Description
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is University West’s overarching profile and basic principle applied to learning, the exchange of ideas, and educational development. The government has assigned the distinguished task of developing WIL to University West. Work integrated learning in education and research develops new, relevant and advanced knowledge both within the academy and among its partners, which also benefits society in general. University West offers a wide variety of study programs, has a good number of applicants and the students show a high entry rate on the labor market. The main research environments at University West are Production technology, Learning in and for the new working life and Child and youth studies and is conducted in collaboration with the surrounding society. Campus is centrally located in Trollhättan with about 13,000 students and 700 employees.
University West is looking for a Postdoctoral researcher in Production Technology specializing in Friction Stir Welding:
Research at the Division of Mechanical Engineering (welding and AM) at the Department of Engineering Science focuses on three main areas in relation to welding technology: Metallurgy, Process physics modelling, and Process development and control.
Our main aim is to fundamentally study and improve our understanding of welding and welding-based additive manufacturing processes and their influence on materials. In a new project in cooperation with a consortium of ten different industrial companies, we are seeking a Post doc for a position at University West.
The scientific part of the project:
Friction stir welding and processing (FSW/P) is a solid-state and environmentally friendly welding technique, making it an attractive option for industries looking for efficient and sustainable welding solutions. FSW/P does not involve the generation of molten metal, so there is less risk of fumes, gases, and spatter that can result in air pollution or the need for extensive fume extraction systems. This makes FSW/P a cleaner process with reduced environmental impact.
Considerable research effort has been devoted worldwide towards the investigation of FSW/P for different types of aluminium alloys manufactured through different routes such as extrusion, rolling, and cast. At University West, too, a strong research environment in FSW/P of all types of aluminium alloys in similar as well as dissimilar combinations has taken shape with the aid of numerous funded projects implemented in close co-operation with industries. However, there has been very limited previous work globally addressing dissimilar combinations of aluminium alloys and tooling systems.
The Postdoc project will focus on the development of aluminium or copper materials spot welded structures, specifically shedding light on mechanical performance of the joints as well as weld quality. This will demand systematic experimental studies that will investigate build characteristics such as microstructures, precipitates, etc., besides functional properties such as static as well as dynamic loading of the built structures.
Responsibilities/Role Description/Work Duties:
In this postdoc project, among other things, you will work with the following:
- Conduct advanced research on friction stir welding (FSW) as well as friction stir spot welding (FSSW), including process optimization, material behavior, and joint performance.
- Design, plan, and execute experimental welding trials, including parameter selection, tooling setup, and sample preparation.
- Perform microstructural characterization (optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, EBSD) and mechanical testing (tensile, shear, hardness, fatigue) of welded joints.
- Develop or refine numerical/thermal-mechanical models to understand material flow, heat generation, and defect formation in FSW and FSSW.
- Analyze data, interpret results, and prepare technical reports, journal publications, and conference presentations.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including materials scientists, manufacturing engineers, and industry partners.
- Contribute to**proposal writing, project planning, student supervision, and dissemination of research outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with**laboratory safety protocols, maintain equipment, and support the development of new experimental setups.
Qualifications:
Eligible for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is someone who has completed a doctoral degree or who has equivalent scientific competence. This qualification requirement must be met by the time the appointment decision is made. Preferably, the person should have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the appointment decision is made. In special circumstances, such a degree may have been completed earlier. The default for a postdoctoral appointment is full-time employment. For more information, please refer to the postdoctoral agreement on the Swedish Agency for Government Employers' website.