Postdoc position in fatigue of steel structures

at  Chalmers

Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering is now looking for 1-2 Postdoc researchers who will participate in ongoing research projects in the field of fatigue of steel structures. The research will be within the field of fatigue of steel bridges made of weathering steels and on the application of High Frequency Mechanical Impact Treatment) for enhancing the fatigue strength of welded details.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Two recently granted research projects form the starting point for the two postdoc positions. Both projects are funded by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket). The first project covers a preparatory study on the fatigue performance of bridges made of weathering steel. The aim of this project is to compile the state of the knowledge and plan and prepare for the continuation of research in this field. The candidate will be primarly working with compiling and analysing the current knoweledge in the field, evaluating available fatigue test data and studying potential non-destuctive testing techniques with potential to be used in bridge inspection. Part of the work will also be devoted to the design of experimental program for accelerated enviromental testing in connection to fatigue testing.
The second project is devoted to the study of the fatigue performance of welded bridge details treated with High Frequency Mechanical Impact. The work includes comprehensive experimental program as well as numerical modelling work with respect to fatigue. One aim is to extend the group of details for which this treatment method is well documents to other bridge details.

QUALIFICATIONS

Being a successful applicant, you have a good knowledge in the field of steel structures, demonstrated by graduate and undergraduate courses. Research experience in the field of fatigue of steel structures is a merit. We value that you are skilled in experimental work and have experience from numerical analyses of steel stuctures with particular focus on fatigue. The development of our students and Postdocs is essential for us. Therefore, we highly value if you are motivated to explore new questions, master new skills, and embrace challenges. A suitable background is a PhD degree in the field of steel structures, preferably with orientation towards fatigue of welded structures.
You are expected to work relatively independently, although you will be a part of very active research environment with several other researchers and Ph.D. students.We value that you have an ability to plan and organize your own work, to work in collaboration with others, and to be able to communicate your scientific results in English verbally and in writing.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Exceptions from the 3-year limit can be made for longer periods resulting from parental leave, sick leave or military service*.

• The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree.

Your major responsibility will be to conduct research in the research field described above. You will be conducting your own research within the post-doc project, but also involved in ongoing PhD-projects, by participating in planning and performing the research, as well as co-supervising MSc students. Where the research project includes experimental testing, you are expected to take responsibility for planing, coordinating and performing the experimental work in the laboratory of the division. As a Postdoc you will also be involved in teaching activities at the division. This can include e.g. teaching in MSc courses, and supervision of MSc and Bachelor students.You will develop your skills in communicating scientific results both to the industry and the public, and through scientific publications to the research community.
As a Postdoc you are employed by Chalmers and will receive a salary according to current salary agreements. The position is limited to 2-3 years. A maximum of 20% of your time may be spent on departmental duties, mainly teaching of undergraduate courses. The remaining time will be spent on the research. You are expected to connect with the other researchers and PhD students in the research environment, and to communicate your research both internally and externally.