Doctoral student in Materials Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology is accepting applications for a doctoral studentship leading to a PhD in Materials Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Physics. The department conducts research in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. A large portion of the research projects are conducted in collaboration with private companies, regional authorities, and organisations. The group that houses this doctoral project is focused on fracture mechanics and fatigue.

Duties

The primary duty is independent doctoral studies in the form of an original thesis project as well as courses within the framework of a doctoral project.

The doctoral project in question includes the development of experimental methods to determine delamination properties and study the microstructure of paperboard. Knowledge of delamination properties is a key factor in the ability to predict grooving and folding and thus ensure the quality of paperboard packaging. The project is funded by five companies: BillerudKorsnäs, Klabin (Brazil), StoraEnso, TetraPak, and WestRock (US).

A doctoral student is mainly expected to engage in doctoral studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 higher education credits, including the doctoral thesis. The doctoral student will work independently and should be prepared to contribute to the subject’s and department’s activities as well as conduct teaching or administration. Such duties may not constitute more than 20% of full-time. To contribute to a positive work environment and help further the subject’s activities, we expect the doctoral student to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have second-cycle qualifications, completed at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 credits at Master level, or who have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for the PhD programme in Materials Engineering, the applicant must have been awarded a Degree of Master (60 or 120 ECTS credits) or a Degree of Master of Science in Engineering in the main field of Mechanical Engineering or adjacent academic fields such as Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry. An applicant who does not meet the specific entry requirement but has acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way may be deemed eligible following a special assessment.

Admission and assessment criteria

To be eligible for doctoral studies the applicant must be deemed to have the ability required to pursue the programme successfully (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7, sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

In the selection of eligible applicants, special weight will be given to

• results from previous studies that include specialisation courses in mechanics and solid mechanics
• the quality of any independent written assignments included in previous studies.

In the selection of eligible applicants, considerable weight will be given to

• experience in experimental studies
• experience in FE modelling with cohesive elements
• a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English
• the ability to cooperate, foster good relationships with colleagues and students, take responsibility, and show initiative.

In the selection of eligible applicants, weight will be given to

• relevant professional experience from the paper industry.

The assessment will also factor in the extent to which the applicant intends to be physically present and active in the research environment.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position is full-time and fixed-term — one year initially, followed by possible extensions by a maximum of two years at a time. Start date as negotiated. The doctoral studentship comprises four years of full-time studies, or five years at a study rate of 80% with 20% teaching or other departmental duties. The latter applies to this position.

Any findings from the project will be shared freely with the funding companies, for instance in the form of publication in scientific journals.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students at Karlstad University.

Further information

Karlstad University places great value on the enriching presence of diverse backgrounds and gender balance in the organisation. We welcome applicants with different cultural backgrounds, gender identities, functional abilities, and life experiences.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

- a cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position,

- a list of qualifications (CV),

- degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates,

- copy of Master’s thesis or similar,

- where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications,

- two references, such as a former or current manager, teacher, academic supervisor, or similar,

- possibly letters of recommendation.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content. Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:
Karlstads universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa, natur och teknikvetenskap, Registrator, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden

Application deadline: 9 August 2020

State the ref.no: REK 2021/149

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.