Open International Scholarships

The Materials Research Department at Risø National Laboratory, Denmark, seeks candidates for a PhD position to explore novel microcomponent joining methods that take advantage of the special properties of metallic glasses.

Job Description
The PhD project will explore methods for joining metallic microcomponents. Such microcomponents are used for electrical contacts and for their wear, corrosion resistant and high-strength characteristics in a wide variety of consumer electronics, medical instrumentation and other applications. Integrating microcomponents into functional assemblies is a challenge for traditional soldering and mechanical interlocking methods. The project seeks to develop novel joining methods that take advantage of the special properties of metallic glasses. The project will involve developing tooling and methods to fabricate test joints that use metallic glass as the bonding agent, evaluation of the joint quality, and systematic exploration of the effects of process parameters on the performance of the joints. The project is envisioned to involve 2 phases. An initial phase will examine several potential joining methods; a later phase will develop a more profound understanding of the method identified as the most promising. The project will involve fabrication of test joints, testing of joint properties, examination of joint features using microscopy techniques, and numerical modeling of thermal and material flow. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Management, Technical University of Denmark.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, physics or equivalent
• Ability to work on both practical and theoretical aspects of research problems
• Experience with materials synthesis and analysis and/or joining methods will be an advantage
• Good abilities for communicating in English
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for progress and quality of projects.

Terms of employment
You will be employed in accordance with the terms valid for scientific staff at Risø National Laboratory. The period of employment is three years.

Application
If you are interested in the position, you should send your application, including CV, list of publications, copies of diplomas, and recommendations, marked “PhD 44-07” to:
Risø National Laboratory
Materials Research Department
Att.: Eva Nielsen “PhD 44-07”
P.O. Box 49
DK-4000 Roskilde
Denmark

You are welcome to send your application by e-mail to eva.m.nielsen@risoe.dk
The deadline for the application is 23 April 2007.
Risø requires variety and supports equal opportunities irrespective of sex and ethnic background.

Further information
You are welcome to contact Research
Professor
John Wert,
+ 45 4677 5824.

Category: Denmark, Postgraduate-PhD