Doctoral student in physics (CESTAP) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project

CESTAP (Competence cEntre in Sustainable Turbine fuels for Aviation and Power) is a newly established centre of competence including academic and industrial partners promoting production and use of sustainable fuels for stationary gas turbines and aviation jet engines. Academic and institute partners include Lund University, Luleå University and the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE). CESTAP is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, with contributions from about 25 industrial partners and the mentioned academic partners.

Sustainable future energy use rely on a shift away from fossil fuels, which in some sectors can be done with new non-combustion technologies like batteries or fuel-cells. Still, in some sectors like aviation, maritime transport, and peak-load and back-up power generation, combustion will be difficult to replace. These sectors rely relatively heavy on continuous combustion engines like gas turbines and jet engines, and they together currently contribute with close to 10% of the global anthropogenic CO2 release.

At LTH, the technical faculty at Lund University, five PhD students are now recruited for projects related to production and use of sustainable fuels for aviation and gas turbines. The successfull candidates with work in a dynamic team with researchers from several institutions at LTH and participate in graduate student courses and activities together with PhD students from the partner universities and institutes.

Subject description

The Division of Combustion Physics is part of the Department of Physics. The research conducted focuses on laser based measurement techniques for remote sensing in various applications. The activities are well established internationally and includes both fundamental studies and industrial applications. The core aspects of the research, are development and application of laser based diagnostic techniques for studies of fluids and reacting flows. Equipment wise the Division is among the best in the world. Development of sustainable fuels and gasturbines for aviation and power production is highly complex and requires interdisiplinary efforts, therefore the work is perforemed in close collaboration with other universities and our industrial partners.

Work duties

The work will be focused on development and application of laser diagnostics methods for investigation of sustainable aviation fuel candidates. Special emphasis will be on in-situ measurements, including high-speed imaging of reacting flows relevant for gas turbine applications.

The research group is well established on the international arena, and has access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment in the form of powerful high-speed lasers, high-speed image intensifiers, single-photon-detectors, high-speed cameras, pressurized combustion chambers, gas turbine test rigs, aviation engines, etc. The work will include both laboratory studies on a fundamental level and practical applications in gas turbine environments. The transition to renewable fuels for the aviation and power production sector, is critical but non-trivial, which makes this research project highly relevant for the ongoing energy transition.

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 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 physics if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits of relevance to the subject, including at least 15 second cycle credits, and a second-cycle degree project of 15 credits of relevance to the field, or
• an MSc in engineering in engineering physics or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good 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:

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:

• Collaborative skills and the ability to communicate with researchers in other research fields.
• Experience from working with lasers, spectroscopy, high-speed imaging or other optical measurement techniques, is considered beneficial.

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.).