just a friend is exceptionally fortunate. He embodies each of these roles with integrity, passion, and excellence.”
“As a process engineer at TSMC, I needed a very specific understanding of how microstructural mechanisms connect to real-world material behavior. Dr. Qayyum bridged that gap between academic rigor and engineering practice in a way I hadn’t found anywhere else.”
“Dr. Qayyum’s scientific writing workshop was a career-defining experience. He turned what felt like an overwhelming task into a structured, learnable skill. My confidence in writing and presenting research results improved dramatically.”
“Dr. Qayyum is a true brainstorming guru with an incredible depth of experience. During my time as a working student in the German steel industry, his strategic guidance was instrumental. He helped me develop a sophisticated analytical approach and a compelling visualization for a complex project that ultimately received high praise from my management team. Beyond his technical expertise, he has been a pivotal mentor throughout my Master’s studies. I look forward to seeking his advice at every new crossroad in my career.”
Whether it is a stalled thesis, a paper, a career move or a simulation, a few lines about your situation are enough to start.
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