Doctoral students in Physics with focus on laserbased diagnostics of new combustion concepts - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Division of Combustion Physics at the Department of Physics has conducted research on the development and application of laser-based techniques for the diagnostics of combustion processes since the 1990s. The research is well established internationally and includes both fundamental studies and industrial applications of laser diagnostics. In recent years, the activities have expanded with diagnostics focused on other areas of application in energy conversion, spray phenomena, catalysis, plasma physics, material studies, as well as remote sensing of the atmosphere, flora, and fauna. The research is often conducted together with partners at other departments at Lund University, at other universities, and in industry, both nationally and internationally. Some of the applied research requires unique experimental facilities and is therefore carried out on-site at other universities or our industrial partners' R&D departments. In applied laser diagnostics, the department is world-leading in terms of equipment and expertise. The current research facility, the Enoch Thulin laboratory at the Department of Physics, was inaugurated in 2001 and today has more than 50 researchers.

Project description
A large part of the global energy supply still consists of the combustion of fossil fuels with a negative impact on climate and the environment. Access to renewable energy from clean sources is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of our society. New fuels such as metal powders and ammonia do not form the greenhouse gas CO2. In addition, green energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can be better utilized, as energy from these can be used in processes to form ammonia or metal particles that are later combusted. The new fuels thus provide new opportunities to cope with the energy supply of the future.

Would you like to contribute to this development? Are you interested in applying physics in a highly relevant field? Two Ph.D. students will be recruited for research on the optimum utilization of fossil-free fuels such as metal powder, ammonia, and biomass.

Work duties
The most important tasks of the two Ph.D. positions are the following:

• To design and build burner systems on a laboratory scale to study the combustion of these fossil-free fuels with laser diagnostics. Investigations will not only consist of fundamental studies to understand special phenomena but also be relevant for industrial applications.
• Development and application of advanced optical diagnostic methods, mainly for the measurement of concentrations of important chemical species and temperature. The emphasis is on producing crucial quantitative data to enable kinetic analysis and understanding of the processes.
• To carry out theoretical analyses based on modelling of chemistry, flow fields, heat, and mass transfer to generate key information for optimal utilization of fuels.

The two positions will mainly focus on studies of metal powder and ammonia. One possible distribution of the work is that the doctoral students specialize in one fuel each. However, since several of the tasks in the services are common, other arrangements are also possible.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies, which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission 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 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, 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.

Other assessment criteria

• Documented theoretical knowledge in laser-, atomic-, molecular-, physics as well as chemistry and combustion, for example through courses within these fields, is a merit.
• Interest or documented skills in experimental research using optical spectroscopy or laser diagnostics, in particular for application in combustion or related disciplines, are further merits.
• Relevant programming skills, for example, methods for image analysis, is a merit.
• Co-authorship of journal publications, conference contributions or other scientific reports is a merit.

Basis of assessment
Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications may be written in English or Swedish and should 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, a copy of your master’s thesis or equivalent alternatively a summary in case the thesis has not been finalized, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

You are also required to answer the job specific questions as the first step of the application process.

Remarks
We ask companies dealing with advertising job openings and staffing companies to refrain from seeking contact with us since we are bound by contracts in the governmental system.

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.