Doctoral student in material physics and non-destructive diagnostics of polymers

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Polymer Technology / Materials Science

The project focuses on the development of non-destructive methods for condition monitoring and lifetime assessment of polymeric materials in nuclear environments. The work is part of a larger, interdisciplinary research programme funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR), aiming to improve the safety and lifetime of polymeric components used in nuclear power, such as cables, seals, and protective materials.

The doctoral project combines low-field NMR with advanced material characterization to establish quantitative relationships between molecular dynamics, microstructure, and functional degradation in polymeric materials. Particular emphasis is placed on how fillers, stabilization strategies, and active molecules influence local segmental mobility, diffusion, and NMR relaxation, and how these relationships evolve under controlled thermal ageing.

The objective is to develop material-anchored condition indicators that enable robust, non-destructive lifetime assessment in safety-critical environments. The project is carried out in close collaboration with other work packages within the programme, including material development and AI-based modelling, and provides the doctoral student with access to a strong research environment with modern infrastructure and international collaborations.

Supervision: Richard Olsson is proposed as the main supervisor. Assistant supervisor: Payam Pourmand are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

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 general eligibility requirements, the applicant must have:

• a Master of Science in Engineering degree or a Master’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Technology, Engineering Physics, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent
• documented knowledge of polymeric materials, material characterization, or material physics.

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

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
• analyze and work with complex issues.

Meritorious:

• experience with NMR, dielectric methods, or other spectroscopic techniques,
• experience with ageing studies, polymer degradation, or filled polymer systems,
• programming or data analysis related to material characterization.

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

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.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

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

Contact information for doctoral section.

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

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

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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.