Postdoctoral position in Applied Mechanics on damage coupled diffusion modelling

Postdoctoral position in Applied Mechanics on damage coupled diffusion modelling

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

Full-time temporary position for two years, starting as soon as possible or as agreed upon.

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.

Research project

The advertised position is tied to the project “Diffusion and damage during delignification of wood biomass (D4mass)” financed by Formas, which deals with the chemical delignification process, with a focus on advanced structural characterization and mass transport analysis. We aim to develop a predictive model that couples damage and diffusion phenomena and is based on realistic wood chip microstructure constructed with X-ray tomography (XRT). The model can be applied to predict and optimize the processing parameters of chemical delignification for a wide range of applications, such as kraft cooking and producing delignified transparent wood.

We are now looking for you with expertise in computational mechanics who is eager to work in an interdisciplinary project that contributes to resource-smart processes and sustainability.

Duties

You will be responsible for developing a damage coupled diffusion finite element model that captures the progressive destruction of cell walls during chemical delignification as well as the evolution of diffusion coefficients as a function of the damage. A finite element representation of real wood microstructure will be constructed based on XRT data, and delignification as well as damage evolution will be simulated. For model calibration and verification, laboratory permeation experiments will be designed and carried out.

In addition to research, some participation in supervision of doctoral students, master's and project students as well as communication of research results through scientific articles in well-established scientific journals and presentations at international conferences are also included as important aspects of the employment. Some participation in undergraduate teaching may also be included. You are also expected to contribute to applications for external research funds.

Qualification requirements

To qualify for an employment on a postdoctoral position you must have a doctoral degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labor unions, etc.

This position requires a Doctoral degree in Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, Applied/Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent degree in a related field.

Documented knowledge and experience in computational modelling are required.

We require very good oral and written skills in English, as well as very good skills in writing scientific publications.

Read more about the Postdoctoral position, rules and regulations at the Swedish Agency for Government Employers here: (Only in Swedish) 

Additional qualifications

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

• programming (e.g. matlab, python, fortran)
• thermodynamics and mechanics
•  finite element software, e.g. ANSYS, ABAQUS, COMSOL.
• X-ray tomography (XRT)
• wood and cellulose materials

We attach great importance to your personal qualities and you must be self-motivated and proactive and have the ability to independently plan and run projects. You must also be pedagogical, structured and able to work effectively both individually and in a group, as well as be able to easily collaborate and communicate with people in different subjects.

Special emphasis will be placed on your documented experience of publishing scientific works in high-quality journals and giving presentations at scientific meetings.

Instructions for application

Your application must include:

• A letter describing yourself, your goals and why you are a suitable candidate for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• List of publications
• Copy of three publications of special relevance
• Copy of the PhD, master's degree (or equivalent) and course grades and other merits
• Short description (max 300 words) of your doctoral thesis
• If available, an electronic version of your doctoral thesis (or weblink).
• Names and contact information (e-mail and telephone) to two reference persons who have agreed to act as reference for you. Please also describe the relationship with that person.

The application can preferably be written in English. During the application period, we will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

About the employment

The employment is time-limited for 2 years according to the central collective agreement. The position is full-time. Starting date 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), Associate Professor Malin Wohlert (malin.wohlert@angstrom.uu.se).

Please submit your application by 24th of August 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2183

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