PhD student in Production Technology – Next Generation Wear Resistant Coatings by Thermal Spray

University West stands out as the primary academic institution for thermal spray (TS) research in Sweden and holds a prominent position among Scandinavian research institutes and universities with respect to R&D work related to TS coatings. The core focus of the group's research revolves around unravelling the fundamental correlations between process parameters, coating microstructure, and the ensuing properties and performance. The group’s current position as a global leader in TS research is facilitated by the availability of high-power axial plasma spray (APS) and high velocity air fuel (HVAF) spray systems, which are widely acknowledged to open new vistas in TS by enabling coatings with unique microstructure and properties. This facilitates a strong versatility to the group’s processing capabilities that are available at only few TS groups worldwide. The spray facilities are also complemented by a range of allied equipment for process monitoring, coating characterisation and performance assessment in diverse environments. The group has not only established close relationships with the premier international universities and institutes that pursue TS research but also has a history of undertaking and promoting cutting-edge research that dovetails with the technological and sustainability needs of the Swedish industry.

The TS group is now actively seeking two doctoral candidates in the field of production technology specialising in TS. The study will mainly focus on development of next generation wear resistant coatings utilising novel materials and/or processing approaches for diverse industrial applications such as aerospace, energy generation, maritime, and electrification. The research is application-oriented and conducted in close collaboration with companies as part of a large research project involving several industrial partners.

The scientific part of the project

One of the primary aims of the research project is to develop next generation wear resistant coatings involving the emergent high velocity air fuel (HVAF) and high-power axial plasma spray (APS) processes. Two distinct research tracks envisioned for the PhD student positions are: (i) utilizing alternative hard materials than conventionally used WC- and CrC-based materials, such as cBN, diamond, SiC etc. and (ii) carbide-based wear resistant coatings with solid lubricants incorporated through different strategies to create unique function-specific microstructures/architectures.

Novel processing approaches such as co-deposition of different feedstock materials in powder-powder/powder-liquid form and/or tailored blended/agglomerated/capped feedstock will be employed to deposit coatings. The performance of developed coatings will be assessed via a variety of wear testing methods as well as field tests in collaboration with the industrial partners.

Examples of specific research questions that could be addressed in this project are:

• What deposition strategies can be adopted to incorporate alternative hard materials in TS coatings?
• How could co-deposition and infiltration techniques be effectively utilised to incorporate solid lubricants in TS wear resistant coatings?
• How do wear behaviour & degradation mechanisms in such coatings compare with conventional carbide-based coatings?

Doctoral degree program: Production Technology

Research center:

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 at the Production Technology Centre, which houses an advanced research laboratory. Click here for more information about our research center.

Job description:

The research program includes, in addition to participation in third-cycle courses and other activities, the implementation of independent thesis work. Doctoral students shall 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 totaling 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. The eligibility requirements may be fulfilled by studies in Sweden or abroad.

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. 

Additional Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• A master’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, or equivalent
• Experience of research work and scientific writing
• Ability to communicate orally and writing in English (documented)

Other relevant but not mandatory qualifications:

• Experience of thermal spraying or other coating methods
• Experience in material- and property characterization of coatings (SEM, EDS, XRD, phase analysis, and performance testing)
• Experience of working in an international team

Selection:

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

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 the 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

Applications are to be submitted electronically through the University West web-based recruitment tool, Varbi.

The application must include:

• CV/Personal qualifications
• Personal letter containing
  • Interest in the research topic
  • Previous experience regarding the proposed research topic
  • Motive to pursue doctoral studies
• Degree project of second level of higher education
• Degree certificate of first and second level of higher education in the original language and in translation
• Diploma Supplement in original language and in translation
• Course list/transcript of all semesters for bachelor's and master's degrees 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 marked with ref.no R 2025/212 sent to:

University West
HR
461 86 Trollhättan
Sweden

The application should reach University West no later than 2025-12-14. Mark the application with ref.no: R 2025/212.

The Department of Engineering Sciences strives for equality and diversity in all professions. We welcome applicants with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. For us, it is natural with an inclusive working environment and that our employees can combine work with active parenthood.

Welcome with your application!

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