Doctoral student in Innovation Engineering focusing on Design for Additive Manufacturing - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
Additive manufacturing, or 3D-printing, has a number of applications within a wide range of industries and product categories. However, the products need to be designed for additive manufacturing to fully utilize the benefits and to make them commercially viable. As one of the major benefits of additive manufacturing is that the cost of production is independent of the complexity of the geometry, products designed for additive manufacturing tend to be highly complex. This complexity poses a challenge in terms of modelling and analysis, which necessitates the use of computer-based tools.

Work duties
The work will revolve around tools and methods for design and optimization for additive manufacturing. The main research topic will focus on how micro/meso/macro-scale properties of printed structures can be designed to optimize product performance, such as structural or thermal characteristics. Powder bed fusion technolgies in both polymer and metal powders will be central to the work, but extrusion-based and photopolymerization-based technologies are also relevant.

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 will also include teaching within first and second cycle education and other departmental duties such as related research projects and taking part in the operation of the additive manufacturing lab (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• 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 Innovation Engineering if the applicant has:

• at least 50 credits in subjects of relevance to the field, including at least 25 second cycle credits, or
• an MSc in Engineering, or one- or two-year Master’s degree of relevance to the field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Analytical skills.
• Experience in design analysis.
• Experience in design optimization.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of 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 the third cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience with additive manufacturing technologies.
• Experience in design for additive manufacturing.
• Experience in parametric/size optimization.
• Experience in topology optimization.
• Experience in scripting CAD software, such as Rhino/Grasshopper.
• Interests in pedagogics and teaching.
• Ability to work in teams that might be cross-disciplinary.
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts and networks with research partners in academia, industry or other organization.
• Proficiency in Swedish.

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 shall be written in 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.).