Doctoral student in experimental fluid mechanics and complex films

Third-cycle subject: Engineering Mechanics

FLOW is a strong community of researchers engaged in fundamental and applied research in fluid mechanics within the department of Engineering Mechanics.

Reference number: PA-2026-2836.

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Engineering Mechanics

FLOW is a strong community of researchers engaged in fundamental and applied research in fluid mechanics within the department of Engineering Mechanics.

We are currently seeking an experimental PhD student in fluid mechanics to join the Fluids and Surfaces Group within FLOW. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated candidate to contribute to a cutting-edge research program funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR).

The project aims to uncover how complex films, including biological and living films, interact with surrounding fluid flows. Such films are ubiquitous in nature and technological applications, ranging from mucus in the lungs to biofilms on medical devices and ship hulls. When exposed to shear and potentially unsteady flows, these films can deform into complex shapes, exhibit unusual material properties, and evolve over time, thereby creating a dynamic and continuously changing boundary for the flow. At the same time, the films modify the overlying flow, potentially altering frictional resistance as well as the transport and exchange of species.

Despite their importance, the coupled interaction between complex films and fluid flows remains poorly understood. This limits our ability to predict and control these systems and poses major challenges across medical, industrial, and geophysical applications.

In this project, the PhD student will work with and further develop a unique experimental platform for studying complex films under controlled, yet complex, flow conditions. The experimental work will be complemented by continuum modeling of complex materials, data-driven methods, and computational fluid dynamics.

Supervision: Shervin Bagheri is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

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 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

In order 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 upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach,
• analyze and work with complex issues and
• experience of experimental fluid mechanics.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

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 be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. 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 be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.

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 include the following elements

• 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.
• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other information

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

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Contract details

• Salary: Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
• Number of positions: 1
• First day of employment: According to agreement
• Location: Stockholm, Sweden
• Contact: Shervin Bagheri (sherwinb@kth.se)

Apply via the official KTH vacancy page. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email are typically not considered unless the vacancy states otherwise.

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 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.