University West is looking for a Postdoctoral position in thermal spray technologies

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 characterization 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/Work Duties:

The candidate eventually selected for this full-time position will be expected to actively contribute to ongoing projects dealing with the development of thermal/environmental barrier coatings, corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant, by atmospheric/suspension plasma spray (A/SPS) and high velocity air-fuel (HVAF) 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
• Teaching activities such as lectures and lab. sessions
• 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:

Eligible for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is someone who has completed a doctoral degree 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:

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.

Merits for the Position Include:

• 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.

Additional Information:

The position is full-time for a period of two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

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 2025/184 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 November 2, 2025

If you want to learn more about the Swedish Academia please visit:
https://sverigesungaakademi.se/en/publications/a-beginners-guide-to-swedish-academia/

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Welcome with your application!