PhD Studentship in Production Technology with Specialization in Additive Manufacturing of Metal with an Arc Heat Source. Department of Engineering Science, University West, Sweden

Research environment:

At the Department of Engineering Science, a strong research environment in AM (Additive Manufacturing) spanning both arc and laser directed energy deposition (DED) has taken shape with the aid of numerous funded projects implemented in close cooperation with industry. Within this research area, there has, however, been very little previous work addressing arc processes in terms of their production characteristics and showing the relative suitability of GMA (gas tungsten arc welding) and GTA (gas metal arc welding). Research in Production Technology is conducted in the Engineering Science department. The department includes a division dedicated to welding technologies and related metal AM technologies that focuses on the following three main areas: metallurgy, process physics modelling, and process development & control. The main research aim of the welding technology division is fundamental study and improved understanding of metal fusion processes and their influence on materials and manufacturing. In recent times, research efforts in the division have expanded significantly to address additive manufacturing driven ambitions related to DED. University West is seeking a PhD student for research on a new project, run in cooperation with corporate partners, entitled 'Directed Energy Deposition for Industrial Competitiveness in Additive Manufacturing Technologies (DEDICATE).

Scientific work in the project

The scientific work in the project focuses on welding-based additive manufacturing with an electric arc as the energy source and wire as an additive material (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, WAAM). This method offers an increasingly competitive advantage over traditional forging and casting methods. A key characteristic of WAAM is its high build speed, which is significantly more cost-effective than powder processes in additive manufacturing. Consequently, WAAM is highly efficient for the AM manufacture of large components, and in the last decade, research has grown exponentially worldwide. Investigation of AM routes for building metallic parts encompasses materials ranging from lightweight materials such as aluminium to superalloys.

Potential research questions include:

• How do the mechanical properties of WAAM-manufactured parts relate to the microstructures, shape, and residual stress at the secondary level?
  
  
• How can the effects of thermal cycles and process parameters on the microstructure and properties of arc-DED manufactured components be harnessed to develop a defect-free product?
  
  
• How do process parameters affect the material properties of metallic constructions and what is the role of phenomena such as oxidation and thermal expansion in material characteristics?

PhD degree program: Production Technology

Job description

Research centre: Doctoral students in Production Technology become members of the research group PTW (Production Technology West). The group collaborates with the engineering industry in the region and has access to the Production Technology Centre housing an advanced research laboratory. For more information about our research centre and activities, go to: Production Technology Centre.

The research program includes, in addition to participation in third-cycle courses and other activities, implementation of an independent thesis work. Doctoral students primarily devote themselves to their own education. A doctoral student may, however, be engaged to a limited extent in education, research, and administration, mainly within Production Technology. Such duties, before a doctorate has been conferred, may not occupy more than 20 percent of full-time working hours. (Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100) Chapter 5 section 2).

Qualification requirements:

To qualify for appointment as a PhD, two eligibility requirements must be met: 1) basic eligibility and 2) special eligibility.

• 1) The basic eligibility requirements for doctoral programs as set out in the Higher Education Ordinance are as follows: a degree at master’s level, completed courses totalling at least 240 university credits of which a minimum of 60 at master’s level or substantially equivalent knowledge gained in some other way whether in Sweden or abroad.
• 2) To fulfil the special eligibility requirements for a doctoral degree in Production Technology, a student must hold a degree at master’s level in a subject relevant to the doctoral degree subject. This degree may be in Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent, with a thesis project corresponding to at least half a year of study. The eligibility requirements may be fulfilled by studies in Sweden or abroad. The eligibility requirements may be fulfilled by studies in Sweden or abroad. For more information, please read 3.1 and 3.2 in the General syllabus for the third-cycle program in Production Technology, Daybook nr U 2021/160

The basic factor for selection among qualified applicants is the ability to profit from such a program. For more information 3.3, For more information please read 3.1 and 3.2 in General syllabus for the third-cycle programme in Production Technology, Ref. No U 2021/160.

Mandatory qualifications:

• Master of Science (or equivalent level) in Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent.
• Documented knowledge of arc-based materials processing (welding, cladding, additive manufacturing) or layer by- layer deposition (such as wire-laser AM or thermal spray).
• Documented experience in microstructural characterization using techniques such as optical microscopy and SEM.
• Documented oral and written communication skills in English.

The following will be considered as meritorious:

• Knowledge of arc-directed energy deposition.
• Experience in advanced characterization using techniques such as XRD, TEM, EBSD.
• Experience in metallic material property characterization such as oxidation, and thermal expansion.
• Knowledge of iron-based metals/alloys.
• Demonstrated research experience and scientific writing skills in the form of prior publications.
• Ability to communicate in Swedish.

Duration and terms of employment:

Employment as a doctoral student shall be on an open-ended basis but not for longer than to a specific point in time and never for a period extending more than one year after receiving the doctoral degree. The initial appointment must not be for more than one year. The appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be employed as a research student for a total of not more than eight years. The total period of employment, however, may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study at third level of higher education. (Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100) Chapter 5 section 7).

If 20% of the working hours are dedicated to education and administration, this normally means an employment of 5 years.

Application

The application is made digitally via University West's recruitment tool Varbi: https://www.hv.se/en/ meet-university-west/job-opportunities/ It is your responsibility to ensure the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

You must include the following in your application (preferable in .pdf format):

• CV/Personal qualifications
• Personal letter containing:
• • Interest in the research topic.
  • Project proposal on the defined subject of this position.
  • Previous experience regarding the proposed research topic and its research methods and scientific theories.
  • Motive to pursue doctoral studies
• Degree project of second level of higher education (if in progress, its title and current status)
• Degree certificate of first and second level of higher education (or information of assumed exam date) in the original language and in translation
• Course list/transcript of all semesters for bachelor's and master's degrees in original language and in translation
• Diploma Supplement in original language and in translation
• Other documents which the applicant wishes to invoke

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier. If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

Approved written languages regarding papers, diplomas, grades, and other relevant documents are the Scandinavian languages and English, or translations into those languages. Attach the original when submitting translated documents.

Documents that cannot be sent digitally, should be sent to:

University West
HR
461 86 Trollhättan
Sweden

Mark the application with ref.no: R 2023/90.

The application should reach University West no later than 2023-06-22.

If you would like to submit documents that cannot be sent digitally, please contact HR-representative for further instructions.

Welcome with your application!