Doctoral student Solid Mechanics with focus on “3D X-ray imaging of structural rearrangements in a flowing liquid foam”Doctoral student Solid Mechanics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Solid Mechanics
The field of solid mechanics relates to methods and principles aimed at describing deformations, stresses and instability phenomena in deformable bodies.

Solid mechanics is a core discipline in mechanical engineering and it is of fundamental importance also to related disciplines. The types of questions being dealt with carry high relevance for industrial applications.

The research in solid mechanics at LTH focuses on constitutive mechanics, numerical methods, microstructure mechanics, structural optimization, fracture mechanics, stability analysis and experimental methods.

Work duties
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 also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Numerous natural, technical and scientific processes are based on the generation of liquid foams therefore liquid foams are part of our everyday life. Their properties are strongly correlated to their microstructure. Our goal is to characterize the plastic behaviour of liquid foams by explaining how topological rearrangements of bubbles, the so called T1 events, happen in a fully three dimensional and realistic foam. X-ray microtomography is a promising modality to capture their 3D microstructure dynamics. We will enhance dynamic foam imaging with synchrotron and laboratory X-rays to reveal T1 events in flowing and coarsening foams. The doctoral students will work on the development of theoretical models for liquid foam rheology and their experimental validation by optimisation of state-of-the art X-ray imaging methods.

We wish to recruit a doctoral student who can cover both the theoretical aspect of foam rheology and the experimental part of 3D X-ray imaging. The student will be based at the Division of Solid Mechanics at Lund University, and in collaboration with researchers in France. There will be a tight connection to large scale synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV and the Swiss Light Source. The student will have the opportunity to spend part of the study at one or two of the international collaborators.

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 Solid Mechanics if he or she has:

• at least 90 credits in the field, including at least 45 second-cycle credits and a second-cycle degree project of 30 credits in the field, or
• a MSc in civil engineering, engineering physics, engineering mathematics or mechanical engineering.

Additional requirements:

• Very good knowledge in physics or materials science
• Oral and written proficiency in English.

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:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
Ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
Written and oral communication skills
Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Proficiency and interest in experimental and numerical methods in physics.
• Knowledge of 3D imaging, image analysis/reconstruction
• Programming skills in Python or matlab is an additional merit

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.).