Doctoral students in LUBFLOW: Liquid-infused surface in flowing fluids - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Engineering Mechanics

This project is part of LUBFLOW, which is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and runs from September 1st, 2023 to September 1st, 2028. The primary objective of LUBFLOW is to develop a fundamental understanding of lubricant-infused surfaces in fluid flows, which could have significant implications for various technological applications.

We are currently seeking PhD students in fluid mechanics to join the LUBFLOW team. This position provides an exciting opportunity for talented and motivated researchers to work on a cutting-edge research project.

A lubricant-infused surface (LIS) is a structured surface infused with a viscous liquid layer. These slippery surfaces are partially inspired by the carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plant. LISs have shown great promise for reducing fluid friction, preventing biofouling and increasing heat transfer in fluid flows. However, the behaviour of LISs in realistic flow environments is very difficult to predict. LUBFLOW will therefore investigate LISs in fluid flows that include turbulence, surfactants, and bacteria. This could lead to better control of fluid flows and broad technological advancements.

Depending on your background and interests, you can work on either experimental or computational fluid mechanics combined with chemistry, biology, or materials science. LUBFLOW tasks focus on understanding different aspects of lubricant-infused surfaces:

• Effects of surface tension variations caused by surfactants and thermocapillary
• Bacterial biofilms on interfaces in flows
• Interfacial phenomena of surfaces in laminar or turbulent flows
• Efficient numerical solutions for interfacial turbulent flows

As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to contribute to one or more of these topics based on your skills and interests. You can read more about the LUBFLOW here: https://www.bagherigroup.com/lubflow

Supervision: Professor Shervin Bagheri is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. 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.Read more
• 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.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• The work will take place in collaboration with some of the best research groups worldwide in the field and also provide opportunities for longer stays abroad in connection with such collaborations. 
• You will work in a research multidisciplinary group and use state-of-the-art computational and experimental tools.

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
• Experience in experimental or computational fluid mechanics is a considerable merit.
• Experience with microfabrication techniques, surface chemistry and bacteria are valuable.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement 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.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

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.

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/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 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.