PhD Student in Solid Mechanics

Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 1.9 billion per year. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

Do you want to contribute to the green transition in the north of Sweden and work with sustainable steel production? Within the project FINAST we are looking for a PhD student to focus on the strength reduction of steels in hydrogen environments.

Here you get the chance to develop in solid mechanics and hydrogen, work interdisciplinary and conduct research in close collaboration with industry.

Subject description
Solid Mechanics comprises the development of analytical, experimental, and numerical methods in engineering mechanics. Important research areas include the modelling and simulation of production processes as well as the analysis of the function of products with a particular focus on the development of models for both solid and granular material behavior and their interaction.

Project description
The FINAST project (Research and Innovation in Norrbotten for Advanced Green Steel Production and Manufacturing) is an interdisciplinary research project funded by the EU Fund for Justice Transition and the Agency for Growth. The project contributes to the green transition and a carbon dioxide-neutral steel industry through research efforts in collaboration between Luleå University of Technology, Swerim and SSAB. The research activities are both directed towards the process chain downstream the actual steel manufacturing focusing on properties and performance of the fossil-free steel as well as fossil-free steelmaking focusing on the usage of hydrogen and bio-based raw materials.

As a PhD student in the FINAST project you will work in a cross-disciplinary research environment, in close collaboration with research institutes and industry, and contribute in the transition towards a carbon dioxide-neutral steel industry.

In this PhD-student project we will investigate the strength reduction of steels in hydrogen environments, so called hydrogen embrittlement, with a particular focus on the influence of the manufacturing process on the fatigue strength. The aim is to predict how the strength is affected to determine material choice, manufacturing processes, design and inspection intervals for the hydrogen system planned for the green steel industry.

Duties
As a PhD student you are involved in both theoretical and experimental tasks. One important part will be to develop and conduct fatigue experiments where the hydrogen environment is controlled with salt water and electricity. Advanced simulation methods which couple electrochemical and mechanical phenomena will be used to describe what happens in the experiments. Based on the experimental results and the modelling, we will calculate the probability of fracture, given the mechanical load and the hydrogen environment, in order to design components in the hydrogen system.

Included in a PhD student position is practice in scientific work like academic publishing in established international scientific journals and at international conferences. As PhD student, you will also take compulsory and optional courses in your research subject. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you can have the opportunity to try the teacher role.

Qualifications
You must have a master’s degree, or equivalent, in Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Engineering Physics or in a relevant topic with focus on mechanical behavior of materials.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate, who are capable of conducting state-of-the-art research and who can work independently as well as in teams. You must have good oral and written communication skills and be fluent in English.

For the evaluation of candidates, special emphasis is put on the following:
- Knowledge and skills relevant for the project
- Quality of MSc thesis
- Personal skills relevant for research

For further information about a specific subject see: General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Most employees at the subject Solid Mechanics are currently men therefore we welcome female applicants.

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: Upon agreement but an early start is preferred.

For further information about the position, please contact:Associate professor Erik Olsson, +46 920-49 2143, [email protected]

Union representatives:SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 [email protected] , OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 [email protected]

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: May 7, 2023
Reference number: 1244-2023

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