PhD student in experimental fluid mechanics and complex films

Project description

Research education subject: Technical Mechanics

FLOW is a strong research environment with researchers conducting both fundamental and applied research in fluid mechanics at the Department of Technical Mechanics.

We are seeking a PhD student with an experimental focus in fluid mechanics for the Fluids and Surfaces group within FLOW. The position offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated candidate to contribute to a cutting-edge research project, funded by Vetenskapsrådet (VR).

The project aims to increase the understanding of how complex films, including biological and living films, interact with surrounding fluid flows. Such films occur extensively both in nature and in technical applications, from mucus in the lungs to biofilms on medical devices and ship hulls. When films are subjected to shear and potentially time-varying flows, they can deform into complex shapes, exhibit unusual material properties, and evolve over time. Thus, they constitute a dynamic and continuously changing boundary for the flow. At the same time, the films affect the overlying flow and can change both frictional resistance as well as the transport and exchange of various substances.

Despite their importance, the coupled interaction between complex films and fluid flows is still poorly understood. This limits our ability to predict and control these systems and poses significant challenges in medical, industrial, and geophysical applications.

In this project, the PhD student will work with and further develop a unique experimental platform to study complex films under controlled yet simultaneously complex flow conditions. The experimental work will be complemented by continuum modeling of complex materials, data-driven methods, and computational fluid mechanics (CFD).

Supervision: Shervin Bagheri is proposed to supervise the PhD student. Decision is made upon admission.

Eligibility for admission

To be admitted to doctoral studies (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance) the applicant must have basic eligibility:

a completed advanced level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at the advanced level, or in some other way, within or outside the country, acquired knowledge mainly corresponding to these.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to Engelska B/6.

Selection

To succeed in your PhD studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. During the selection of applicants, the ability to:

independently drive your work forward, be able to collaborate with others, maintain a professional approach, analyze and work with complex issues, and experience in experimental fluid mechanics, will be assessed.

After the eligibility requirements, great importance will be placed on personal qualities.

Target degree: PhD

Information about admission and employment

Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as a PhD student. The total period of employment may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed PhD student may, to a limited extent (at most 20%), perform certain tasks within, e.g., education and administration. A new employment as a PhD student is valid for at most one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for at most two years at a time. For studies intended to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

As a PhD student, you will benefit from KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreements for PhD salaries. Read more about Forskarstudier vid KTH | KTH | Sweden.

Union representatives

Contact details for union representatives.

Doktorandsektionen (Tekniska högskolans studentkår)

Contact details for the PhD section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application shall contain the following:

Copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations to English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified. CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge. Cover letter with a concise account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, about your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Max 2 pages) Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please attach a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other

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