Doctoral students in fire safety with focus on battery safety

Description of COMPEL

COMPEL, "COMPetence for the ELectrification of the transport system", is a strategic initiative by the Swedish government, aimed at strengthening research and educational environments within battery technology and electrification. Within COMPEL, the three institutions - Chalmers University of Technology, Lund University, and Uppsala University – in consultation with Swedish industry, deepen their collaboration with the aim of strengthening Sweden's position in battery technology contributing to the electrification of the transport sector, and related areas. The three institutions aim to enhance research and education in the battery sector to ensure strong research in battery technology supporting that electrification of the transport sector is maintained and further developed in Sweden. Research within COMPEL spans the entire battery value chain: materials research, research on new cell concepts and cell manufacturing, battery systems and system integration, recycling, and safety.

At Lund University with the Faculty of Engineering (LTH), COMPEL is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing research environments in battery technology and electrification, in a manner that complements relevant research at other institutions and builds on our strengths. COMPEL at Lund University initially includes researchers from ten departments, and three areas of research have been identified for strategic development: materials research, integration of batteries with power electronics, and safe energy storage. On the educational side, the number of students in several of the Master programs is being increased, and the course offerings related to battery technology and electrification are being strengthened.

Description of the workplace (“Your Team”)

The department of building and environmental technology includes several divisions conducting research and teaching related to society's needs for infrastructure and construction. As part of this, consideration of safety aspects and development of methods for managing fire risks in society is also included. 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 general objective is to find cost-effective and innovative methods of keeping damage to people, the environment, and property at an acceptable level.

The work is usually carried out in smaller research groups linked to a certain subject area and characterized by an interdisciplinary activity in both research and teaching. At the division of fire safety engineering, fire and safety-related research is conducted, and the group consists of around 20 researchers and administrative staff. 

The work environment is characterized by commitment, cooperation, creativity and personal responsibility. It is stimulating work with varied tasks, which is why there are good opportunities for professional development

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 research will be focused on battery safety which can include both Li-Ion and other technologies. The reserach can be performed used both experiments and/or modelling and in close cooperation with researcher at other divisions in the COMPEL-effort, e.g. at the division of combustion physics. Parts of the research can be performed in cooperation with defence related organization which in that case requires security clearance. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

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 Fire Safety if the applicant has:

• a BSc in Fire Protection Engineering comprising 210 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.

Assessment criteria

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study, see work duties. These can be demonstrated through attached documents.
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 postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other merits

• Knowledge in the area of fire and/or gas explosions.
• Experience in experiments and/or modelling in the fire and explosion area.
• Knowledge in battery safety from a fire safety perspective. 

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.

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 doctoral studies may be employed as doctoral students. The doctoral programme is four years of full-time study. In the case of teaching and other departmental work, employment is extended accordingly, up to a maximum of five years (i.e. a maximum of 20%). Employment as a doctoral student is regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. We intend to employ 1-2 doctoral students. 

Instructions on how to apply

Applications must be written in English. The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project matches your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, grades from relevant educations, diploma or equivalent, a copy of the thesis or the equivalent, alternatively a summary if the work has not been completed, as well as anything else you wish to refer to (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

You will also be expected to answer a number of selection questions as a first step in this recruitment process.