Postdoctoral Position in Materials Science

Royal Institute of Technology

Project Description

Third-cycle subject: Materials Science

Materials that can withstand extreme heat, pressure, and corrosion are essential for the energy, aerospace, and clean tech industries. Tungsten excels in all these areas, but its use is limited by its brittleness and very high melting point, which make it difficult to process with conventional methods.

Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ElectronsMatter network is addressing this challenge through electron beam powder bed fusion, a cutting-edge additive manufacturing technique. By combining modelling, process optimisation, and advanced materials characterisation, the project aims to produce crack-free tungsten components.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KTH is now recruiting two PhD students to join this European network, contribute to the research, and receive training in sustainable manufacturing and advanced materials.

Briefly about the two projects:

Microstructure modelling:

  • Develop thermodynamic and kinetic descriptions of tungsten and its alloys.

  • Integrate results into microstructure models to predict phase transformations and grain structure during electron beam powder bed fusion.

  • Collaborate closely with experimental researchers to validate models and contribute to crack-free tungsten components.

Advanced materials characterisation:

  • Characterise tungsten and its alloys at the atomic level using techniques such as atom probe tomography (APT) and electron-ion microscopy.

  • Focus on identifying and understanding the effects of trace and alloying elements on microstructure and properties.

  • Link experimental data with microstructure modelling to contribute to crack-free tungsten components.

Supervision: Greta Lindwall and Peter Hedström (subject to admission decisions).

What We Offer

  • Study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and universities worldwide.

  • Monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.

  • Mobility allowance and possible family allowance under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program.

  • Postgraduate education at an institution supportive of working conditions, gender equality, diversity, and study environment.

  • Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and water.

  • Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and Sweden.

  • Opportunities to collaborate with academia, research institutes, and industry as part of the ElectronsMatter network.

  • International research training with secondments at partner universities and in industry, joint doctoral courses, and training schools.

Admission Requirements

  • Must meet basic eligibility for postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance).

  • Mobility rule: Candidates must not have resided or conducted main activity in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the recruitment date.

  • Completed a second-cycle degree (Master’s degree) or equivalent knowledge.

  • Master’s degree in Materials Science or a related field is required.

  • English proficiency equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

  • Independently pursue work.

  • Collaborate with others.

  • Maintain a professional approach.

  • Analyse and work with complex issues.

Emphasis will also be placed on personal skills and meritorious knowledge or experience.

Target Degree

Doctoral degree

Information Regarding Admission and Employment

  • Only admitted candidates may be employed as a doctoral student.

  • Employment corresponds to full-time doctoral education for up to four years.

  • Maximum 20% of employment may be spent on training and administration.

  • Initial employment is for one year, renewable for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union Representatives

Contact information is available for union representatives and the doctoral section (Students’ union at KTH).

Application

  • Apply through KTH's recruitment system.

  • Ensure the application is complete according to instructions.

  • Deadline: Midnight CET/CEST on the last day of application.

Application must include:

  • CV with relevant experience and knowledge.

  • Application letter (maximum 2 pages) describing research interests, motivation, and relation to previous studies and future goals.

  • Copies of diplomas, grades, and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (certified translations if not in English or Swedish).

  • Representative publications or technical reports (with abstracts or summaries for longer documents).

Other Information

  • KTH emphasizes gender equality, diversity, and equal conditions.

  • Security-sensitive roles may require security clearance under the Protective Security Act (2018:585).

  • KTH does not entertain staffing/recruitment agency contacts.

  • In case of discrepancy, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Type of Employment: Temporary position
Contract Type: Full time
Full-Time Equivalent: 100%
First Day of Employment: According to agreement, earliest January 2026
Salary: Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement, starting 33,000 SEK/month (~2,950 EUR)
Number of Positions: 2
Location: Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Reference Number: PA-2025-3019
Published: 02 Oct 2025
Last Application Date: 01 Dec 2025

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