Doctoral student in Solid Mechanics

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Solid Mechanics

We are looking for a doctoral student to develop and validate numerical tools for examining the mechanical behaviour of fibre network materials across all relevant length scales, from the fibre joint level to the continuum, in the “Concurrent Multiscale Micromechanical Modelling of Fibre Networks” project. The project aims to advance a concurrent multiscale approach, incorporating plasticity, hygroexpansion, viscoelasticity, and damage at both the fibre and fibre connectivity scale.

In this project, you will investigate the effects of drying and moistening on fibres and fibre joints during manufacturing and end-use. A particular focus will be on understanding how anisotropic constraints during drying influence the development of the network's mechanical properties and residual stresses. This project provides an exciting opportunity to gain insights into the complex behaviour of fibre networks and contribute to advancing our understanding of these widespread materials, which are integral to the transition towards sustainable development.

You will develop and extend our in-house computational tools for multiscale modelling of fibre networks. On the experimental side, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for material characterization, including advanced imaging techniques and mechanical testing equipment necessary for completing and validating the modelling efforts.

This project will establish close collaboration with industry partners such as Tetra Pak, Canon, RISE and FibriTech. The doctoral student is expected to disseminate their work through publications in scientific journals and contributions to national and international conferences.

Supervision: Artem Kulachenko is proposed to supervise the doctoral student,  Assistant Professor Rami Mansour and Assistant Professor Alexander Grötsch are proposed as co-supervisors. Decisions are made on admission.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

To succeed as a doctoral student at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

•  Ability to self-motivation and taking initiative
• Independently pursue his or her work
• Experience with numerical methods such as finite element analysis
• Programming skills in languages such as Fortran/Python/Matlab/APDL
• Strong academic credentials in relevant subjects  

Skills in Machine Learning, surrogate modelling, Fortran and ANSYS are complimentary merits in evaluation.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

The position may include security-sensitive activities. To become authorized, you therefore need to pass a possible security check.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here

1. Artem Kulachenko, professor, artem@kth.se