Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Sciences with a focus on Smart and Sustainable Production - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Sciences with a focus on Smart and Sustainable Production.

The division Production and Materials Engineering is one of four divisions at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences. Today about 25 people work at the division and we have several industrially affiliated and collaborating competencies with our partner companies. Our research is very close to industry operations. We are located in the M-building in Lund, where we also have a well-equipped laboratory for material and process analyses. Linked to the subject is also a master's program in Production and materials engineering, where courses in the applied finite element method and smart manufacturing are included in the course offering.   

We conduct research in a broad area linked to production technology, material development and economic and sustainable manufacturing systems. The department's main competence is machining, where we collaborate and conduct research in processes, lubricants, material selection, tool design, monitoring and costs. In addition to this, there is also research in material corrosion, tribology, induction heating, casting and durability analyses. The goal is to participate and contribute to research and development that provides the opportunity to implement more sustainable product realization. Our research in digital monitoring includes issues around the development of various systems for real-time monitoring of the machining process, such as the integration of sensors in cutting tools and workpieces. Received data and signals are used to create so-called digital twins (Digital Twins) which enable a precise forecast of the process. Monitoring of the machining process includes checking the tool condition and surface quality. The department's research in artificial intelligence aims to develop solutions based on machine learning (Machine Learning) and deep learning (Deep Learning) for signal processing, image segmentation and decision-making in issues related to cutting edge processing. We develop algorithmic and solutions for automation of measurement processes of tool wear, surface defects and other process parameters.

Our society faces several major challenges, one of the biggest of which is the realization of increased sustainability by reducing the negative impact of our consumption and production. We are now looking for an Assistant Professor who wants to join and contribute to the societal challenge of reducing the climate and environmental burden from the manufacturing industry by developing more efficient and sustainable production processes and contributing and developing technical knowledge in machining processing and other production methods.

We are looking for you who want to follow and work for Lund University's 6 value-based principles and contribute to society both through good teaching, good research and a value-creating collaboration with industry and the rest of society.

Subject
Mechanical Engineering Sciences with a focus on Smart and Sustainable Production

Subject description
An important tool for creating efficient and transparent processes are digital solutions, which involve, sensors, image and signal processing. Through more effective monitoring systems, we can better make decisions that have a positive impact on how we use resources in processes and systems. The Smart production concept provides the integration prerequisites for optimal and possible material selections leading to creation of production-friendly and recyclable products.

The employment will involve development and adaptation of sensor technology, data collection and data analysis for mainly machining processing, but other manufacturing methods may also be included. The aim is to implement digital solutions in production-related applications, which means that the applicant must have experience in digitizing manufacturing systems and associated processes as well as programming experience. This position requires insights and knowledge about process-related parameters, which must be included in the digital solutions. Above all, knowledge in cutting processing will be essential for the position.

Work duties
Employment as an Assistant Professor is a career development position, which aims for the holder to develop his or her independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position shall include the opportunity for five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society via research projects, development projects as well as training and seminars.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.
• Support with IT matters and related internal education.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to Assistant Professor requires that the applicant has a PhD, or acquired corresponding research expertise.

Priority should be given to applicants who have completed their degree or acquired the equivalent expertise no more than five years before the last date for applications.

Assessment criteria
For appointment to Assistant Professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

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

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge in the field of machining processing.
• Very good programming skills.
• Experience from different type of sensors in industrial applications.
• Publication in the area of smart manufacturing with a focus on machining processing.
• Publications in internationally renowned journals and conferences with industrially applicable results.
• Documented experience of teaching.

Other qualifications

• Experience in collaborative activities and industrial education and training.
• Can demonstrate experience of course development and course materials.
• Industrial experience.
• Knowledge of the finite element method and associated calculation software.
• Experience of managing digital licenses and IT responsibilities.
• Knowledge of spoken and written Swedish.
• Demonstrated knowledge on how values and long-term sustainability are created in industrial processes and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead operations and projects.
• Demonstrated good interaction with students.
• Documented experience of applying for external grants and research funding.
• Demonstrated experience in supervision.
• Demonstrated experience of or being able to demonstrate an understanding of being a public sector employee in relation to the statutory value-based principles of Democracy, Legality, Impartiality, Objectivity and Equal Treatment, Free opinion formation, Respect, and Efficiency and Service (Working for a public authority | Staff Pages (lu.se))

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

As part of their application, the applicant shall submit a statement reflecting on how their research may add value to society. The statement shall be included during the evaluation of candidates.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA.

We offer 
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

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/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Sciences with a focus on Smart and Sustainable Production

During the period of employment, an Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An Assistant Professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to Senior Lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be taken into account, and the level to be achieved, in order for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A good general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to co-operate, independence and drive.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Ability to actively, independently seek and successfully acquire external funding.
• Ability to contribute to renewal of the organization’s activities.
• Documented experience of good student relations from e.g. course evaluations, program evaluations, engagement, etc.
• Documented ability to supervise research students.
• Good knowledge of Swedish in speech and writing to enable good communication with students and staff within the industry.