PhD Studentship in Production Technology – Specializing in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of duplex stainless steels - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

University West is offering a PhD Studentship in Production Technology – Specializing in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of duplex stainless steels

Within the Department of Engineering Science, the largest research area today is additive manufacturing (AM) including both powder bed fusion (PBF) AM as well as directed energy deposition (DED) AM. It involves researchers from three different divisions within the department. The research related to PBF AM is led within the Division of Subtractive and Additive Manufacturing, to which this Ph.D. project belongs. This Ph.D. project will focus on how the material properties of duplex stainless steels are influenced when manufactured with the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process, and how the post-processing can be used as an additional tool for successful and robust L-PBF manufacturing of high demanding duplex stainless steel components. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the industry.

The scientific part of the project
Improving the understanding of the relationships between metal powder feedstock, L-PBF process parameters, and their influence on the thermal/mechanical/corrosion properties of the manufactured components of duplex stainless steels, are key research areas of this Ph.D. project. In addition, applying different post-build processes, such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP), heat treatments, and/or surface improvements, could improve material properties even further. Therefore, this will also be investigated in the Ph.D.  project. To conduct this research, the Ph.D. student will have University West as the main working place and will also spend some time in collaborating industry where some of the L-PBF manufactured test samples of duplex material will be produced. Since the aim for end applications are highly loaded, defects such as pores and lack of fusion become important; it is thus crucial to fully understand their origin (powder induced and/or process-induced defects). For this, state-of-the-art X-ray Computer Tomography equipment, together with additional conventional analyzing equipment, will be used to characterize defects and their location in builds. In addition, fatigue-tested specimens will eventually help to reveal what type of defects are most detrimental to the fatigue properties.

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, 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:
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 fulfil the special eligibility requirements for a doctoral degree in Production Technology, a student must hold a degree at a 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 the General syllabus for the third-cycle programme in Production Technology, Ref. No 2015/1343 B 25: https://www.hv.se/en/research/research-education/production-technology/

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 Technology in Production Technology, Ref. No 2015/1343 B 25.

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 the industry. In the selection process interviewing, referencing and proofreading may be relevant.

Additional Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• Master of Science (or equivalent level) in materials science, manufacturing engineering, metal additive manufacturing, welding or equivalent.
• Documented experience in SEM-EDS characterization.
• Documented knowledge in metal manufacturing processes involving fusion, such as additive manufacturing, and/or welding, and/or similar processes.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English (documented).

The following will be considered meritorious:

• Experience in computational thermodynamics (ThermoCalc, etc) is preferred.
• Experience of research work and scientific writing (prior publications in the subject is regarded as a merit).
• Knowledge in NDT.
• Willingness to travel and perform experiments outside of University West if needed.
• 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 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, MyNetwork. 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.

Documents that cannot be sent digitally, should be sent to:

University West
HR
461 86 Trollhättan
Sweden

Mark the application with ref.no: R 2022/229.

The application should reach University West no later than 2022-11-21.

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

Welcome with your application!