Postdoc in characterization of strain-rate sensitivity of metals

KTH Royal Institute of Technology; Stockholm; On-site; SEK 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

KTH Royal Institute of Technology recherche un postdoctorant pour une recherche pionnière sur le comportement des matériaux à des vitesses de déformation élevées. Ce poste sera basé dans le laboratoire Hultgren, offrant une opportunité unique de contribuer à l'innovation dans le domaine des matériaux métalliques avancés, en collaboration avec des acteurs industriels majeurs.

Benefits

Environnement de travail dynamique et international

Accès à des instruments de caractérisation avancés

Possibilités de relocalisation

Qualifications

• Expérience en tests de déformation dynamique et mécanique.
• Capacité à travailler en anglais, à l'oral comme à l'écrit.
• Expérience en modélisation FEM préférable.

Responsibilities

• Investigation du comportement des matériaux sous des déformations à hautes vitesses.
• Établissement de méthodologies expérimentales pour le test de matériaux.
• Collaboration avec des partenaires industriels pour améliorer les modèles de matériaux.

Skills

Comportement mécanique des matériaux

Analyse microstructurale

Utilisation de LIPIT

Education

Doctorat en science des matériaux ou physique expérimentale

Job description

Zweeds

Noors

Norsk

Fins

Duits

Frans

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Postdoc in characterization of strain-rate sensitivity of metals

Since its founding in 1827, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering un...

At the Hultgren Laboratory at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering we are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to investigate materials behavior at micrometer length scales during deformation at high velocities. High strain rate deformation is fundamental to processes such as hard-particle erosion, materials processing and manufacturing, and in this project we aim to establish an experimental and computational platform for the improvement of high-strain-rate material models for metallic materials across a wide range of strain rates and temperatures.

Experimental and modelling strategies will be defined in dialogue with developers of materials models, end-users that apply such models for process and materials development, and providers of wear-resistant and other high-performance metallic materials. The postdoctoral project will focus on the establishment of the experimental test methodology Laser-induced particle impact testing (LIPIT) at the Hultgren Laboratory for testing of high strain-rate behavior of metallic materials. The LIPIT micromechanical tests will be complemented with more standard micro- and micromechanical testing as well as microstructure characterization of deformation structures, etc. The novel experimental insights on strain-rate sensitivity, also at extreme rates, will feed model improvements in collaboration with partners in the project. Finite element modelling (FEM) will be used for the mechanics modelling, and physics-informed machine learning (AI) will be explored for developing a materials library for strain-rate sensitivity that can be incorporated in FEM.

You will be part of the interdisciplinary activity within the Center for Mechanics and Materials Design (MMD), a collaboration between the Department of Materials Science and the Department of Engineering Mechanics at KTH. MMD is a research environment that integrates mechanics and materials science to drive the development of advanced materials through research and education. The center collaborates with several industrial partners, including Epiroc, Höganäs, Ovako, Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant, Scania, and SSAB, strengthening the link between academic research and industrial applications. The project is closely connected to ongoing research in materials science and applied mechanics, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation material models.

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• An opportunity and support to develop expertise via access to a broad range of advanced materials characterization instruments at Hultgren laboratory.
• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree in materials science, experimental physics, mechanical engineering, or closely-related area for the proposed research. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Research experience in mechanical behavior and microstructures of metallic materials, e.g. LIPIT, Split-Hopkinson, tensile testing, indentation testing, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), etc.
• The ability to express yourself very well in English, spoken and written, as this will be required in day-to-day work
• You are self-motivated with a strong ability to take initiative and run projects

As a person, you have well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills and like to take responsibility. You have strong collaboration skills including the ability to lead and to support research.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Knowledge and/or strong interest in learning about finite element modeling (FEM) and physics-informed machine learning (AI) is highly meritorious.
• Computational modelling experience is preferred.
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.

Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here

Job description

At the Hultgren Laboratory at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering we are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to investigate materials behavior at micrometer length scales during deformation at high velocities. High strain rate deformation is fundamental to processes such as hard-particle erosion, materials processing and manufacturing, and in this project we aim to establish an experimental and computational platform for the improvement of high-strain-rate material models for metallic materials across a wide range of strain rates and temperatures.

Experimental and modelling strategies will be defined in dialogue with developers of materials models, end-users that apply such models for process and materials development, and providers of wear-resistant and other high-performance metallic materials. The postdoctoral project will focus on the establishment of the experimental test methodology Laser-induced particle impact testing (LIPIT) at the Hultgren Laboratory for testing of high strain-rate behavior of metallic materials. The LIPIT micromechanical tests will be complemented with more standard micro- and micromechanical testing as well as microstructure characterization of deformation structures, etc. The novel experimental insights on strain-rate sensitivity, also at extreme rates, will feed model improvements in collaboration with partners in the project. Finite element modelling (FEM) will be used for the mechanics modelling, and physics-informed machine learning (AI) will be explored for developing a materials library for strain-rate sensitivity that can be incorporated in FEM.

You will be part of the interdisciplinary activity within the Center for Mechanics and Materials Design (MMD), a collaboration between the Department of Materials Science and the Department of Engineering Mechanics at KTH. MMD is a research environment that integrates mechanics and materials science to drive the development of advanced materials through research and education. The center collaborates with several industrial partners, including Epiroc, Höganäs, Ovako, Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant, Scania, and SSAB, strengthening the link between academic research and industrial applications. The project is closely connected to ongoing research in materials science and applied mechanics, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation material models.

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH .
• An opportunity and support to develop expertise via access to a broad range of advanced materials characterization instruments at Hultgren laboratory.

Read more about what it's like to work at KTH and ourbenefits .

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree in materials science, experimental physics, mechanical engineering, or closely-related area for the proposed research. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Research experience in mechanical behavior and microstructures of metallic materials, e.g. LIPIT, Split-Hopkinson, tensile testing, indentation testing, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), etc.
• The ability to express yourself very well in English, spoken and written, as this will be required in day-to-day work
• You are self-motivated with a strong ability to take initiative and run projects

As a person, you have well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills and like to take responsibility. You have strong collaboration skills including the ability to lead and to support research.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Knowledge and/or strong interest in learning about finite element modeling (FEM) and physics-informed machine learning (AI) is highly meritorious.
• Computational modelling experience is preferred.
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

Contact information totrade union representatives.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.

Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here

Type of employment: Temporary position
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement
Salary: Monthly salary
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100%
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: PA-2025-2110
Contact:

Peter Hedström, [e-mail]

Mohammad Hoseini Athar, [e-mail]

Zuheir Barsoum, [e-mail]

Published: 2025-06-26
Last application date: 2025-08-08

Since its founding in 1827, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering un...