Doctoral Student in Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Description of the workplace

The Department of Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences strives to be a leading center for aeronautics research, development, and education. The department operates a certified commercial flight school (ATO) and an authorized drone school (ADS) under the name of Lund University School of Aviation, Sweden's only state-run civilian flight school. The department’s research facilities are based at Campus Ljungbyhed, providing a unique setting that integrates research, development, and education with access to airport infrastructure, including a runway system and controlled airspace. We seek to understand, innovate, and advance aviation through collaborative efforts, making it more accessible, sustainable, and safe in the digital age. The research emphasizes three primary areas: sustainable aviation, unmanned aviation, and aviation safety, with safety being a central theme across all initiatives. A significant part of our work is dedicated to the transition to sustainable fuels and aviation engines. The department maintains extensive partnerships with both academic institutions and industry on national and international levels, supporting a mission to drive meaningful sustainable advancements in aviation.

Subject

Physics

Work duties

This doctoral position is part of a comprehensive initiative focused on advancing towards sustainable aviation fuels and engine technologies. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research on the environmental impact of biofuels in aviation, exploring their combustion characteristics as well as emission of toxic gases and particulate matter. The project concerns the development of systematic methodologies for researching biofuel combustion and emissions and utilizing these researches to enhance understanding of their impact on high-altitude climate dynamics.

• Conduct experimental research on aviation biofuel combustion and emissions, contributing to the advancement of sustainability and achieving environmental impact goals.
• Collaborate with academic partners and industry experts on biofuel research projects. 
• Assist in the development of innovative solutions for reducing aviation-related carbon emissions.

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%).

Parts of the research may be conducted in collaboration with defense-related organizations, which in such cases means that a security clearance will be carried out.

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 Physics if he or she has:

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or 
• an MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or a master’s degree in physics or an associated 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.
• Good theoretical and experimental knowledge in the fields of combustion, gas turbine/ jet engine, and fuel chemistry.

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.

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.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience in research on combustion, combustion emission, gas turbines or jet engines, and fuel chemistry.
• Experience in experimental laser diagnostics and/or atom/molecular spectroscopy.
• Experience in analysing experimental data.
• A good ability to collaborate with other researchers.
• Experience in MATLAB/Python or similar tools for data post-processing and analysis.
• Experience in the maintenance of a laboratory facility.

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.).

You are also required to answer the job-specific questions as the first step of the application process.

Welcome to apply!