Phd Stipend in Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Infections in the Indoor Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic is a respiratory infection disease and it has caused global health concern. WHO has identified airborne transmission as a principal route for SARS-CoV-2, especially in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor environments. The prevention measures recommended by the authorities are primarily applied to control contact and droplet transmissions, but their protective effects regarding airborne transmission are still unclear. The project aims to provide a further understanding of the mechanism of airborne transmission and evaluate the performance of prevention measures on reducing the airborne infection risk under critical scenarios.

The project will involve the development of a‘realistic’ respiration manikin to simulate human respiratory exposure. It will investigate the characteristic of airborne transmission from release, transport to exposure, and identify the critical parameters that influence the cross-infection risk, including person related parameters as well as ventilation related parameters. Additionally, the project will evaluate the protective effects of prevention measures practically applied during COVID-19 and potential ventilation solutions.

Applicants are required to have an excellent academic background with a Master’s degree or equivalent in Indoor Environment and Energy Engineering, Aerosol Science and Technology, Fluid Dynamics and Building Ventilation, Air Quality and Health or any other related discipline. A successful applicant should have the following qualifications:

• Motivation and potential for research activities. Ability to engage in experimental work, both independently and in a team. Be innovative and creative. Keep an open mind. Be internationally oriented.
• Expertise within the following topics will be an advantage: Development of experiments, particularly in flow visualization, tracer gas and aerosol measurement; Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)
• Expertise with the following experimental instruments and simulation software can be an advantage, but not limited to: Particle image velocimetry(PIV), schlieren photography, aerosol generators and sizers, CFD software, e.g., ANSYS.
• Excellent English language skills(both oral and written).
• Publications in international journals/conferences will be valued.

For consideration, interested applicants should submit the following documents:

• Letter of motivation
• Diplomas confirming academic degrees(Master's degree), and academic transcripts.*
• Curriculum vitae
• Publications(if applicable)
• Project description(3-5 pages), which describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art(including brief list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives.

*If you haven’t completed your Master studies at the time of submission, please substitute the MSc diploma with a written statement by your supervisor, specifying the expected completion date and confirming that you are expected to finish on time and send the most recent draft of your thesis.

You may obtain further information from Associate Professor Chen Zhang, Department of the Built Environment, email:[email protected] , concerning the scientific aspects of the position.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 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, head of department supported by 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, please contact Annemarie Davidsen, the Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email:[email protected] .

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.