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 offering PhD studentship in Production Technology – Specializing in Modelling and Simulation of Additive Manufacturing  

One large area in the research environment Production Technology West (PTW) is additive manufacturing involving both metal deposition using wire or blown powder and a welding energy source as well as powder bed fusion (PBF) methods to build 3-D geometries in metallic materials using a laser as energy source (L-PBF) or electron beam source (EB-PBF). The aim of this project is to use modeling and simulation primarily phase field modeling to create an increased understanding of relationships between thermal conditions and microstructure formation during AM manufacturing and subsequent heat treatments. The work will increase knowledge and understanding of which process parameters affect the microstructure and how the microstructure can be affected during the heat treatment. The doctoral student will be enrolled in the graduate school "smart industry". 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 Ni-based superalloys, such as parts in turbines or aero engines. Improving the understanding of relationships between thermal conditions and microstructure formation during AM manufacturing and subsequent heat treatments, are key research areas to enable industrialization of research results. In addition, studying different post build processes, such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP), heat treatments using modelling and simulation is important to be able of improving material properties, and will thus also be investigated in this project.

The microstructures in additive manufactured materials usually determines the static mechanical properties while different types of defects normally limit the dynamic mechanical properties, such as fatigue strength. The student will work closely with other PhD students working experimentally as well post-docs and senior researchers within a large research project PODFAM (POwDer bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing of metals for gas turbine applications). The results from this project will be regularly presented at 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/research-environments/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 program 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 program 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 relates to industry. In the selection process interviewing, referencing and proofreading may be relevant.

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

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 Ni-based super alloys in particular
  • Experience in modelling and simulation and thermodynamic calculations is a merit
  • Good understanding of material affecting issues during processing and production 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

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 2020-12-07

Documents that cannot be sent digitally, mark the application with ref.no: 2020/170 and should be sent to:

University West
HR
461 86
Trollhättan
Sweden

Welcome with your application!

We decline any direct contact with the staffing and recruitment companies, as well as vendors of recruitment advertisers.

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 2020/170
Contact
  • Robert Pederson, Head of Division and Professor , +46520-22 32 66, robert.pederson@hv.se
  • Thomas Hansson, Researcher, +46739013396, thomas.hansson@hv.se
  • Chamara Kumara,PhD Committee at University West, +46520-22 33 59, chamara.kumara@hv.se
Union representative
  • Victoria Sjöstedt, OFR, +46721-60 01 57
  • Henrik Johansson, SACO, +46520-22 33 25
Published 23.Nov.2020
Last application date 07.Dec.2020 11:59 PM CET

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