Integrated PhD stipend in glass mechanics

An Integrated PhD stipend is available in the area of mechanical properties of glasses. The brittleness and low fracture toughness of various glass materials, including oxide and metal-organic framework glasses, remains to be their main disadvantage. This PhD project builds upon related work in our group to identify and quantify structural descriptors. These descriptors will in this project be used to optimize the mechanical properties of different glass families. The prospective PhD student should therefore have an interest in working in a multidisciplinary team and perform both experimental work as well as molecular dynamics(MD) simulations.

The research will focus on the development of novel chemical compositions and processing methods for improving the resistance to crack formation and growth in the different types of glasses. This experimental work will be guided by MD simulations and/or MD simulations will be used to understand the structural origin of the observed variations in mechanical properties. New experimental testing methods, including at synchrotron beamlines, may also need to be developed.

The PhD project is part of the European Research Council(ERC) project“NewGLASS- New Horizons in Glass Structure Prediction and Mechanics”, which is headed by Professor Morten M. Smedskjær. The project aims to accelerate the design of new glasses by using various computational methods and processing techniques to tailor their atomic and microscopic structure and thus control the mechanical properties. The prospective PhD student will therefore collaborate with other PhD students and Postdocs working on this project.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength.

You may obtain further information about the scientific aspects of the project from Assistant Professor Søren Strandskov Sørensen,[email protected] . Group website:sites.google.com/view/smedskjaer

The place of employment is Aalborg University, and the place of work is Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark. 

Application

The application must contain:(1) Cover letter of 1-2 pages describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position;(2) Project description, which is required for technical reasons– in this case, where you apply for a specific project, you may upload a copy of the project description above;(3) CV;(4) Diploma and transcripts of records; and(5) Other relevant information.

Integrated PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who has not yet completed a Master’s degree and who wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the Master study. Thus a prerequisite for acceptance is that the candidate is enrolled in a relevant Master’s programme, such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science or similar. Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement. Experience with glass science, mechanical properties, and/or MD simulations is an advantage.

The integrated stipend consists of two parts, A and B. During part A, you are enrolled simultaneously in the Master's programme and in the PhD programme. The stipend consists of two SU-PhD grants per month(SU= The Danish Students' Grants and Loans Scheme). One SU-PhD grant equals DKK 6.820 DKK(2024 level). SU-PhD grants are paid for a maximum of two years. When the Master's degree has been obtained, you will be employed for two years as a PhD fellow according to the present collective agreement. Part B has a maximum duration of two years.

It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email:[email protected] ,  phone:+45 9940 7408.

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science:www.phd.engineering.aau.dk  

The application is only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities. Allocation of SU-PhD Grants are according to the Ministerial Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme part 12, section II.