University West, Department of engineering science

Thermal spraying (TS) has been a cornerstone of production technologies’ research at University West. The current position of University West’s Thermal Spray Group as a global leader in TS research is facilitated by the availability of a high-power axial-feed capable plasma spray system and a high velocity air-fuel facility. These lend a rare uniqueness and versatility to the group’s processing capabilities that are available at few TS groups worldwide. The spray facilities are complemented by a range of allied equipment for process monitoring, coating characterisation and performance assessment in diverse environments. The group has established close relationships with premier international universities and institutes that pursue thermal spray research, and also has a history of undertaking cutting-edge research that dovetails into the technological needs of the Swedish industry.

The Thermal Spray Group at University West is now actively seeking applications from highly motivated PhDs to fill a postdoctoral position that will primarily straddle ongoing projects within the group but will also allow the selected candidate the freedom to simultaneously explore his/her own interests in complementary fields.

Role Description

The candidate eventually selected for this full-time position will be expected to actively contribute to ongoing projects dealing with development of thermal/environmental barrier coatings, corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant, by suspension plasma spray (SPS) and high velocity air-fuel (HVAF) and routes. The candidate will participate in development/preparation of feedstock materials, production of coatings and investigations of coating properties relevant to the projects. As the hands-on technical lead for the projects, the candidate’s role will involve, but not be restricted to, the following:

  • Planning of experiments, including construction of design of experiments’ matrix to investigate effect of various spray process variables and finalizing specimen geometries
  • Establishing characterization and performance assessment protocols
  • Participating in spraying experiments
  • Conduct and/or be responsible for characterization and performance evaluation of coatings
  • Conduct and/or be responsible for failure analysis of coatings
  • Analysis and interpretation of data
  • Writing and/or guiding students to write journal manuscripts
  • Explore collaborations to complement processing & characterization capabilities at University West.

The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in our group's investigations on coatings with exciting function-dependent architectures that can be realized utilizing hybrid powder-liquid feedstocks. Some of our other activities on the anvil include solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS) and development of coatings for targeted functionalities (photocatalytic, biocompatible, luminescent etc.)

Qualifications

Candidates applying for the post doc position must have obtained a PhD degree in mechanical or metallurgical engineering or fields that the employer considers as similar. The applicants who have obtained a PhD degree three years or less prior to the application deadline will be given priority.

The position demands a technical background in and skills related to:

  • Processing of thermal spray coatings (APS, SPS, HVOF, HVAF)
  • Characterization of coatings (morphology, microstructure, phase constitution)
  • Performance evaluation of coatings
  • Investigation of failure mechanisms
  • Experience in writing research reports / scientific publications
  • Good written & oral communication skills in English
  • Hands-on experience with characterization techniques (such as optical & scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, microhardness measurement etc.) 

Some of the experiments are expected to be conducted in close collaboration with other research groups and with industry, we are looking for a good team-player with an amicable disposition to cooperate with project partners.

The following skills will be meritorious:

  • Experience in coatings/materials for high temperature applications
  • Experience in  thermal cycling/ thermal shock testing / oxidation / corrosion
  • Background in investigating failure mechanisms in coatings
  • Data processing, evaluation and interpretation
  • Project leadership
  • Supervision of students
  • International research and collaborative project experience 

Assessment criteria

Special importance will be given to the scientific skills in the subject field, as well as the ability to carry out and develop research activities in collaboration with colleagues and the surrounding community. The subject field and the work tasks will be considered when evaluating the applicant’s skills.

Terms of employment
The employment will be full-time for a duration of two years.

Other
In the selection process, interviewing, referencing and proofreading may be relevant. The applications should be made digitally via our recruitment tool. For information about the design of the application, see guidelines for the employment and promotion of teachers at the University West: https://www.hv.se/en/meet-university-west/job-opportunities/

Documents that cannot be sent digitally, such as books and publications; should be labelled with reference number 2022/80 and sent in two copies. 

The application is made to: 
Högskolan Väst
HR-department
461 86 Trollhättan 
Sweden

Deadline for application is 2022-05-05. 

We decline any direct contact with the staffing and recruitment companies as well as recruitment advertisers.

University West actively works for an inclusive work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity adds to the business.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Trollhättan
County Västra Götalands län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2022/80
Contact
  • Prof Robert Pederson, +46739013357
  • Prof Nicolaie Markocsan, +46721600101
Union representative
  • Henrik Johansson, SACO, +46520-223325
  • Victoria Sjöstedt, OFR, +46721-600157
Published 28.Jun.2022
Last application date 30.Jun.2022 11:59 PM CEST

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