PhD studentship in production technology - specializing in additive manufacturing of components for space rockets using laser beam powder bed fusion technique - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PhD studentship in production technology – specializing in additive manufacturing of components for space rockets using laser beam powder bed fusion technique

Within the division of subtractive and additive manufacturing in the research environment Production Technology West (PTW) a research group is working with additive manufacturing processes, involving powder bed fusion (PBF) to build 3-D geometries in metallic materials using either laser (L-PBF) or electron beam (EB-PBF) as energy source. The research group works with both process-related and metallurgical-related research activities. This Ph.D. project is focused on L-PBF. The main areas of the research is investigating the relationships between process parameters (including post build treatment processes such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and heat treatment) – microstructure/defects – mechanical properties. The research work in this project is conducted in close collaboration with GKN Aerospace.

The scientific work in the project
Manufacturing of metallic components with additive manufacturing processes gains more and more interest within industry. The present Ph.D. project is focused on high demanding space rocket applications manufactured out of a Ni-based superalloy, Alloy718. Hydrogen is one of the main fuels in rocket engines and the effect of hydrogen embrittlement needs to be taken into account when designin rocket engine parts exposed to hydrogen. Hydrogen embrittlement has shown to be more pronounced at high load levels for forged Alloy 718 and since L-PBF built Alloy 718 will have local stress raisers in the form of defects and surface rougness of non-machined areas the L-PBF built Alloy 718 is likely to be sensitive to hydrogen embrittlement at lower applied fatigue loads compared to forged Alloy 718. Improving the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms for hydrogen embrittlement in the presence of stress concentrations, originating from defects and surface roughness, is therefore crucial for safe application of L-PBF built Alloy 718 in rocket engine components. In addition, applying different post build processes, such as HIP, heat treatments, or surface improvements, could have the advantage of improving material properties, and this will therefore also be investigated in this project.

The microstructures in PBF additively manufactured materials usually determine the static mechanical properties while different types of defects and surface roughness normally limit the fatigue properties. These effects are likely to be even more pronounced in a high pressure hydrogen environment. The Ph.D. student in this project will investigate all these areas, i.e. characterize microstructures as well as defects in L-PBF manufactured Alloy718 material and describe the effect of microstructure, defects and surface roughness on hydrogen embrittlement during fatigue loading.

Ph.D. degree program: Production Technology

Research center: Doctoral students in Production Technology become members of the research group PTW. 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: Production Technology Centre

Job description: The research program includes, in addition to participation in third-cycle courses and other activities, the 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). Since hydrogen testing is conducted elsewhere it is anticipated that the PhD candidate is willing to travel, both within Sweden but also abroad, and perform experiments outside of University West. As part of the research environment PTW, and considering that there are several other PhD students and post docs engaged in research related to AM, it is anticipated that this PhD candidate has a open mindset and is interested in collaborating with others in this field whenever such synergies appears.

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, Daybook nr U 2021/160

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 Production Technology, Daybook nr U 2021/160

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 relate to industry.

The selection process comprises different stages. In addition to the evaluation of the qualification requirements, interviews, referencing, proofreading or individual tasks might be included to assess the candidates.

Additional Qualifications

Mandatory qualifications:

• Master of Science (or equivalent level) in Material Science or equivalent
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing (metallurgy and processes)
• Good knowledge of metallic materials
• Experience in material- and property characterization
• Good understanding of material affecting issues during processing and production
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English (documented)
• Willingness to travel and perform experiments outside of University West if needed

The following will be considered meritorious:

• Experience in microstructural characterization using techniques such as SEM, XRD, TEM, EBSD etc 
• Experience in research work and scientific writing (prior publications in the subject 
• Documented experience about hydrogen embrittlement
• Documented experience about nickel-based superalloys
• 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 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. Visit our website for more information: 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
• A 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 2022-08-31

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

Welcome with your application!