Project description
Third-cycle subject: Third-cycle subject: Solid Mechanics
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to develop advanced models for predicting fatigue behavior in high-performance materials. The project focuses on modeling residual stresses and their relaxation under cyclic loading, with a strong connection to microstructure and manufacturing processes. The work combines finite element methods, crystal plasticity, material characterization, and probabilistic approaches to improve predictions of materials fatigue properties.
You will be part of an interdisciplinary team within the Center for Mechanics and Materials Design (MMD) Center for Mechanics and Materials Design | KTH, a collaboration between the Department of Materials Science and the Department of Engineering Mechanics at KTH. MMD is a research environment that integrates mechanics and materials science to drive the development of advanced materials through research and education. The center collaborates with several industrial partners, including Epiroc, Höganäs, Ovako, Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant, Scania, and SSAB, strengthening the link between academic research and industrial applications.
The project is closely connected to ongoing research in materials science and applied mechanics, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation material models.
Supervision: At the Department of Engineering Mechanics, Professor Zuheir Barsoum (principal supervisor), Docent Carl Dahlberg (co-supervisor). At the Department of Materials Science, Professor Peter Hedström (co-supervisor).
Supervision: At the Department of Engineering Mechanics, Professor Zuheir Barsoum (principal supervisor), Docent Carl Dahlberg (co-supervisor) is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. At the Department of Materials Science, Professor Peter Hedström (co-supervisor) is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission
What we offer
Admission requirements
To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:
- passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
- completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
- acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Engineering Physics, or a related field.
In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.
Selection
In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH 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
- analyze and work with complex issues.
- Knowledge of FEM, material modeling, and/or experimental methods for material characterization.
- Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar).
After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.
Target degree: Doctoral degree
Information regarding admission and employment
Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.
Union representatives
Contact information for union representatives.
Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Contact information for doctoral section.
To apply for the position
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:
- CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
- Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
- Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
- Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.
Other information
Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.
For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.
It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.
We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.
Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.
About KTH
KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here
Type of employment: Temporary position
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement
Salary: Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100%
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: PA-2025-1509
Contact:
- Zuheir Barsoum, [email protected], +46702304342
Published: 2025-05-21
Last application date: 2025-06-18
