Doctoral student in Solid Mechanics with focus on computational paper 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 employment is part of a project that aims to establish numerical tools that can predict the mechanical response of packaging materials. The material model that will be developed will be based on experimental observations and shall be able to capture, for instance, visco-plasticity, visco-elasticity and damage. One part of the project involves development of tools to identify material parameters. Since the models should be industrial useful, they will be implemented in commercial finite element codes and applied to non-academic applications.  

The employment is part of a research project funded by Tetra Pak.  

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 and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).  

Admission requirements  

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs 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 Solid Mechanics if the applicant 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 English, both spoken and written.
• Very good knowledge in the implementation and programming of the non-linear finite method. 
• Very good knowledge in constitutive modelling. 
• Very good knowledge in solid mechanics and physics. 
• Very good knowledge in programming.

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 based on 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. These may be demonstrated through documents appended to the application and at a possible interview.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. The assessment could be made based on the student’s degree project and a discussion of this at a possible interview.   
3. Written and oral communication skills.  
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g., professional experience.  

Other assessment criteria  

The ideal candidate for this position has a strong interest in developing methods and algorithms suitable for solving large-scale structural optimization problems. The ability to work as part of an international, multidisciplinary team is also important.   

• An interest, and knowledge, in mathematical modelling and computational methods.  
• Experience of material modelling on multiple scales, in particular fibrous materials.   
• Experience of Linux based operating systems and programming languages Python and Matlab.
• Good knowledge in Swedish, both spoken and written, as most of the department's teaching is in Swedish. The Phd student will also collaborate with the financier, which is a Swedish company.  

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, as well as to how the applicant, through her or his experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle program.  

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, a copy of your Master’s thesis or equivalent and other documents you wish to be considered (grade  transcripts, letters of recommendation etc.). In addition, a minimum of two references with full contact  information must be provided.