PhD Position in Mechanics Engineering

Position: Doctoral (PhD) position in Multiphysics Modeling of Rapidly Deforming Structures in Harsh Environments
Admission: Doctoral (PhD) Studies in Engineering Sciences with specialization in Applied Mechanics
Division: Division of Applied Mechanics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
University: Uppsala University

Join us!

About the Department

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. The department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs.

Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses, as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 230 active co-workers.

About the Division

The Division of Applied Mechanics is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. We conduct research in experimental and computational mechanics with application areas primarily within the life sciences, materials and structural development, and energy-related fields.

Research is multidisciplinary and ranges from applied projects in close collaboration with industry to academic fundamental research. A doctoral degree in the field provides many exciting future opportunities both in academia and in industry, nationally as well as internationally.

Project Description

The sky-rocketing prevalence of impact-induced bone fractures, driven by an aging population and a growth in traumatic incidents such as traffic collisions and critical falling, is leading to a higher demand for bone repair methods.

Biodegradable metal alloy 3D-printed lattice scaffolds are aimed to sustain mechanical loads and at the same time stimulate bone growth into the lattice while the lattice itself degrades and eventually the injured location is completely replaced by newly formed bone.

With financial support of the Swedish Research Council, the research project focuses on the development and implementation of high-performance numerical algorithms for multiphysics simulation of impulse-initiated fractures in porous structures using phase-field models. Phase-field theories are beneficial due to their flexibility in capturing coupled physical phenomena across multiple length and time scales.

The developed algorithms will primarily be implemented on computer clusters to simulate porous and/or randomly structured heterogeneous materials soaked in fluids with the aim of designing implants for the treatment of severe bone fractures and tissue regeneration.

A natural part of the project is to conduct sophisticated experiments using ultra-high-speed MHz X-ray in-situ imaging of bone/lattice systems soaked in fluid and subject to impulse loads at the ESRF synchrotron to support the computer simulations.

A long-term goal is to provide useful numerical engineering tools to Swedish industry for optimal design of load-bearing structures with complex geometries in harsh environments.

Duties

The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. Work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies.

You will work independently to a great extent, e.g., by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and your doctoral thesis. Usually, some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

Tasks involve activities from theoretical development in material modeling, to programming in-house developed codes, as well as conducting experiments locally and nationally (in larger facilities such as synchrotrons).

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Engineering Physics, Mechanics, Computational Science, or related fields, or equivalent education

• Documented experience and knowledge in mechanics

• Good oral and written skills in English

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Additional Qualifications

• Documented experience and knowledge in physics, and scientific programming

• Proficiency in mathematical modeling/analysis

• Knowledge in one or more of the following: continuum mechanics, computational mechanics, numerical analysis for differential equations, numerical linear algebra, thermodynamics, and programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Fortran, or Matlab

Emphasis is placed on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work, focus under high workload, cooperate well with others, and write academic text.

Your Application Must Include

• A short cover letter describing yourself, why you want to do a PhD, and why you are suitable for this position

• CV (max 2 pages)

• Certified copy of your master's degree and course grades

• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other relevant documents such as publications

• Names and contact details of at least two referees, including your relationship to them

Applications must be written in English. Review of applications and interviews will be conducted continuously.

About the Employment

• Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7

• Full-time PhD education for four years

• Starting date: as agreed

• Placement: Uppsala

• Pay: According to local collective agreement for PhDs

• Number of positions: 1

For further information about the position, contact:
Professor Per Isaksson – per.isaksson@angstrom.uu.se

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Reference Number: UFV-PA 2025/3965
Last Application Date: 16 April 2026

About Uppsala University

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. It employs 7,600 staff and educates 53,000 students. We aim to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society.

Uppsala University has received the European Commission acknowledgement HR Excellence in Research, recognizing a stimulating and favourable working environment.

More information on working and living in Sweden: https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com