Karlstad University / Department of Engineering and Physics

Sapere Aude—dare to be wise—is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and expertise that enrich both people and the world around them. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and perseverance. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. We are located in an active and scenic region and we promote sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider society.
 
Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 19,000 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika.
 
More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Background
The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology invites applications for three doctoral studentships in materials engineering at the Department of Engineering and Physics. The department teaches engineering students for exams on bachelor, master and doctoral levels.

In the department’s materials science research group, researchers from different disciplines participate in a well-equipped laboratory with advanced material analysis and testing. The research is often accomplished in projects with a focus on the technical applications in groups of collaborative industries. The research is on relations between microstructure, mechanical properties and the technical application. Materials engineering is a part of the larger materials science group at Karlstad University, which covers areas as applied mechanics, materials engineering, materials physics and physical chemistry.

Duties
The main duties involve to participate in the research project “AMHiPP – Advanced Materials for High Performance Products”, and to follow the doctoral student (post-graduate) training up to a doctoral exam in materials engineering.

As a doctoral student, you will participate in the AMHiPP project for research on advanced metallic materials in high performance products. The AMHiPP project is funded by the Swedish Knowledge Foundation, the industrial partners (Curtis Wright Surface Technologies AB, FBT Bredaryd AB, Gestamp HardTech AB, GKN Aerospace AB, Sandvik Powder Solutions AB, SECO Tools AB, Uddeholms AB and Voestalpine Precision Strip AB) and Karlstad University. More information is found on www.kau.se.

The post-graduate positions are about properties of advanced high strength materials (tool steels, strip steels, hard metals, superalloys) manufactured primarily by powder metallurgical processes and additive manufactured (3D-printed) materials. Studies will be undertaken on the material’s microstructure, mechanical and tribological testing are performed, and advanced material analysis methods are used, e.g. electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and synchrotron light based methods. Theoretical modelling of material properties are also a part of the research work. Manufacturing of new alloys in the research group’s 3D-printer is included as well.

We are recruiting three doctoral students, and the positions have somewhat different descriptions. It is important that you in your application state the order of priority of your interest in the three different positions, see heading “Application” below.

Post-graduate A, is directed toward properties of additive manufactured materials and studies of their microstructures dependent on processing parameters, and its relations to the material’s mechanical properties.

Post-graduate B, is directed toward properties of advanced high strength materials manufactured primarily by powder metallurgical processes and additive manufactured materials and their mechanical properties as fatigue and defect tolerance.

Post-graduate C, is directed toward properties of advanced high strength materials manufactured primarily by powder metallurgical processes and additive manufactured materials and analysis of their structure through advanced analysis methods, as by synchrotron light studies.

A doctoral student is mainly expected to engage in doctoral studies. The doctoral programme consists of 240 higher education credits, including the doctoral thesis. Departmental duties, such as teaching, or other tasks, may be allocated up till 20% of full-time. Normally, the doctoral student performs its work at the working place.

Eligibility
For admission to doctoral studies applicants must meet the requirements of both general and special eligibility (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7 sect. 35)

Applicants who have a Master's degree of 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, meet the general eligibility requirements.

Special eligibility for admission to doctoral studies in materials engineering requires applicants to have a Master’s degree within the field of mechanical engineering, or within nearby fields as material science, physics and chemistry. The one who not fulfils the special eligibility requirements but in other ways has acquired corresponding knowledge may after special evaluation become eligible.

Admission and assessment criteria
For admission to doctoral studies an applicant must be judged to have the ability required to pursue the programme successfully (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7, sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Assessment is based on an evaluation of the applicant’s ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

Special weight is given to:
Completed education with materials engineering specialization.

Considerable weight is given to:
Documented knowledge on engineering materials microstructure and their mechanical properties.

Experience of metallographic studies and mechanical testing. Modelling and simulation of materials structural and mechanical properties.

Experience of research and development project within the field of the present knowledge area.

Qualifications of merits are:
Industrial and technical experience of activities within the present knowledge area.

Karlstad University places great weight to personal qualities such as ability to cooperate, to exercise good judgement, to take responsibility, to commit to activities, and to have a positive attitude to colleagues and students.

Terms of employment
Upon admission to doctoral studies, a studentship position will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 5, sect.3). The position is a full-time, fixed-term employment (one year that can be extended by two years at the most at a time) with starting-date by agreement.

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
Application should include well documented qualifications. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement before deadline and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. Give two references, of which at least one is a former or present supervisor, or equivalent.

Application should include:

- Letter of application with description of your background and your interest in the position,

- List of qualifications (CV),

- Degree certificate with transcripts of courses completed, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates,

- Copy of a Master thesis (one or two years) or equivalent,

- Copies of publications or certificate of other qualifications, if applicable,

- Letter of recommendation, if possible,

- Give an order of priority (1-highest, 2-middle, and 3-lowest) on the focus of the doctoral position you prefer, Post-graduate A, B and C.

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi, and attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not provide links to them). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to: Karlstads universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa, natur och teknikvetenskap, Elisabeth Wessling, 651 88 KARLSTAD

State the ref. no: REK2020/86

Last day of application: 2020-04-24

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.  

 

 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2020/86
Contact
  • Jens Bergström, Professor, +46 54 700 1259
  • Lars Johansson, Head of department / Professor, +46 54 700 1677
Union representative
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, +46 54 700 1434
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, +46 54 700 1714
  • Tony Ingemarsson, Lärarförbundet, +46 54 700 1404
Published 30.Mar.2020
Last application date 24.Apr.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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