University West is looking for a postdoc in additive manufacturing

The Division of Mechanical Engineering University West is seeking a postdoc with expertise in process understanding, metallurgy, and modeling of nickel-based superalloys to study additive manufacturing. The main processes currently studied at the division include gas metal arc welding, plasma welding, laser welding, friction welding, additive manufacturing (AM) with Directed Energy Deposition (DED) using electric arc and wire (WAAM), laser and wire (LMDw), laser and blown powder (LMDp), and powder bed fusion with laser or electron beam (PBF-LB and PBF-EB). The postdoc will work within the ongoing PODFAM project. PODFAM aims to develop a fundamental process understanding that will enable reliable manufacturing of AM parts using PBF techniques and various types of materials. It is conducted in collaboration with industrial partners and combines research areas such as process monitoring and control, physical process modeling and simulation, non-destructive testing, and metallurgy.

The research work will be conducted in collaboration with other researchers who primarily contribute to the project through expertise in metallurgy, process development, and process physics. The postdoc will work on the process development of nickel-based materials to enhance understanding regarding the formation of defects, such as cracks.

Work Duties:

• To conduct and be responsible for PBF experiments
• To conduct and be responsible for the characterization and evaluation of parts manufactured with PBF
• To publish research results, and participate in project meetings and international conferences
• To supervise bachelor's and/or master's students during their thesis work
• To actively participate in the scientific and administrative meetings of the mechanical engineering division

Qualifications:

Eligible for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is someone who has completed a doctoral degree in production technology or equivalent field that the employer deems relevant to the position, or who has equivalent scientific competence. This qualification requirement must be met by the time the appointment decision is made. Preferably, the person should have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the appointment decision is made. In special circumstances, such a degree may have been completed earlier. The default for a postdoctoral appointment is full-time employment. For more information, please refer to the postdoctoral agreement on the Swedish Agency for Government Employers' website.

In addition, the following is required for this position:

• Powder bed fusion based AM techniques
• Characterization of AM builds (microstructure by optical & scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, microhardness measurement etc.). Hands-on skills mandatory.
• Processing or characterization of superalloys
• Analysis of data and preparation of manuscripts worthy of submission to peer-reviewed journals, as demonstrated through a good publication record
• Good written & oral communication skills in English

Merits:

As some of the work described is anticipated 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 and travel to external collaborator sites if necessary.
Documented experience in modeling AM processes is highly desirable and will be considered a significant merit. The following skills will also be meritorious:

• Familiarity with advanced characterization techniques (EBSD, TEM etc.)
• Experience with mechanical testing
• Experience with use of Gleeble for physical simulation of processes
• Data processing, evaluation and interpretation
• Project leadership
• Supervision of students 
• International research and collaborative project experience 
• Good knowledge of Swedish

Additional Information:

A postdoc appointment is a time-limited position primarily focused on research and intended as a first career step after obtaining a doctoral degree. In addition to what is stipulated by the Employment Protection Act (1982:80), a postdoctoral researcher can be employed indefinitely, but for a minimum of two and a maximum of three years. Extensions may be granted for special reason.

The selection process may involve sample lectures, work samples, interviews, and reference checks.

Applications should be submitted digitally through our recruitment tool. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the application deadline. Materials that cannot be submitted digitally, such as books and publications, should be marked with reference number R 2024/115 and sent in one copy. For information on how to format your application, please see the Application Guidelines on the University West website.

Applications should be addressed to:
University West
HR
461 86 Trollhättan

The application deadline is: 2024-06-13

We do not accept direct contact from staffing and recruitment agencies or recruitment advertisers.

Welcome with your application!