PhD student in Materials Engineering

Materials that can withstand extreme heat, pressure, and corrosion are essential for the energy, aerospace, and clean tech industries. Tungsten excels in all these areas, but its use is limited by its brittleness and very high melting point, which make it difficult to process with conventional methods. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ElectronsMatter network is addressing this challenge through electron beam powder bed fusion, a cutting-edge additive manufacturing technique. By combining modelling, process optimisation, and advanced materials characterisation, the project aims to produce crack-free tungsten components.

The Department of Management and Engineering at Linköping University is now recruiting one PhD student to join this European network, contribute to the research, and receive training in sustainable manufacturing and advanced materials.

Your work assignments

You will investigate the fatigue performance of tungsten and tungsten alloys produced by electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB). Due to the inherently brittle nature of tungsten, the sample preparation and testing procedures will require particular care and innovation. The project will focus on understanding how surface condition, microstructure, and residual defects influence fatigue behavior. Special emphasis will be placed on correlating defect characteristics with process monitoring data, in close collaboration with other researchers within the network. A key part of the work will involve developing and evaluating models to assess the structural integrity, performance, and lifetime of PBF-EB–manufactured tungsten components. This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the fundamental understanding of fatigue in refractory metal systems and to support the advancement of additive manufacturing for high-performance applications.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science and Engineering or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science and Engineering. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

In accordance with the EU mobility rule, you must not have resided or had your main activity (work or studies) in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the start date.

You are expected to have good communication skills in English, both spoken and written.

In order to succeed as a doctoral student, you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to: independently pursue his or her work, collaborate with others, have a professional approach and analyse and work with complex issues. After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Your workplace

The division of Engineering Materials conducts research as well as undergraduate and postgraduate education in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Materials Engineering. 

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date by agreement.

This position may come to be a security classified position. If so, security screening including a records check will be carried out before any decision on employment is made.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than 2025-12-08.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.