The Department of Chemical Engineering at Mid Sweden University, Campus Sundsvall is looking for a PhD student in Computational Physics
Ref no. MIUN 2015/1764
In this PhD position, the candidate is expected to perform computational modelling of multi-phase transport phenomena and fragmentation of particle systems. Such problems are commonly seen in a variety of materials processing systems in chemical, bio-materials, pharmaceutical and food industries. Specifically, this project concerns the process of transforming wood chips into fibres by a double-disk refiner in high pressure and high temperature environments. The phenomena happen very quickly (milli-second order) in a confined space (a few millimetres) on small particles (millimetre to microns). Therefore, a scientific challenge is how to investigate multi-scale, multi-phase and multi-physics phenomena. We use recent developments of computational methods (e.g., discrete-element methods and smoothed particle-hydrodynamics) to unveil how the particles are moved and transformed into fibres in an unprecedented level of detail. Such information is crucial to designing a new process to produce a new generation of fibres from forest, as well as to drastically reduce energy consumption in the current process. The computational methods we use share a lot of common fundamental concepts with molecular dynamics and other particle-based methods.
Those candidates, who are interested in computational modelling, the fundamental sciences behind, and also industrial
exposure, are encouraged to apply. This project is financially supported by the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten).
Job description: Graduate studies include research (80–100 %), and teaching may be requested (0–20 %) as the needs arise.
Requirements and assessment: For this position we are looking for candidates in the area of physical sciences (e.g., physics, engineering physics, computer sciences, chemical/mechanical engineering, theoretical chemistry), who have a strong background in mathematics, physics and numerical methods. To be considered for a PhD position, the applicant must meet the admission requirements of Mid Sweden University´s third-cycle programme. That is, in the case of Swedish applicants, she/he must have a second-cycle degree, or have completed at least 240 ETCS credits of which at least 60 credits should be second-cycle courses. In addition, 90 credits of the 240 total must consist of courses in mathematics, physics and numerical methods. International applicants are also eligible, provided that they have acquired knowledge equivalent of the above requirements (normally a Master’s degree or equivalent). The admission requirements are assessed based on transcripts.
Terms of employment: The PhD position refers to 4-year employment equivalent to 4 years of fulltime studies which are expected to lead to a PhD degree.
Location: Sundsvall
Entry: 1 January 2016, or as agreed.
For further information please contact Professor Tetsu Uesaka, tetsu.uesaka@miun.se, or Dr. Birgitta Engberg, birgitta.engberg@miun.se for project information, and Dr. Christina Dahlström, christina.dahlstrom@miun.se for department information. Visit the web site at http://www.miun.se/en/research/centers-and-institutes/fscn/research-groups/complexmaterials.
Salary: According to the Mid Sweden University salary scale for PhD students.
Union representatives: Ummis Jonsson, SACO, phone: +46 (0)10-142 84 98 and Lollo Ljuslin, ST/TCO, phone: +46 (0)10-142 79 14
The application should include (1) a CV, (2) copies of official transcripts and degree certificates, (3) a one-page cover letter describing your research interests and career goals. The application documents should be received by Mid Sweden University no later than 2015-10-27. Send your application to registrator@miun.se (or Registrar, Mid Sweden University, 851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden) with a copy to tetsu.uesaka@miun.se . Please mark your application with Ref no. MIUN 2015/1764.