2 PhD research fellow positions in Non-destructive testing and fracture simulation

2 Ph.D research fellow positions are available in Non-destructive testing and fracture simulation at Western Norway University of Applied Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science.

The detection of cracking in engineering components is of great importance in many industries from subsea to aviation. There are a number of technologies that focus on the detection of cracks with an ability to inform as to the nature of a given defect. There are also computational techniques that allow the modelling and simulation of cracking in a damaged component. It would be of great advantage to be able to interpret and characterize a signature from a non-destructive technique so allowing interpretation of the detected signals, which could then be aligned with a simulation. In that way a component's signature would provide the non-destructive forensic evidence to allow the modelling of a crack, and hence allowing an accurate failure prediction (in terms of failure mode and time to failure).

Ultrasonic waves are well suited for the imaging of defects and inhomogeneities in materials. Imaging based on active acoustics in array-configurations is internationally both a topic of research and used in industry. The use of passive acoustic techniques for listening to the formation of cracks and their development has not at present been shown the same focus.

In this project, the idea is to combine active and passive acoustic techniques to study the generation and development of cracks in metals and composite materials. Work will seek to characterize the acoustic signature as cracks grow through various materials and their constituent structures, which may be associated with how a component has been formed and/or joined. For example in a weld or in a cold worked zone. The results will be compared with numerical results obtained from using crack-modelling software which will probably employ finite element or boundary element methods with adaptive mesh refining algorithms. Models must appropriately represent the stress state, material properties (fracture and otherwise) and joint interfaces (in the case of welded or composite structures).

The Ph.D research fellow positions will be part of the Fatigue & Fracture: Testing and Simulation research group which is cross departmental between the Department of Machanical and Marine Engineering (IMM) and Department of Electrical Engineering (IE) in the Faculty of Engineering and Science (FIN).

The competence within metallurgy and simulation in IMM and measurement science at IE will form the basis for the two PhD research fellow positions.

One research fellow position shall focus on measurements relating to propagating cracks; primarily using ultrasonic technology, with both active and passive acoustics.

The other research fellow position shall focus on crack modelling using numerical software. The two researchers will co-ordinate their work to achieve the overall goals of the research project.

Qualifications

To apply you should have a master's degree in engineering based subjects, acoustics, measurement/physical sciences, mathematics or another related field, and have submitted the master's thesis before the application deadline. In the latter case, it is required that the master`s degree be awarded within 4 weeks after the application deadline.

As part of the selection procedure the following criteria will be considered:

• competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (equivalent of Grade B or better (Merit/Distinction) in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA))
• publications (if any)
• research & teaching experience
• Ideas for the outline of a research plan for a PhD project in line with what has been described above will also be taken into account.

Successful candidates must be diligent and display the ability to work independently, supplemented with regular guidance; and will be expected to carry out high-quality research and to publish the results in international workshops, conferences, and journals.

It is intended that the successful applicants will enrol in a PhD programme at HVL; they must meet the formal admission requirements for admission into this programme. The candidates must be enrolled as PhD students within 3 months from the start of the period of employment.

The period of employment/studentship may be able to be reduced if the successful applicant has previously been employment as a research fellow.

Application procedure

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members. Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link ?Apply for this job" (?Søk stillingen"). The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Master Thesis
• Copies of selected academic publications
• A CV with a complete list of academic publications
• Diplomas and certificates

Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel.

Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.

Salary

Initial salaries will be offered at grade 50 (code 1017) in the Civil Service pay grade table scale. There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund. The successful candidate must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State Employees and Civil Servants in Norway. Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and sex composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Contact Persons

Professor Richard Grant richard.grant@hvl.no +47 55 58 78 15 Department of Machanical and Marine Engineering

Professor Kjell Eivind Frøysa kjell.eivind.froysa@hvl.no +47 55 58 78 29 Department of Electrical Engineering