Postdoctoral position in electric motor design from a system perspective

Electrification and digitalisation are among the largest areas for the future in the conversion to sustainable societies. The Department of Electrical Engineering conducts successful research and education in the areas - renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, industrial IoT, 6G communication and wireless sensor networks as well as research and education within Life Science, smart electronic sensors and medical systems. The Department of Electrical Engineering is an international workplace with around 150 employees that all contribute to important technical energy and health solutions at the Ångström Laboratory.

The position will be at the division Electricity at the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Project description
The majority of electric motors for electric propulsion have permanent magnets with rare earth elements. This post doc project is focused on studying a rare earth element free alternative. The project focuses on system-based design of a spoke-type ferrite motor for railway vehicles. The candidate will work with design of spoke-type motors with ferrite magnets in close collaboration with researchers working on control methods to optimize the motor design using a system-based approach. The work will be performed by Finite element method (FEM) based simulation programs, and programming software for optimization. The research project is performed in collaboration with industry.

Duties

• Research within the presented research project by performing FEM simulations of motors and developing optimization methods.
• Writing publications and present research results from the project on conferences.
• Collaboration with industrial partners in the research project.
• The work duties can also include teaching. No more than 20%.

Requirements

• The applicant must hold a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in electrical engineering, engineering physics or similar with focus on electrical machines.
• 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 labour unions, etc.
•  Good knowledge of design of electrical machines with FEM simulations Experience from using different optimization methods.
• The candidate should have teaching experience from electrical engineering, preferably from teaching in subjects related to electric propulsion.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 

We will put an emphasise in your personal qualities such as good collaborations and communication skills with other researchers. You should be purposeful, structured and be able to work effectively both individually and in groups.

Additional qualifications
Experience with designing and optimizing spoke-type motors with ferrites is a merit. Basic knowledge in magnetic materials and magnetism is a merit. Experience from optimization methods for designing electrical machines in general and ferrite motors in particular is a merit.

Application
Please use the link below. You should include a brief description of your research interests and relevant experience, a CV, copies of diplomas and certificates, thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. You are encouraged to provide contact information to reference.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala 

For further information about the position, please contact: Sandra Eriksson, 018-4715823, sandra.eriksson@uu.se.

Please submit your application by June 10th, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/1752.

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