Research and teaching conducted at the Department of Physics span from basic science topics in condensed matter physics, biophysics, mathematical physics, atomic, nuclear, particle and astroparticle physics to applied areas such as medical imaging, nuclear reactor physics, nuclear reactor technology and nuclear power safety.

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Physics

We are looking for a Doctoral student interested in theoretical materials physics with applications in nuclear engineering. The physics department hereby announces a doctoral position in the division of Nuclear Engineering. In this project we will study the radiation tolerance of advanced steels and oxides that are suitable for application in Generation IV nuclear reactors, fusion reactors and for high-performance fuels in light water reactors. Many new materials that have been developed during the last decade show excellent behavior in aggressive environments where e.g. corrosion resistance is critical. Their tolerance to radiation and the evolution of radiation damage  need further study. In this project we will model radiation damage in steels and oxides, with focus on the relatively new class of steels based on iron, chromium and aluminum, and in the aluminum oxides that protect the surface. We will use advanced electronic structure theory and multi-scale modeling coupled to large experimental campaigns that are ongoing in the frame of the international research projects M4F and IL TROVATORE, which also finance this project. We also have a national collaboration between KTH, Chalmers and Uppsala University with support from the Swedish Research Council.

You will work as a Doctoral student in the division of Nuclear Engineering, which has a staff of 30 persons, of which about half are Ph.D. students or postdocs. It is a creative, international and stimulating working environment where you will work both independently and collaborate with others. You will be supervised by Prof. Pär Olsson.

What we offer

• The Physics Department at KTH Royal Institute of Technology offers the opportunity to complete a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in a dynamic, international research environment that features world-class facilities as well as close collaboration with industry, prominent research institutes and universities worldwide.

• As a doctoral student at KTH, you receive monthly salary according to KTH's Ph.D. student salary agreement, https://intra.kth.se/en/anstallning/anstallningsvillkor/lon/doktorandstegen-1.572915
• KTH is a workplace with many employment benefits: https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/en-arbetsplats-med-manga-formaner-1.467932
• You can obtain help with accommodation and other transition services by KTH Relocation: https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/relocation/welcome-to-kth-relocation-1.517039

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § högskoleförordningen), the applicant must have basic eligibility:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

A suitable background for this position is a degree in Engineering Physics, Physics, Materials Science or Nuclear Engineering.

In addition to the basic eligibility, the applicant shall also meet the requirements for the special eligibility for admission to the doctoral programme in physics. 

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue your work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

Further qualifying properties are experience with programming, using density functional theory (DFT) and having used supercomputer facilities. After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree:

Ph.D.

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study. Decisions on employment as a doctoral student may not be appealed.

Eligibility, selection and admissions are regulated in antagningsordning till utbildning vid Kungl. Tekniska högskolan and the program description for the doctoral program and current subject syllabus available on KTH's website.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH:s recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET / CEST (Central European Time / Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• Applications must include the following elements:
• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Statement of purpose: Why do you want to pursue a PhD, what are your academic interests, how they relate to your previous studies and future goals; maximum 2 pages long.
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports: Documents no longer than 10 pages each. For longer documents (e.g. theses), please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other

Gender equality, diversity and resignation from all forms of discrimination is both a quality issue and an obvious part of KTH's value base.

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