PhD Student in Fluid Mechanics

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research domains. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results and drawing on our location in the Arctic region, we create global societal benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are carried out in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of SEK 1.9 billion. Today, we have 1,815 staff and 19,155 students.



In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The Division of Fluid and Experimental Mechanics at the Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics at Luleå University of Technology are performing research and education within the field of Ecohydraulics, where the environmental impact of Hydropower is one of the most important issues. Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy globally and stands for about 17% of the world’s electricity production. Hydropower is facing new technical challenges as more intermittent renewable energy sources are introduced, older machines need to be restored, adaptations to climate change are required and new environmental rules and regulations needs to be followed. One of the most important issues is how a modernization of Hydropower should be implemented to fit both an energy system in transition and a future sustainable society while maintaining biodiversity. The division of Fluid and Experimental Mechanics is therefore providing a PhD position in the field of Fluid Mechanics with a focus on Ecohydraulics. You will also be a part of the Swedish Centre for Sustainable Hydropower (SVC) within the new programme Environment and Society where you, together with other researchers, will be developing the sustainable hydropower of the future.



Subject description

Fluid Mechanics comprises the study of flow in porous media, multiphase flow and rheology, linked to industrial production, fluid flow optimization and design of energy technology applications and magneto hydrodynamics.



Project description

You will work within a group that performs research on Hydraulic Engineering and Ecohydraulics where one of the main objectives is to reduce the local environmental effects from Hydropower. The aim of this specific project is to develop digital twins of river stretches regulated by hydropower that couples the flow fields from numerical hydraulic models of rivers with individual based population models of different fish species to determine the environmental impacts of current and future flow scenarios. The project is multidisciplinary and is carried out in collaboration with biologists from Karlstad University and Vattenfall Research and Development.



Duties

As a PhD student you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you can have the opportunity to try the teacher role. The tasks also include participating in seminar activities and other forms of research exchange within SVC. As a researcher, you work as a neutral party in many contexts, which provides a great opportunity to be involved in challenging development projects. Specifically, you will work with developing numerical hydraulic models of river stretches, but also develop tools and methods to integrate flow properties into biological models to create a better overall picture of the ecological impacts that are crucial to determine Hydropower’s place in a future sustainable energy system. The project could also involve field measurements for model data or validation.



Qualifications

You should have completed 300 credits within Physics and Electrical Engineering, Space Science, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Energy Engineering or equivalent with 60 credits on an advanced level and several courses coupled to Fluid Mechanics. You should also have proficient skills in both written and spoken English. Knowledge in hydraulic modelling, CFD, GIS, IBM and programming is a merit.



For further information about a specific subject see General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology



Further information

Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: as soon as possible, by agreement.



For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Anders Andersson, (+46)920-49 2065, anders.g.andersson@ltu.se



Union representatives:SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se, OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se



In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.



Application

We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.



Reference number: 3583-2022

Closing date for applications: November 2, 2022