PhD Studentship in Production Technology – Simulation based optimization of a ultrasonic technique used for non-destructive evaluation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

University West is offering a PhD Studentship in Production Technology – Simulation based optimization of a ultrasonic technique used for non-destructive evaluation

In aerospace business, there are increasing demands on cost-efficient, reliable and safe aero-engines with reduced fuel consumption and environmental impact. These requirements have stimulated a development of new advanced manufacturing technologies and light weight technology based on fabrication and additive manufacturing (AM). This raises higher demands on product quality assurance and reliable and cost-effective non-destructive testing and material characterization methods in order to maintain the quality and safety levels. In a new project in cooperation with Swedish industry we seek a PhD student for a position at University West.

The scientific work in the project
In this project, the use of an existing simulation software (simSUNDT) is used in order to meet these demands. This enables simulation of so-called Immersion Phased Array technique in combination with different kinds of manufacturing defects which may potentially occur in components built using additive manufacturing. Since volumetric defect detection is important for the AM parts produced, the research emphasis will be focused towards:

• Optimize available and well-established techniques (NDT) and procedures (NDE) in order to adapt to AM specific challenges (e.g. orientation of defects and their NDT characteristics).
• By using a mathematical model of the inspection, identify nonconventional parameters (frequency or phase information) to characterize defects as pore, inclusion and e.g. orientation of lack of fusion (LOF).

The simulations will be experimentally validated in an immersion facility that will be built up at University West in close collaboration with an inspection company (DEKRA) and the aero industry (GKN).

PhD 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: Production Technology Centre

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 Mechanical engineering, Applied Physics (material science), Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Physics or equivalent, with a thesis project corresponding to at least half a year of study. 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.

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 ability for analysis and problem solving of industrial related problems.

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.

Qualifications of merit for this position: We believe that a successful applicant should have a genuine interest in the development of experimental ultrasonic NDT and actively be part of building up an experimental set-up and perform the experimental verification of the developed software and algorithms (optimization schemes). Experience with numerical modelling, e.g. finite element modelling, scientific programming with MATLAB, signal processing and measurement systems are considered as are meritorious. Documented skills of advanced programming in e.g. Fortran, C/C++/C# and the ability to communicate orally and in written English is highly qualifying. Experience of research work and scientific writing and the ability to communicate orally in English (documented).

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
• 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.
• 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

Approved written languages regarding papers, diplomas, grades and other relevant documents are the Scandinavian languages and/or English, or translations into any of those languages. Attach the original when submitting translated documents.

The application should reach University West no later than 2020-04-14

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

University West
HR Division 461 86
Trollhättan
Sweden 

Mark the application with ref.no: R 2020/59