Doctoral student in Industrial Electrical Engineering with a focus on Electric Propulsion Systems for Jet Engines

Description of the workplace

The position concerns knowledge development on how future electric propulsion systems in aircraft will be designed and used. The work takes place in an environment of researchers in electric power systems, power electronics, and electric motor drive systems, but also in close collaboration with researchers in adjacent departments and divisions working with automatic control, fuel cell technology, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, fire and fire protection, and semiconductor physics.

The workplace is located in the Machine House on LTH’s Lund Campus, where laboratories for power electronics, electric power systems, fuel cell technology, solar and wind power, etc. are located close to each other and interconnected in a structure that forms a microgrid with up to 200 kW capacity.

We strive for a non-prestigious and inclusive work environment with a balanced gender distribution.

Subject description

In the aviation industry, there is a need for a new electric architecture to accommodate future electric subsystems and the ability to manage higher powers for all electric and electronic (avionics) systems. An important transition is from today's three-phase 115 Volt AC / 400 Hz power distribution to a direct current (DC) system with 270 Volt DC. This DC system will connect power electronics and electric machines for both electricity generation driven from the gas turbine’s main shafts, for the drive/start of the gas turbine, and for driving several pumps and other loads. In all cases, the new systems must withstand extreme environments, have very high operational reliability, and be smaller and lighter than their conventional predecessors. The external environmental impact includes temperature variations in the range of minus 50 to 130 degrees Celsius caused by both altitude and so-called ram pressure.

The project is funded by Vinnova/NFFP-8 to build and deepen knowledge of the control and design of power electronics and electric machines needed in the future electrification of aviation. Knowledge is built in collaboration between GKN and the Division of Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation (IEA) at the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) at Lund University. Together, the parties will apply existing knowledge from the road vehicle industry to meet the aviation industry’s stricter requirements.

The primary purpose of the project is:

• To build competence in the Swedish aviation industry to act as a requirements setter in procurement and construction responsibility in the area of electric drive systems for aviation applications.
• To build competence in Swedish academia to support the Swedish aviation industry in the area of power electronics drive systems and testing of these in relevant environments.

The overarching goals of the project are:

• To develop electric drive systems with minimal weight and volume combined with high efficiency and reliability/redundancy.
• To educate a PhD student in this field and further develop close collaboration between industry and university.

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 work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The research project job tasks consist of studies of the electric power system in future jet engines, specifically the design and optimization of electric drive systems, i.e., power electronics, electric machines, and their control.

The work is carried out in close collaboration with researchers in the same group at LTH working on related tasks and with researchers at GKN Innovation, all also working on related questions. Some of the work may be performed in GKN’s labs.

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 Industrial electrical Engineering if the applicant has: 

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject area

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge of power electronics, electric machines, electric circuits, and modeling of electric energy systems for both AC and DC systems.
• Good cooperation skills, initiative, independence, creativity, analytical and mathematical skills.

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:

• Experience of work in industry with relevant tasks in the area.

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. We normally have between 10 and 20 PhD students active at the same time, with strong cohesion and strong participation in the department’s and university’s activities, including representation in both the department’s and the faculty’s management groups. 

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.).

We look forward to receiving your application!