University West, Department of engineering science

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is University West’s overarching profile and basic principle applied to learning, the exchange of ideas, and educational development. The government has assigned the distinguished task of developing WIL to University West. Work integrated learning in education and research develops new, relevant and advanced knowledge both within the academy and among its partners, which also benefits society in general. University West offers a wide variety of study programs, has a good number of applicants and the students show a high entry rate on the labor market. The main research environments at University West are Production technology, Learning in and for the new working life and Child and youth studies and is conducted in collaboration with the surrounding society. Campus is centrally located in Trollhättan with about 13,000 students and 700 employees.

University West is looking for PhD student in Production Technology – Specializing if Additive Manufacturing of titanium alloys using Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Within the Division of Subtractive and Additive Manufacturing in the research environment Production Technology West (PTW) a research group is working with additive manufacturing techniques involving powder bed fusion (PBF) methods to build 3-D geometries in metallic materials using either a laser as energy source (L-PBF) or electron beam source (EB-PBF). This PhD project is focused on the L-PBF technique. Main areas of the research is investigating the relationships between process parameters (incl post build treatment processes such as hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment) – microstructure/defects – mechanical properties. The research group works with both process related and metallurgical related research activities. Experimental and mechanical testing and evaluation in parallel with modelling and simulation are other highly relevant fields. The research is conducted in close collaboration with industry.

The scientific part of the project:
Manufacturing of metallic components with additive manufacturing techniques gains more and more interest within industry. The present PhD project is focused on high demanding applications made of titanium alloys, such as parts in turbines or aero engines. Improving the understanding of the relationship between L-PBF process parameters and their influence on the thermal/mechanical properties of the manufactured components, are key research areas of this PhD project. In addition, applying different post build processes, such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP), heat treatments or surface improvements, could have the advantage of improving material properties even further, and this will therefore also be investigated in this project.

The microstructures in PBF additive manufactured materials usually determines the static mechanical properties while different types of defects normally limits the dynamic mechanical properties, such as fatigue strength. The PhD student in this project will investigate both these areas, i.e. characterize microstructures as well as defects in L-PBF manufactured titanium alloy materials and relate these to process parameters and post processing.

The PhD student in this project will be part of a large research project PODFAM (POwDer Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing of Metals for Gas Turbine Applications) at University West, which is dedicated for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing research. The results from this project will be regularly presented at PODFAM meetings, which certifies that the research is in line with what industry needs.

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. For more information about our research center, go to https://www.hv.se/en/research/production-technology/

Job description:
The research program includes, in addition to participation in third-cycle courses and other activities, implementation of an 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 per cent of full-time working hours. (Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100) Chapter 5 section 2).

Qualification requirements:
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.

To fulfill 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 Production Technology or some related discipline. 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 2015/1343 B 25: https://www.hv.se/en/research/research-education/courses/production-technology/

Selection:
The basic factor for selection from 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 Technology in Production Technology, Ref. No 2015/1343 B 25.
https://www.hv.se/en/research/research-education/courses/production-technology/

To be successful in this project the applicant should be highly motivated, have an accurate way of working, and have good communicative and collaborative skills. The applicant should have a strong aptitude for analysis and problem solving of physical problems that relates to industry. In the selection process interviewing, referencing and proofreading may be relevant.

Qualifications of merit for this position:

  • Master of Science (or equivalent level) in Material Science or equivalent
  • Knowledge of additive manufacturing (metallurgy and processes)
  • Good knowledge of metallic materials in general and titanium alloys in particular
  • Experience in material- and property characterization
  • Experience of microstructural characterization using techniques such as SEM, XRD, TEM etc is regarded as a merit
  • Good understanding of material affecting issues during processing and production
  • Experience of modelling and thermodynamic calculations is a merit
  • Experience of research work and scientific writing (prior publications in the subject is regarded as a merit)
  • Willingness to travel and perform experiments outside of University West if needed
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English (documented)
  • Ability to communicate in Swedish is regarded as a merit

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).

Applications are to be submitted electronically through the University West web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Go to https://www.hv.se/en/meet-university-west/job-opportunities/.

The application must include:

  • CV/Personal qualifications
  • Degree project of second level of higher education
  • Degree certificate of first and second level of higher education
  • Other documents which the applicant wishes to invoke
  • Personal letter containing:
    • Interest in the research topic
    • Previous experience regarding the proposed research topic and its research methods and scientific theories
    • Motive to pursue doctoral studies

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.

The application should reach University West no later than 2020-08-31

Documents that cannot be sent digitally, mark the application with ref.no: 2020/134 and should be sent to:

University West
HR
461 86 Trollhättan
Sweden

Welcome with your application!

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Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Monthly Pay
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Trollhättan
County Västra Götalands län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2020/134
Contact
  • Robert Pederson, Head of division, +46520-22 32 66, robert.pederson@hv.se
  • Chamara Kumara,PhD Committee at University West, +46520-22 33 59,chamara.kumara@hv.se
Union representative
  • Henrik Johansson, SACO, +46520-22 33 25
  • Laila Jensen Sundgren,OFR , +46520- 22 31 08
Published 10.Jul.2020
Last application date 31.Aug.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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