Project Description

Third-cycle subject: Applied Physics

The energetics and dynamics of wetting are of high interest from both fundamental scientific and technological perspectives. Often, the macroscopic behavior of wetting is dominated by processes at the molecular scale at the interface. Here, the three-phase contact line, where substrate, liquid, and gas (or another liquid) meet, is of particular importance. These scales cannot be observed directly in experiments. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations provide the required spatial and time resolutions. In this project, we will study how mixtures of two liquids or a liquid plus surfactant wet surfaces. The surfaces can be either simple or have molecules attached to them that interact with the liquid in different ways. Non-trivial behavior has been observed in experiments, which can be due to preferential wetting of the substrate by one of the liquids (energetics) or differences in the dynamic behavior of liquids at the contact line. Molecular dynamics simulations enable us to disentangle these effects and rationalize behavior observed in experiments. As a further step, we might capture certain types of behavior as boundary conditions or extensions of continuum models, developed in collaboration with the Department of Mechanics.

This PhD position is within a collaborative environment shared with the Department of Mechanics, where there is development of continuum methods and experiments. The environment is multidisciplinary, international, and includes the main developers of the popular GROMACS molecular simulation package, which will be used in this project.

Supervision

Berk Hess is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

What We Offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and a monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality, and diversity, as well as the study environment.
• The opportunity to work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and water.
• Assistance to relocate and settle in Sweden and at KTH.

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 are second-cycle higher education credits, or
• Acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

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 on their ability to:

• Independently pursue their work
• Collaborate with others
• Maintain a professional approach
• Analyze and work with complex issues

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 exceed full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, such as 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 exceed 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 the doctoral section.

How 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 by 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, your academic interests, 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.

According to The Protective Security Act (2018-585), the candidate must undergo and pass security vetting if the position is placed in a security class. Information regarding whether the position is subject to such a classification will be provided during the recruitment process.

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 center 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 cover 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.

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Contact: Berk Hess, hess@kth.se
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