Senior researcher in Vehicle Dynamics

The way of developing vehicles is under rapid change through electrification and more virtual prototyping. The Vehicle Dynamics group contributes to this development with focus on road vehicle motion. The subject includes mechanical engineering and most often, control engineering. The group is working in a growing research area and is now looking for a senior researcher to strengthen its research portfolio.

Information about the department and the research
At the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2) we conduct fundamental and applied research in areas such as safety, energy efficiency and material optimization of sustainable technology solutions across all modes of transport. The division of Vehicle Engineering and Autonomous Systems (VEAS) is one of seven divisions at the department. The division focuses on engineering of systems with applications in vehicles and robots. Our strengths are the knowledge of finding solutions to authentic problems, often with the aim to provide innovative solutions to problems of industrial and societal relevance, by means of theory, modelling, simulations, and experimental work. The division has 8 faculty members, 17 PhD students, and several post-docs and researchers. The main research areas are within energy-efficient, safe and adaptive vehicles, and autonomous systems operating in unstructured environments.

The Vehicle Dynamics group is a part of VEAS. Our research requires an understanding of the complete vehicle, attribute safety, transport costs and driver/occupant experience. Road vehicles are very challenging products since they are complex both with regards to their product structure, but also they should fulfill various requirement settings, due to so many different driving situations. Virtual prototyping, advanced modelling, simulation and driving simulators are tools developed and used in our work. Most of our projects are defined and carried out together with the automotive industry, especially for passenger cars and heavy duty trucks. Sometimes, the authorities are also partners. We often collaborate within academia at national and international level. Within Chalmers, the collaboration is mostly with the Mechtronics group, Revere test vehicle lab and AstaZero test track.

Read more about the Vehicle Dynamics group research activities here 

Major responsibilities
Initially, you will work with already funded projects. The largest of these is about electrification of converter dollies in heavy combination vehicles, e.g. Nordic combinations and A-doubles. The project is in cooperation with Volvo Trucks and the Mechatronics group at Chalmers. In the longer perspective, you will be responsible for identifying research gaps and formulate new projects to secure funding for hyourself, and others (e.g. PhD students and postdocs), all within the fields relevant to the Vehicle Dynamics group. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position also includes supervision of PhD students. A great degree of independence and initiative is expected, but also the ability to work as a team member in projects managed by someone else.

Contract terms
Full-time permanent employment.

Qualifications
To apply for this position, you shall have interest and potential to contribute to technology development and utilization of research results in society. Our subject is multi-disciplinary and you will need to cooperate with other research groups.

Required qualifications:
- MSc and PhD degrees in engineering, preferably mechanical or control engineering
- Experience in mechatronics for, signal processing in, modelling and simulation of vehicle dynamics
- A documented track record regarding high-quality, independent scientific research, evidenced by publication records in high-quality journals and conferences
- Experience from supervision of more junior collegues
- Good leadership skills for research projects and supervision
- Excellent command of English, both written and spoken

Meritorious qualifications:
- Experience from mechatronics and control engineering for road vehicle motion function development
- Knowledge of prediction, and predictive optimization, of energy consumption is important
- Experience of modelling and simulation of road vehicles
- Experience of driving simulators
- Experience from and interest in vehicle development in industry
- Knowledge of tyre mechanics
- Driver licence, especially for car and/or heavy vehicles
- Experience of PhD student supervision
- A documented track record of successful grant applications
- Good knowledge in Swedish language (both oral and written)

The successful candidate needs to be motivated, self-propelled and able to solve problems analytically. These qualifications are necessary to be able to propose research topics and get funding, manage and work on projects on his/her own and with others.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure