PhD position on Natural Fibre Composites

PhD position on Natural Fibre Composites

The Division of Polymer Engineering, Department of Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Luleå University of Technology offers a PhD student position (in Swedish "doktorandtjänst") in Polymer Engineering to study the mechanical performance and perform optimization of composite materials made of natural fibres (wood, flax, hemp) and natural resins (starch, PLA, lignin etc).


Short fibre polymer composites are used in automotive, building industry applications However, synthetic materials are rather expensive, especially now when oil prices dramatically increase.Competitive composite properties are achieved using natural fibers and thermo set synthetic resins.Use of synthetic resins diminishes, of course, most of advantages of natural fibers concerning the environmental friendliness and recycling.Hence, it is most important to develop natural composite which consist of materials that all are of bio origin.Since both natural fibers and resins are moisture and temperature sensitive the challenge and objective is to develop materials and understanding of their behavior leading to products with controlled and limited sensitivity to environmental fluctuations.Long-term properties, non-linear behaviour, moisture and temperature stability and micro mechanism based modelling are the key issues.

This project is performed in collaboration with research teams at Royal institute (KTH) and SICOMP in Sweden.

Qualifications: Suitable applicant has a Master degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science (in Swedish "civilingenjörer i maskinteknik eller teknisk fysik") or similar.The research will include both experimental studies and theoretical modelling.Knowledge in elasticity theory is mandatory, basic skills in numerical methods (Finite Elements codes, MATLAB etc) are preferable.

Good skills in written and spoken English are mandatory.Female candidates are encouraged to apply to hold proper gender balance in the group.

For further information: contact Prof.Janis Varna, tel.



Last day for application is Mars 17, 2010

For general curriculum for Education at Post Graduate Level in Polymeric Composite Material go to: http://www.ltu.se/polopoly_fs/1.29465!polymeric_composite%20materials.pdf