KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Engineering Sciences

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Solid Mechanics

The project is focused on mechanical properties and degradation mechanisms of high-performance batteries. Theoretical models for stresses and fracture mechanisms coupled to electrochemical processes will be developed. Mechanical characterization on different length scales will be performed as well as microscopy investigations.

The main cause of stresses and corresponding fracture mechanisms is ions that at charging and dis-charging lead to swelling and shrinkage of the active materials. The level of stress and risk for fracture depend on the properties of the constituent materials and the geometry on the micro and macro scale. Both lithium-ion batteries with liquid based electrolytes and new battery technologies based on solid-state electrolytes will be investigated.

The project is part of the competence center BASE, Batteries Sweden, which is a collaboration between Uppsala University, KTH and Chalmers with several industries as partners. The research will be conducted at Solid Mechanics, Department of Engineering Mechanics.

A suitable background is a MSc degree in mechanical engineering or engineering physics.

Supervision: The doctoral student will be supervised by: Professor Peter Gudmundson and Docent Erik Olsson

What we offer

Eligibility

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 degree at advanced level,
  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
  • in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
  • Requirements for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

  • independently pursue his or her work
  • collaborate with others,
  • have a professional approach and
  • analyse and work with complex issues.

It is a merit to be able to speak and write in Swedish. Teaching experience is not required but a merit.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

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.

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.

Application

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/entral 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.
  • Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

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

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.

 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number S-2020-1184
Contact
  • Professor Peter Gudmundson, petergu@kth.se, +4676 213 2254
  • Docent Erik Olsson, erolsson@kth.se, +4673 033 0425
Published 10.Sep.2020
Last application date 01.Oct.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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