KTH in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. No less than one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level is provided by KTH.
Education and research spans from natural sciences to all branches of engineering and includes architecture, industrial management and urban planning. There are a total of just over 15,000 first and second level students and more than 1,600 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,300 employees.
The School of Engineering Sciences carries out a wide range of research at the international front line, from fundamental disciplines such as physics and mathematics, to engineering mechanics with applications such as aeronautics and vehicle engineering. We also offer University degree programs in Engineering Physics, Vehicle Engineering, ‘Engineering and Education’, and ‘Open Entrance’, as well as a number of International Masters Programmes.
The Centre for ECO2 Vehicle Design is situated at the School of Engineering Sciences and performs multi-disciplinary research on vehicle design with regards to competitiveness and environmental effects. Research is performed in close cooperation with Swedish vehicle industry and the Centre offers a dynamic network within academia as well as towards industry and authorities.
PhD student focusing on material property steered local optimisation and multi-disciplinary design of vehicle structures: Your task will be to study optimal multi-functional utilisation on a local sub-system level. The performance of individual panels will be optimised through a “materials by design” methodology addressing conflicting requirements of low weight, vibrations, acoustics, heat transfer and life cycle performance, while meeting constraints derived from a global system level. Further background and details are given below.
Project Description – material property steered local optimisation and multi-disciplinary design of vehicle structures
The objective is to study the local, multi-functional optimisation problem related to central issues in passenger vehicle design, namely structural constraints and noise and vibration (comfort) constraints, as well as environmental aspects. These often conflicting functional requirements are difficult, if not impossible, to properly address in a sequential manner, but rather must be dealt with in a multilateral and mulitidisciplinary manner on the functional requirement level. Of crucial importance is then access to multidisciplinary parameterized models represented using advanced simulation tools. Starting from a set global topology, derived by assuming a base of generic constituent materials, the performance of an individual panel will be optimised through a “materials by design” methodology based on a linked “micro to macro” modelling strategy, tailoring each of the different types of materials to an optimal overall performance.
The candidate will work with development of generic material property modelling for design of multi-functional panels, coupling between micro- and macro structure properties as well as elastic and anelastic properties of the constituent materials. A potential outcome of the work could be novel hybrid material concepts, including modelling and related design methodology. The functions to be included in this study are: structural, acoustic, thermal, weight and LCE. External forcing will be defined in terms of local structural static and dynamic loads, acoustic loads and forced thermal convection at the outer surfaces of the panel. A design study will then be conducted using the forcing at different locations in the global structural hierarchy.
Attention: For this application you need to fill out a compulsory cover sheet which is downloaded here, mojo.flyg.kth.se/lws/Other/CoversheetPhDECO2mpo.doc
Eligibility and Assessment Criteria
The potential candidate must have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, Engineering Physics or a corresponding degree. Basic knowledge in solid mechanics, finite elements and acoustics is required and a specialisation in either solids and structures, mechanics, acoustics and vibrations, optimisation methods and/or composite materials is an asset.
The candidate should be highly motivated for doing scientific research and should have well developed analytical and problem solving skills as well as an interest and curiosity for different types of environmental issues.
Employment
Application
The application must include following documents:
- Compulsory cover sheet, mojo.flyg.kth.se/lws/Other/CoversheetPhDECO2mpo.doc
- CV (maximum 2 pages) including education and relevant academic/work experience
- Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
- Official record of transcripts and copy of degree certificate
Deadline for application is 12 March 2012
Reference number: S-2012-0250
Applications should be mailed to ihallon@kth.se . Above described documents should be attached as word or pdf files. Please put the Employer’s reference number in the subject line.
Contact
Peter Göransson, professor,
Phone: +46 8 790 79 63
pege@kth.se
Per Wennhage, assistant professor,
Phone: +46 70 620 64 34
wennhage@kth.se
Union representative
Lars Abrahamsson, SACO
Phone: 08-790 7058
lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se
