Postdoctoral position in novel thermal spray approaches and applications - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Thermal spraying (TS) has been one of the important pillars of production technologies’ research at University West for the past two decades and the University’s Thermal Spray Group has rapidly progressed to be acknowledged as a global leader in TS research. A high-power axial-feed capable plasma spray system and a high velocity air-fuel facility lend a rare uniqueness and versatility to the group’s processing capabilities, which are further complemented by a range of allied equipment for process monitoring, coating characterisation and performance assessment of diverse functional coatings that constitute the group’s current portfolio. Apart from closely collaborating with premier international universities and institutes that pursue thermal spray research, the group has a long history of undertaking cutting-edge research that not only addresses extant technological needs of the Swedish industry but also demonstrates possibilities for the future.

The Thermal Spray Group at University West is now actively seeking applications from highly motivated and dynamic PhDs with a drive to push the TS envelope to fill an exciting postdoctoral position. The position will primarily straddle ongoing projects targeting exploitation of TS for fabrication of battery components, repair of aerospace parts and performance enhancement of light alloys. However, it will also allow the selected candidate 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 varied functional layers to serve as electrodes/electrolyte for batteries and solid oxide electrolysis cells, as well as coatings for life extension and repair of engineering components. The activities will mainly involve thermal spray processing using (a) liquid feedstock in the form of suspensions and solution percursors (as exemplified by Suspension Plasma Spraying - SPS and Solution Precursor Plasma Spraying – SPPS) and (b) High Velocity Air-Fuel (HVAF) spraying. The candidate will participate in development/preparation of liquid feedstocks, production of coatings and investigation 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’ matrices 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 (layered, composite or functionally graded) that can be realized utilizing hybrid powder-liquid feedstocks.

Qualifications

Candidates applying for the post doc position must have obtained a PhD degree in mechanical or metallurgical engineering or fields that the employer consider as similar. The applicants who have obtained a PhD degree in three years of 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 (at least one of the following: APS, SPS, SPPS, HVOF, HVAF)
• Characterization of coatings (morphology and microstructure by optical & scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, microhardness measurement, phase constitution etc.)
• Performance evaluation of coatings (at least one of the following: wear, corrosion, electrochemical testing etc.)
• Investigation of failure mechanisms
• Analysis of data and preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Good written & oral communication skills in English

As at least 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 battery or solid oxide electrolytic cell applications
• Experience with repair of components
• Experience in  electrochemical testing
• Experience 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 2022/81 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.

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