Take the chance to be a main player in a project on capillary driven flow through bio-inspired hierarchical anisotropic porous structures - BioCap-Flow together with us at Fluid Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology. We are now looking for one PhD student within the area of capillary flow and microfluidics. You will be a part of a strong and team of researchers from different subjects and universities where your goal is to disclose the flow in natural porous media like through tree stems. Then using this knowledge to design engineering solutions for different purposes.

The research subject Fluid Mechanics is part of the Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics at Luleå University of Technology. The department's research extends over many different subject areas, providing great possibilities for interdisciplinary collaborations.

As employed as a PhD student at the university many benefits are included, e.g the possibility of health promotion activities during working hours. If you want to know more about the terms and benefits you have as a PhD student at Luleå University of Technology and the current salary situation, read more at the Doctoral Student Section.

Subject description
Fluid Mechanics comprises the study of flow in porous media, multiphase flow and rheology, linked to industrial production, fluid flow optimisation and design of energy technology applications and magneto hydrodynamics.

Project description
Capillary-driven flows through porous materials are all around us, for example, when we use a dishcloth to absorb a liquid or when plants draw water from their roots to their leaves. Sometimes, the porous material consists of pores on multiple length scales, and the pores have a typical orientation, resulting in anisotropic flow. These properties influence how quickly a liquid is absorbed, transported, and distributed through the material. It is therefore important to identify geometries where these scales interact optimally. The goal is thus to develop new and existing bio-based and bio-inspired materials based on the function of natural materials. The project purpose is to contribute to an increased use of bio-based materials, thereby supporting the green transition.The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council.

Duties
As a PhD student you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you can have the opportunity to try the teacher role. As a researcher, you work as a neutral party in many contexts, which provides a great opportunity to be involved in challenging development projects.

Qualifications
We are looking for you who hold a MSc degree or similar in Biomimetics with knowledge of Fluid Mechanics. Such knowledge may also have been obtained from degrees in, for instance, Engineering physics, Mechanical engineering and Energy technology. You should have good oral and written skills in English. Experience of numerical methods such as CFD and/or experimental work within fluid mechanics is considered as an advantage. It is also important that you have ambitions to contribute to a good working environment for the PhD-students at Fluid Mechanics as well as for other collellegues within the Group, the Department and the University.

For further information about a specific subject see General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: According to agreement

For further information about the position, please contact Chaired Professor Staffan Lundström, +46 920 49 23 92, staffan.lundstrom@ltu.se or Associate Professor Gunnar Hellström, +46 920-49 10 45, gunnar.hellstrom@ltu.se

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Croneer (+46)920-49 2037  diana.croneer@ltu.se  
OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: 20^th February 2025
Reference number: LTU-5180-2024