Researcher in Engineering Materials

Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 2 billion per year. We currently have 1,500 employees and 17,900 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 Materials Science at Luleå University of Technology are looking for a researcher who is interested in conducting research in Engineering Materials, focusing on the design and processing of hydrogen diffusion permeation barriers for steels. The research subject “Engineering Materials” has ongoing research programs span broad research areas in metallic and ceramic materials (high-temperature intermetallic, space materials, high-strength steels, porous ceramic materials, and materials intended for energy recovery). 

The division is part of the Department of Engineering Science and Mathematics. The department has several other research topics with activities that border on material technology, such as materials mechanics and machine elements. In the undergraduate program, the main two programs focusing on the international profile of the Division of Materials Science are important for the department, namely the EEIGM master's engineering program and the AMASE master's program. Within these educations, many students perform project work and degree projects in projects related to our research. The research subject of Engineering Materials consists of five senior researchers, two technicians, and nine doctoral students.

Subject description
Engineering materials includes the field of material composition, structure, properties and production of materials – mainly metallic and ceramic – as well as application aspects.

Project description
The project, design and processing of hydrogen permeation barriers, focuses on designing complex, concentrated alloys (CCAs) as hydrogen permeation barriers through thermodynamic modeling and synthesis in amorphous and crystalline states as coatings and powders. The CCAs will be characterized for hydrogen diffusion pathways and resistance to hydrogen embrittle at high pressures. The design of CCAs focuses on tailoring local disorder, formation of nano-twins, controlling the grain size, a large number of solute atoms, tailoring grain boundaries, and concentration of imperfections during processing to tailor sorption capacity and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement of the CCA powder. The CCA powder will be coated using laser processing on low alloy steel to demonstrate resistance to hydrogen embrittlement in steels. Process analysis and imperfection mitigation while maintaining the material properties to produce high quality surfaces is an essential aspect of the laser processing.

Duties
Working as a researcher involves defining your daily tasks and how they will be carried out. You will act and train as a project manager, combined with your development. Involvement with other projects and teaching will occur up to 20 percent of your time.

Qualifications 
The candidate must have a doctoral degree in materials science, chemistry or chemical engineering, good knowledge, experience, and a good publication report on CCA alloys and hydrogen permeation measurements. The candidate must be good at written and oral English. Experience in processing science, porous materials, and synthetic chemistry is advantageous.

Information 
The position as a researcher is a full-time employment for one year. Place of employment is at campus Luleå. Starting date upon agreement.

For further information please contact:
Farid Akhtar, Professor, 0920-49 1793 farid.akhtar@ltu.se
Jan Frostevarg, Associate Professor, 0920-49 1675 jan.frostevarg@ltu.se

Union representatives: 
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, (+46)920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@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 the position via the application button below where you attach a personal letter as well as a CV / curriculum vitae and diploma and a research plan on one page to complete the project. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Applications and diplomas must be written in Swedish or English.

Application deadline: 1 November 2024
Reference number: 3081-2024

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