PhD student Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PhD student in Physics oriented towards advanced laser imaging of spray systems

The Division of Combustion Physics is well-established and internationally recognized for its excellence in development and applications of laser-based methods for characterization of combustion processes. In recent years this research has been extended to other high-temperature gas-phase processes. In addition, the division has strong research on development of mechanisms describing the complex chemical kinetics of combustion. The research is conducted together with partners at other departments within the Faculty of Engineering as well as at other academia and in industry, both nationally and internationally. The current research facility, the Enoch Thulin Laboratory at the Department of Physics, was inaugurated in 2001 and currently hosts around 50 researchers. http://www.forbrf.lth.se/english/

Job assignment Sprays are widely used in today's modern society, such as painting, cooling, washing, chemical supplies, medical applications, etc. However, the most important application of sprays is in connection with the combustion of liquid fuels, including the burning of fossil and bio fuels in automotive and aircraft engines.

Due to its negative impact on the environment and limited access to fossil fuel, the scientific interest in efficient spray-based combustion of biofuels has increased sharply. Nevertheless, there are still great uncertainties about the formation of atomizing sprays, from a continuous liquid fluid to a cloud of micrometric droplets. Since the efficiency of the subsequent combustion is strongly linked to this process, it is essential to better understand it. This goal can only be achieved through a detailed experimental analysis of sprays and a variety of laser-based measurement methods have gradually evolved for this purpose.

However, conventional laser-based measurement methods are very limited in optically dense sprays, where a phenomenon called multiple light scattering occurs. The consequence of multiple scattering is that the recorded images are blurred and finer image details are not visible anymore. We, at the Department of Combustion Physics in Lund University, developed a laser imaging method, Structured Laser Illumination Planar Imaging (SLIPI), with which one can eliminate the multiple scattered light, thus resulting in a true visualization of the spray. However, SLIPI has only been used for macroscopic studies (visual field of a few centimeters). The work, here, will consist is using SLIPI and laser sheet imaging in general on a microscopic scale and for the detection of one-photon and two-photon fluorescence optical signal from spray systems.

The main task for the doctoral student will be to conduct research education which includes work with research but also to master graduate courses.

Entry requirements A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics if he or she has:

• at least 30 credits of relevance to the subject, including at least 15 second-cycle credits, and a second-cycle degree project of at least 15 credits of relevance to the field, or
• an MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:    Very good oral and written proficiency in English. Very good ability in image analysis and post processing is required for the PhD position. 

Basis of assessment Selection to doctoral studies is based on the expected ability to perform well and profit from the studies. The assessment of the ability to perform well is based primarily on academic results from first- and second-cycle studies, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study, such as a broad and thorough preparation in physics or other relevant subject, for example combustion engineering. This can be documented by appended documents.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. This ability can be established, for example, based on undergraduate research experiences, a Master's thesis or in a discussion of scientific problems during a possible interview.
3. Skills in written and oral communication.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.  

Other assessment criteria:

• Documented theoretical knowledge in laser-, atomic-, molecular-, physics as well as chemistry and combustion, such as courses within these fields, is a merit.
• Interest or documented skills in experimental research using optical spectroscopy and/or laser diagnostics, in particular for application in combustion or related disciplines, are further merits.

We consider good cooperation ability, drive and independent work ability as positive personal attributes.

Terms of employment A PhD position is an employment with the main duty to be engaged in PhD studies according to the study plan. The duration of PhD studies is 4 years’ full-time studies. In addition, teaching and other institutional duties normally occur at a level of at most 20% of full time. The position is then extended correspondingly, however not longer than corresponding to 5 years’ full-time employment. PhD positions are subject to special regulations. These can be found in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to a PhD position.

Application procedure Apply for the position via the link at the bottom of the vacancy notice. Applications can be written in Swedish or English, and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Applicants are requested to also reply to the questions that constitute the first step in the application procedure.