Doctoral student in Mechanical Engineering Sciences - In-process interaction as predictor of material performance (MSCA Doctoral Network AIM-NEXT) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The vacancy is situated in the Manufacturing Processes research group within the Division of Production and Materials Engineering (IPROD) within the Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, LTH/LU. The division is involved in research, development, teaching, and industrial collaboration in the field of materials and production engineering. The projects undertaken are related to Industry 4.0, focusing on manufacturing processes and technology, materials science, digitalization of manufacturing processes and sustainable production. The subject area is interdisciplinary, often combining fundamental and applied research.

The division consists of approximately 25 colleagues, including six doctoral students and three postdoctoral researchers. Our premises are in the recently renovated M-building on LTH's campus in Lund. More information about the department can be found here: Division of Production and Materials Engineering

The project is carried out within the AIM-NEXT MSCA Doctoral Network – Accelerate the design and Insertion of nonCRM hard Materials for Next generation EXTreme applications. The ambition of AIM-NEXT is to reshape our knowledge and the way of designing the next generation of non-CRM hard materials for extreme applications. It is implemented through a broad programme of experimental, theoretical and modelling research, on the basis of innovative material design, synthesis and sintering, together with deeper understanding of material performance and failure. A research environment is then created where the 10 Doctoral Candidates will work to bridge the remaining knowledge gaps with the new tools, skills and competencies necessary to come from an original material design to its predictable performance in the shortest possible time. More information about the AIM-NEXT MSCA Doctoral Network can be found here: AIM-NEXT

Work duties

As a doctoral student in the Manufacturing Processes group, you will explore new materials, product designs, processes, and approaches in modern manufacturing. The focus of the project includes investigation of wear mechanisms of advanced tooling materials when exposed to extreme environments, such as machining processes, rock-cutting and mining, die and mould, or wear applications. The work encompasses planing, designing, and conducting advanced experiments. Also on the experimental side, the work includes development of advanced material characterization approaches, such as electron microscopy, synchrotron- and neutron-based studies. Material characterization is performed at Lund NanoLab, MAX IV, and nCHREM. Your theoretical work will include modelling of material degradation, including thermodynamic modelling and simulation of wear processes. Hence your work will create a seamless fusion of experiments and modelling which enables closing the knowledge gap between material design and its performance.

Your work will focus on fundamental and applied knowledge and solutions of high value for industries and society, by supporting their sustainable development. 

The activities are placed at Lund University at the Division of Production and Material Engineering, however the training also implies 2 secondments of 9 months total at Seco Tools AB (6 months) in Fagersta and at The Royal Institute of Technology, KTH (3 months) in Stockholm, both in Sweden. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge.  A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.

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%).

We also appreciate your participation in common tasks related to general institutional duties, seminars, knowledge transfer, and collaboration with industry, among others.

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 Mechanical Engineering Sciences if the applicant has: 

• at least 90 higher education credits relevant to the subject area, including at least 60 second-cycle credits, or
• a second-cycle degree in a relevant field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• very good knowledge in materials science and engineering.
• good knowledge in production and manufacturing processes.
• good knowledge in programming.
• good problem-solving skills and linguistic analysis ability. 

A person meets the requirements for MSCA Doctoral Network programme if the applicant:

• has not resided in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date, i.e. during the period 2021-09-31 to 2024-09-30 for work or studies as main occupation.
• if you are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.

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:

• theoretical knowledge of metallic, ceramic or composite materials. 
• experience in handling manufacturing or engineering equipment, including measurement equipment. 
• hands-on experience in modelling and FE simulation of manufacturing processes.
• ability to develop, implement, and apply relevant scientific models to data and critically assessing the results.
  programming experience (preferably in Python or Matlab).
  ·materials science and engineering, particularly metals, composites and coatings. 
• thermodynnamic modelling and simulation (e.g. using Thermo-Calc or DICTRA).
• machining processes or other extreme manufacturing processes.
• metallographic sample preparation.
• optical and electron microscopy.
• collaboration with industrial partners.

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

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. 

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 §§.

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.).

Additonally, all required information has to be packed in a single-PDF file in the order showed above and using a file name with the following format: surname_name_DC.pdf

This document package needs to be addtinally e-mailed to AIM-NEXT contact address: aimnext@upc.edu indicating as email’s subject “AIM-NEXT DC APPLICATION”.

This additional step is to ensure that the international Selection Commitee of the AIM-NEXT can perform the evaluation. More information about the AIM-NEXT international evaluation and application procedures can be found here: AIM-NEXT apply

Welcome to apply!