Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Lund University

Sweden

Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Construction Sciences

Position Overview

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46 000 students and 8 500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

The Department of Construction Sciences at LTH is seeking an Assistant Professor in Solid Mechanics with a focus on computation-driven design of metamaterials with respect to multiphysics.

Description of the Workplace

The Department of Construction Sciences at LTH is seeking an Assistant Professor in Solid Mechanics with a focus on computation-driven design of metamaterials with respect to multiphysics. The position is a six-year tenure-track appointment with strong institutional support, mentorship, and a clear career path.

Are you a motivated early-career researcher who wants to build an independent academic career? We welcome applicants with research interests in multiphysical constitutive modelling, numerical methods for multiphysics problems, and the development of numerical optimization methods for virtual design of metamaterials and structures.

Do you want to be part of a dynamic research environment at Lund University, with close connections to the research facilities European Spallation Source (ESS) and MAX IV, as well as access to advanced infrastructure such as the 4D Imaging Lab for X-ray tomography, computational resources, and laboratory facilities for experimental mechanics?

The Division of Solid Mechanics conducts research within constitutive modelling, nonlinear numerical methods, structural optimization, coupled problems, and experimental mechanics, with applications to metals, polymers, fibrous materials, and granular materials. Numerical methods, such as the finite element method, form the basis of much of our research, with significant development of material models to capture micromechanical phenomena. Experimental mechanics is closely linked to the modelling and includes advanced neutron- and X-ray-based methods.

This position offers excellent conditions to establish a research group, lead pioneering projects, and collaborate across disciplinary boundaries. In addition to research and supervision of doctoral students, teaching and supervision of degree projects at the Division of Solid Mechanics are included. We strive to attract future research leaders with international experience and a strong interest in shaping the future of computation-driven design and multiphysical modelling.

Subject

Solid mechanics

Subject Description

The position includes research and doctoral supervision in Solid Mechanics with a focus on computational driven design of metamaterials and structures with respect to multiphysics. The research will focus on multiphysical constitutive modelling, the development of numerical methods for solving multiphysics problems, and numerical optimization methods for the virtual design of structures. Particular emphasis is placed on nonlinear problems, topology optimization, and shape optimization.

Work Duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

Research within the subject area.
Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
Actively seeking external research funding.
Collaboration with industry and wider society.
Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification Requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment Criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
Teaching ability.

Additional Requirements

Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
Significant documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc) from another university/institute outside Sweden or relevant international experience from industry/public sector.
Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.
Documented experience of teaching at the undergraduate level.

Other Qualifications

Documented experience of supervising doctoral students and master’s thesis projects.
Ability to secure external research funding in competitive calls.
Very strong ability to work with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We Offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee

Instructions on How to Apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:
http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Solid Mechanics

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification Requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
Demonstrated teaching expertise.
Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment Criteria

The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional Requirements

Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
Progression in research and teaching expertise.

About the Faculty of Engineering

LTH is Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering. At LTH we educate people, build knowledge for the future and work hard for the development of society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative advancements in technology, architecture and design. We have nearly 12,000 students. Every year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 theses and 2 000 scientific findings. In addition, a number of research results and degree projects are transformed into innovations. Together we explore and create – to benefit the world.

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