PhD-student in circular economy for electric motors

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.The Division of Machine Elements (ME) at the Department of Engineering Science and Mathematics is a research group that enthusiastically works for a more sustainable world with decreasing climate and environmental impact. We work with research that creates the prerequisites for development of products and processes that are energy efficient, preferably fossil-free and renewable. We are a large and growing group with approximately thirty PhD students and ten supervisors. In our doctoral education (PhD@ME), we strive for the doctoral student to develop into an expert in the subject but also develop as a person and become a skilled researcher. A professional who, after her/his PhD, can initiate and lead research projects within the university world or in industry and other parts of society. Being part of the research group means working in an international and creative environment with good resources and an extensive international contact network.

The activities at ME primarily include many aspects of tribology but also other issues connected to machine design, machine components and maintenance technology. A growing area is product development for sustainability, that is, how the products of the future will combine high demands on sustainability with the traditional demands on high performance and good cost-effectiveness. The research is both of a basic research nature and of an applied nature and often takes place in close collaboration with Swedish and international industry.

We are looking for a PhD student who will work on developing an understanding of how to maximize energy efficiency and material utilization for industrial electric motors. The project is carried out together with industries from all phases of the circular economy. The collaboration will also take place together with a doctoral student in business development.

Project description
LTU, ABB, Boliden, SCA, and Stena Recycling are part of the project consortium. The project is also part of LTU's strategic investment in the circular economy - Creaternity, www.ltu.se/Creaternity. The PhD student will participate in Creaternity's research school and thus gain access to its courses and network.

The project is about the circular economy of industrial electric motors. As much as 45% of the world's energy use comes from the industry's 300 million electric motors. Continued electrification means that the number will double by 2040. 80% of today's electric motors have a low energy class, and a shift to a higher class would reduce energy use by 10%. With legislation and increasing energy costs, engines will therefore be replaced, in parallel with electrification, which means that new production can more than double. Recycling the electric motor's material for new manufacturing is complicated and expensive. Therefore, real circularity is required via optimized materials adapted for recycling, new engine design, and utilization of existing machines as spare parts. We will investigate how material selection for electric machines can be optimized, how engine design should be done for optimized operation, how service and recycling can be optimized, how spare engine stocks can be coordinated to reduce material consumption and investigate how such a business becomes economically as well as climate- and environmentally sustainable.

Tasks
The tasks are varied; you work independently to plan and carry out studies, write scientific articles and complete your doctoral thesis. In between, you study courses and participate in seminars and conferences both in Sweden and internationally. During the journey, you have at least three supervisors who support you in your work. You will also have the support of other experts and PhD students within the EU project.

The position includes a fixed-term full-time employment for 4–5 years (depending on the degree of institutional duties). Institutional duties can include administrative tasks, other research assignments and teaching up to 20%.

Qualifications
Applicants must have an MSc degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences. Very good skills in oral and written communication in English is also a requirement.

The following selection criteria apply:

- Knowledge relevant to the project in question
- Personal qualities relevant to research
- Quality of Master’s Thesis

Information
For further information, you are welcome to contact the supervisor group, Chair Professor Roland Larsson, +46-920-491325, roland.larsson@ltu.se, Professor Pär Marklund, +46-920-492415, par.marklund@ltu.se, and Adjunkt Professor Victoria Van Camp, 076-1171207, victoria.van.camp@ltu.se.

Union representatives, SACO – Christer Gardelli, +46-920-491809, christer.gardelli@ltu.se OFR – Lars Frisk, +49-920-491792, lars.frisk@ltu.se

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

For complete vacancy announcement please visit ltu.se/vacancies

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. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish. Mark your application with the reference number below.

Reference number 3099-2024
Last day for application October 13, 2024