PhD student position in materials microstructure

Stimulated by major needs and challenges in science and society, the ambition of the department of Applied Physics is to foster a creative environment for academic research, teaching and outreach. We provide a competitive advantage by linking top-level international and interdisciplinary academic performance in the areas of material science, nanotechnology and energy research with world-leading industrial R&D&I projects.

We address a wide array of experimental, computational, methodological and theoretical challenges, from fundamental physics research, through the development of new materials to direct industrial projects generating new inventions. We have a strong learning commitment on all levels from undergraduate to PhD studies where physics meet engineering.

We are situated in a stimulating and creative environment with 200 physics teachers and researchers, 120 PhD students and 550 undergraduate students.
Information about the research/the project/the division
At the Division of Materials Microstructure we study the development of the detailed microstructure of materials during fabrication and service, and correlate the microstructure with the properties of the materials. Our main tools are instruments of microscopy and microanalysis of high spatial resolution, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. Most of our work is made in collaboration with industry, and we have extensive collaboration with groups working with thermodynamic and atomistic modelling.

Project description
Following the accident at the Fukushima Daiitchi nuclear power plant in 2011, the nuclear industry is looking for ways to limit the effects of such an incident. One route is to make the fuel rods more persistent towards high temperature exposure, either by using ceramics or coated metals. In this project, composites of SiC with SiC-nanowire reinforcements will be studied with respect to the performance as fuel rods material, both under normal operating conditions and extreme accident conditions.  

Major responsibilities
The majority of the student’s working time will be devoted to own research, with the main objective to obtain a PhD degree at the end of the project. For this purpose, it is expected that the student will be able to develop and pursue own scientific ideas, and communicate the results in a wide context, through the publication of scientific articles and oral presentations at international conferences. In addition, the position will normally include 20% department work, mostly teaching duties. The employment is limited to a maximum of five years.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment.

Qualifications
We are looking for an outstanding candidate with a M.Sc. degree in Engineering Physics or Physics. Training in Electron Microscopy is considered as an additional qualification. Also, experience of working with ceramic materials is desired

To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your naive language, you are encouraged to learn it during your employment as a PhD student. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Application deadline: 2014-04-10

For questions, please contact:
Mattias Thuvander
Phone: +46 31 772 3322
e-mail: mattias.thuvander@chalmers.se

Professor Krystyna Stiller
Phone: +46 31 772 3220
e-mail: stiller@chalmers.se






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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; Built Environment, 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!