Postdoctoral position in Fire Safety focusing on material behaviour

Description of the workplace

The division of fire safety engineering conducts research and teaching that relates to fire and its consequences. Teaching takes place mainly at the Fire Protection Engineering program and the International Master in Fire Safety Technology, the latter is a program that is primarily aimed at international students. The division consists of approximately 20 employees, including six Lund-based doctoral students. In addition, there are a number of company-related doctoral students associated to the division. The division of Fire Safety Engineering acts in an international context and has contact with research organizations nationally and internationally.

The work environment at the division is characterized by an open and friendly attitude among all members of staff with the intention that all shall be given the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

Subject description

Fire safety research relates to physical and chemical processes associated with the origin, growth, spread and extinguishing of fires, interactions between fire and buildings/facilities, systems for preventing or detecting fire or limiting its consequences, and evacuation and human behavior in fire. The term fire refers to both fire and explosion and includes fire indoors and outdoors. Research on impact models also considers unwanted emissions of flammable, explosive and/or toxic compounds in industry and transport. Focus for this position is on fire development and material behaviour during fire.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research in the subject area. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Research within the subject area, including experimental and theoretical studies
• 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
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

As post-doc you will work in an industrial research project together with an industrial partner. 

In the project you will determine the fire properties of products/materials based on data from microscale testing and determination of properties of the materials of which a product is based on. The prediction of the fire properties of the product/material are based on correlations studies and modelling. Novel techniques such as machine learning can be an alternative. To determine the fire properties, knowledge is needed of the following physical data of the mate-rial(s): mechanical behaviour, chemical kinetics, melting behaviour, thermal properties, strength properties at higher temperature, etc. 

Within the project, travel is expected, and shorter stays abroad are necessary for co-operation with the industrial partner. 

Qualification requirements 

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that you have a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate, proving that the qualification requirement is met, must be available before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• Knowledge and experience in physical experimental work as well as modelling 
• Being able to work independently and to collaborate with other research groups and industry.

Assessment criteria 

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. 

Other qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience that constitute additional qualifications in fire related experiments.
• Knowledge in modelling of fire behavior of material by using data at micro scale.
• Experience in leading research projects 

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.

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. 

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of three 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”).

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system and shall be written in English. The application should include a CV including a list of relevant publications and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a PhD degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)

Welcome to apply!