PhD Student in Machine Elements

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 Sciences and Mathematics, TVM, is a research group that enthusiastically works for a more sustainable world with a diminishing climate and environmental impact. We work to develop products and processes that are energy-efficient, preferably fossil-free and renewable. We are a large and growing group of about thirty doctoral students and ten supervisors. In our postgraduate education, PhD@ME, we strive for the doctoral student to develop into an expert on the subject but also develop as a person and become a skilled researcher.

We are now looking for a PhD student who will work on developing an understanding of how to be able to assess the risk of damage in a drive train in, for example, vehicles, wind turbines, or aircrafts.

Subject description
Machine Elements comprises the analysis and optimisation of machine components and component systems in order to enhance performance, longevity, energy-efficiency, reliability and sustainability. Particular emphasis is placed on issues in the field of tribology.

Project description
The project is part of a larger European research project within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme. The main goal of the project is to develop diagnostics and prognostics tools for future transmissions, for aviation and other advanced applications such as wind turbines. It is about being able to assess at an early stage, whether damage is about to occur in the transmission, as well as being able to estimate how serious the damage is and how soon it must be repaired. Researchers and PhD students from Sweden, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Slovenia participate in the project. Several industrial companies are also partners, for example, Safran, a French aerospace company, and Bonfiglioli, an Italian company that manufactures transmissions for wind power.

In the sub-project that this PhD-student position concerns, a method for assessing the quality of the lubrication will be developed. This is important because the lubrication of a transmission is essential for its trouble-free operation and low energy consumption. Among other things, it is about understanding how the roughness of the surface interacts with the lubricant to build up a protective lubricating film. An index describing the risk of damage should be developed.

The project is largely experimental in nature but may also contain some modelling for increased understanding of the phenomena being studied. If you enjoy learning about many different areas of technology, this is a project for you. The need for prognostics and diagnostics of the kind that the project deals with will have an increasingly important role in the new business models that the circular economy requires.

Duties
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 postgraduate courses and participate in seminars and conferences both in Sweden and internationally. As the doctoral position is part of a European collaborative project, travel to different partners may occur. 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.

Qualifications
Applicants must have an MSc degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences, for example, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Materials Science or equivalent. 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

Predicted that the qualifications are equal, the underrepresented gender, currently female, will be given priority in this recruitment.

Please note that this project is a European collaborative project with the aim of increasing mobility between countries. Therefore, the applicant must not have stayed in Sweden for more than a maximum of 12 months before taking up the position.

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.

For further information, you are welcome to contact the supervisor group;
Roland Larsson, Chair Professor +46-920-491325, roland.larsson@ltu.se
Marcus Björling, Associate Professor, +46-920-491281, marcus.bjorling@ltu.se
Pär Marklund, Professor, +46-920-492415, par.marklund@ltu.se.

Union representatives:
SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se  
OFR – Lars Frisk, (+46) 920 49 1792, lars.frisk@ltu.se

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

For full advertisment visit, Lediga jobb - Luleå tekniska universitet, LTU

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: 4518-2023
Last day for application: 31 December 2023