PhD student in Physics: Advanced laser diagnostics for studies of electrode wear - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Unit for Combustion Physics conducts extensive operations with emphasis on the development of laser spectroscopic techniques for both basic studies and applications in, among other things. combustion processes, gasification, catalysis, nanometer fabrication and plasma production. In recent years, the unit has also established significant research activities in the field of biophotonics. Within the unit's operations, there are extensive national and international collaborations with both academia and industrial partners. The Department of Combustion Physics has since 2001 been located in the new and modern building called Enoch Thulin laboratory at the Department of Physics where currently about 60 people work at the unit.

Work duties
Optical and laser-based measurement methods are many times ideal for non-invasive investigations of complicated and difficult-to-access processes without affecting and adversely affecting the measurement object. Typical phenomena, processes and applications that are investigated using laser methods at the Department of Combustion Physics are associated with high temperature chemistry and plasma. These phenomena and the effect of them are extremely complicated and are not yet fully understood. Furthermore, the extreme environment that surrounds these processes represents a major challenge for many measurement techniques. All in all, this means that the research field includes both fundamental studies for basic research purposes and applied measurements in industrial environments.

The project will concern development and application of laser-based measurement methods to study how sparkplug electrodes wear in applications using renewable fuels. The research activities connect to related issues with electrode wear in many other industrial applications, such as high power breakers, welding, cutting, plasma generation, etc.  The methods that will be developed here involve the handling of advanced technical equipment, such as powerful pulsed lasers and fast detectors. Furthermore, analytical methods will be developed and used for signal processing of time- and spectrally resolved measurement data. Image processing will also be central to the evaluation work. Once the methods have been developed, they should be used in applied studies to investigate how the wear mechanisms are effected by material composition, operation- and environmental properties.

The work will be focused on experimental research that in the applications will be combined with technical challenges for high voltage discharges, plasma and spectroscopy. The diagnostic development part includes both programming and handling of advanced experimental equipment, which requires theoretical and practical knowledge in mathematics, physics and chemistry. The experimental work will to a significant extent be shaped by the doctoral candidate. The target is to understand the wear mechanism in detail and for this purpose several tools are available, such as high-speed photography, laser excitation, spectrally resolved detection, etc. The project is performed in close collaboration with the industrial partners, SEM AB, Scania CV AB and Volvo AB.

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 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 knowledge of English, in speech and writing, is a requirement.
• Good theoretical and experimental knowledge in the fields of optics, laser and spectroscopy.
• Good knowledge of MATLAB or similar program languages.

Other assessment criteria

• Experience in experimental laser diagnostics.
• Experience in analysing experimental data.
• Experience in Labview or similar program languages for controlling experimental Equipment.

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. This assessment could for example be made from the master’s project or a discussion about this project in an interview situation.
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 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.).

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