Doctoral (PhD) position in Solid Mechanics, with focus on dislocation dynamics of hydrogen embrittlement in steel

Admission to PhD education in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialisation in Applied Mechanics.

at the Division of Applied Mechanics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University

Join us!

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and with close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focus.

Read more about us here

About the division
The division of Applied Mechanics is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. At the division we work with both basic and applied research. The research is related to load-bearing materials and constructions and is based on both experimental investigations and numerical modelling. The aim is to be able to design materials and components with better mechanical performance. We also conduct extensive teaching in the field of applied mechanics within several engineering programs.

Project Description
Hydrogen Embrittlement refers to the scenario where hydrogen enters metallic materials, interact with the microstructure and degrade the mechanical properties. It poses a significant threat to the safety of engineering structures for hydrogen transport and storage. However, the underlying mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement is still under debate.

The project is funded by Swedish Research Council and entitled “Interplay between hydrogen, precipitates and dislocation substructures in pipeline steel”. The project aims to improve the safety of hydrogen transport via pipelines, by gaining a solid mechanistic understanding of hydrogen embrittlement in pipeline steels.

By employing advanced experimental and numerical tools, we contribute to mapping the interplay between hydrogen, precipitates, and dislocation substructures, and elucidating how the dislocation substructures trigger premature fracture.

Duties
The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

When you are admitted to doctoral studies, you are offered employment as a doctoral student. A position as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time PhD education for four years.

Read more about being a Doctoral student here.

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However, you work independently to a great amount, e.g. by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and for results for your doctoral thesis. Usually some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

Research-wise, you will apply a so-called discrete dislocation dynamics approach to study how the presence of hydrogen and precipitates influences crystal plasticity at a sub-micron scale. You are expected to conduct electrochemical hydrogen charging and mechanical loading experiments on steel specimens. The dislocation structures in the specimens will then be characterized with TEM and compared to the numerical simulation. TEM observation can be done by a collaborator or subcontractor. You are expected to publish your research outcomes in scientific journals and present them at national/international conferences.

Requirements
Master’s degree or equivalent, in one of the following areas: Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent degree in a related field.

We require good oral and written skills in English.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Additional qualifications
It is advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• knowledge of programming (e.g. matlab, python, fortran)
• continuum mechanics and fracture mechanics
• experience with finite element simulation
• knowledge of microstructural characterization (e.g. SEM, TEM)

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

Your application must include

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position. 
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades. 
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to. 
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have accepted to be references for you, with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent. 

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews. 

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date september 1st or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Assistant Professor/Associate Senior Lecturer Haiyang Yu (haiyang.yu@angstrom.uu.se), Professor Per Isaksson (per.isaksson@angstrom.uu.se).

Please submit your application by 5th of August, 2024 UFV-PA 2024/2131

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