Doctoral student in Solid Mechanics with focus on material behaviour of future packaging materials - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

The subject of Solid Mechanics deals with methods and principles to determine deformations, stresses and collapse phenomena in deformable bodies. Solid Mechanics is a basic subject in mechanical engineering and of fundamental importance for related discipline. The problems and questions that are dealt with in solid mechanics have clear relevance for industrial applications. The research in the subject is particularly focused on: constitutive mechanics, numerical methods, structural optimisation, fracture mechanics, stability analysis and experimental methods.

Project 

This PhD project will focus on the characterisation of new cellulose-based packaging laminates which in the future will replace current materials consisting of aluminium foil and polymer layers. The project will include both experimental measurements and theoretical modelling to increase the understanding of how the different layers contribute to the mechanical behaviour of the full laminate. The doctoral project is a collaboration between the Division of Solid Mechanics and Stora Enso.

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

The work duties in the research project include mechanical testing of cellulose-based fibre materials, both as laminates and as individual layers, as well as theoretical modelling. The physical measurements will include standard lab tests with full-field deformation measurements (so-called digital image correlation) and measurements with X-ray-based methods, e.g. X-ray tomography. Within the framework of the mechanical testing, the doctoral student will also develop new test setups and algorithms for analysis of measurement data. The theoretical modelling will be based on the experimental results and focus on correctly describing the interaction between the different layers in a packaging laminate.

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 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 engineering physics, engineering mathematics, mechanical engineering, or civil engineering.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge in solid mechanics and material science
• Good knowledge in computer programming
• Knowledge in constitutive modelling and numerical methods, such as the finite element method

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

• Interest in mechanical material testing
• Interest in X-ray techniques (e.g. tomography, SAXS, WAXS), imaging methods and image analysis
• Knowledge in continuum mechanics
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish
• Experience of computer programming in Fortran, Matlab or Python.

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.).