PhD student position in Geometry Assurance

Chalmers University and Chalmers division of Product Development conducts research in close collaboration with our industrial partners in the automotive and aerospace industry. We offer you to join a research team heavily involved in the development of future tools and methods for virtual product and production development.

Information about the research group
The Geometry Assurance & Robust Design Group, at the department of Product and Production Development (PPD) and Wingquist Laboratory, conducts research on assembly modelling and analysis, robust locating system design, variation simulation, visualization, tolerance optimization, inspection preparation and use of inspection data for product and process control. The research group is led by Professor Rikard Söderberg and includes at present 6 additional senior researchers and 10 PhD students. The research team has a strong position in industry and has over the last decade produced a number of scientific results that have been transferred into commercial software products.


Geometry Assurance and Variation Simulation
Variation from individual manufacturing processes, together with the assembly and joining process, affect geometry of the final product. By the use of variation simulation tools, the geometrical outcome of an assembled product can be predicted. Tolerances and locating schemes can then be optimized with respect to cost and quality. The variation simulation software RD&T, developed by the research team, is used predict how non-rigid parts or subassemblies behave after assembly. Use of inspection/scan data, optimization routines, new material models and new manufacturing processes are continuously included in the work to get better predictions of reality before any physical prototypes are built.

The details of the departmental research activities may be found at http://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/ppd/Pages/default.aspx

Major responsibilities
We are now seeking PhD students to strengthen the research group within new research challenges. The PhD candidate positions are focusing on the following areas:


• Variation simulation and intelligent matching based on scan data of individual parts.
• Root cause analysis and optimization of assembly stations, taking position of locators, clamps and joining sequence into consideration.
• Stamping simulation for geometry assurance and variation simulation
• Variation simulation for additive manufacturing (AM)

The research will be carried out in close collaboration with our industrial partners.

Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, both in Swedish and in English. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.


Qualifications
We search for creative and self-going persons, capable of planning and carrying out research towards defined goals. The successful candidate should have a Master´s degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in mechanical engineering and/or material science and/or mathematical science with interest in Geometry Assurance in a wide perspective. The position requires good sound verbal and written communication skills in English and the ambition to learn Swedish. Chalmers offers Swedish courses. The candidate shall teach in courses given by the department in the M-program and the master program “Product Development”. 

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.



Application deadline: 2016-07-01

For questions, please contact:
Professor Rikard Söderberg
Department of Product and Production Development
Tel: +46 31 7728617
e-mail: rikard.soderberg@chalmers.se


*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Building Futures, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!