Postdoc position for investigating plasma phenomena and applications with advanced laser diagnostics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

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.

Plasmas are widely used in applications and research for e.g. surface and gas treatment, ignition systems and material processing. Development of application designs and approaches for modelling these complex processes have led to better optimized systems. Plasma-discharge formation is randomized and transient and these plasma-induced processes occur in volatile and harsh environments. Intermediate phenomena are hard to study in-situ and little is known about intermediate states and governing processes, making plasma-discharge applications hard to assess and analyse. Development of laser diagnostic techniques and extensive hardware development has led to rapid advances in various other research fields the last decades. These previous efforts provide a solid foundation for development of advanced laser-based plasma diagnostics and ground-breaking investigations of stochastic discharge plasma phenomena such as plasma-assisted combustion, plasma reforming of CO2/CH4 and plasma/air interactions.

Ultrashort laser pulses, in the femtosecond regime, offer extreme peak powers which is ideal for laser diagnostics that exploit non-linear optical phenomena. Diagnostic tools based on these phenomena has been used to study molecular energy distributions, using coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, species distributions of smaller molecules and atoms, using two-photon laser-induced fluorescence just to mention a few.  Furthermore, ultrashort laser pulses offer experimental data with high temporal resolutions which is ideal to study rapid collision based phenomena such as plasma initiation and rapid plasm chemistry.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.  

The topic of this project concern development of experimental platforms and investigate these using laser-based diagnostic tools to study plasma phenomena and applications. The platforms for investigating plasma phenomena and applications will be based on high voltage stimulation of laminar and turbulent combustion of various fuels, plasma reforming of CO2/CH4 and plasma/air interactions. Several plasma sources will be used, such as current limited DC high voltage and nanosecond pulsed high voltage. The postdoc will be responsible for setting up, characterize and study plasma-related phenomena and applications at these high-voltage work stations. This characterization concern measuring voltage and current characterization as well as parameters such as temperatures, species distributions and dynamics as well as free electron density and temperature. Modeling of plasma/combustion chemistry will also be part of the work duties to enhance understanding of the phenomena/applications that are studied.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Research within the subject area shown above.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. Certificate that the qualifications requirements are fulfilled must have been received at the latest when the employment decision is made. The applicant who has completed the degree no more than three years before the last day for application is primarily eligible. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience in experimental in high-voltage and plasma
• Experimental experience in characterizing plasma and plasma-related phenomena through current/voltage/laser measurements/analysis.
• Experience in experimental laser diagnostic techniques such as for example Laser-induced fluorescence.
• Experience in programming languages such as Python, Matlab or equivalent.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills

Additional assessment criteria:

• Good ability to co-operate and work together in a team.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a minimum of two years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 19 November 2021.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/