KTH in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. No less than one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level is provided by KTH. Education and research spans from natural sciences to all branches of engineering and includes architecture, industrial management and urban planning. There are a total of just over 15,000 first and second level students and more than 1,600 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,300 employees.

The School of Engineering Sciences carries out a wide range of research at the international front line, from fundamental disciplines such as physics and mathematics, to engineering mechanics with applications such as aeronautics and vehicle engineering. We also offer University degree programs in Engineering Physics, Vehicle Engineering, 'Engineering and Education', and 'Open Entrance', as well as a number of International Masters Programmes.

The Centre for ECO² Vehicle Design is situated at the School of Engineering Sciences and performs multi-disciplinary research on vehicle design with regards to competitiveness and environmental effects.  Research is performed in close cooperation with Swedish vehicle industry and the Centre offers a dynamic network within academia as well as towards industry and authorities.

PhD student focusing on the dynamics of lightweight wheel-corner concepts and their integration in future vehicles: Your task will be to analyse innovative vehicle concepts using wheel-corner modules with a focus on vehicle functions, addressing requirements on characteristics such as rolling resistance, tyre/road wear, comfort, handling and safety. Detailed description is given below.

Project Description – dynamics of lightweight wheel-corner concepts and their integration in future vehicles

Do you want to contribute to the development of future vehicles?

Due to the environmental problems that conventional internal combustion engines are causing and the predicted decrease of available oil, electric vehicles have gained considerable interest in recent years. In addition, a reduction in energy consumption for future vehicles is wanted, which can be achieved by making the vehicle lighter.

An innovative concept for the future is a lightweight vehicle with wheel motors and integrated active vehicle suspension. An electric motor at each wheel offers advantages in terms of space, control and efficiency. Furthermore, the wheel corner concept gives the possibility to provide traction, braking and steering at each wheel independently of the other wheels which offers potential to improve vehicle stability, safety and ECO² characteristics.

The research focus is on ECO² design criteria for a lightweight wheel-corner-vehicle concept. That is, how can the wheel corner functionality be utilized to control the suspension, steering, traction and braking in such a way that the compromise between rolling resistance, tire /road wear, comfort, handling and safety can be optimized? The project involves modeling, simulation, experiments and analysis of vehicle dynamic characteristics.

Attention: For this application you need to fill out a compulsory cover sheet which is downloaded mojo.flyg.kth.se/lws/Other/CoversheetPhDECO2lwcc.doc .

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria   

The potential candidate must have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, Engineering Physics or a corresponding degree. Good knowledge in dynamics and mathematics is required. Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and control are an advantage.

The candidate should be highly motivated for doing scientific research, should have well developed analytical and problems solving skills as well as good cooperation and communication skills.

Employment

A PhD assistantship at KTH can extend to up to five (5) years, with about 80% of the time devoted to research and 20% to teaching duties. The salary is set according to the standard agreements for PhD student employment at KTH.

Application

The application must include following documents:

1. Compulsory cover sheet (download from mojo.flyg.kth.se/lws/Other/CoversheetPhDECO2lwcc.doc )
2. CV (maximum 2 pages) including education and relevant academic/work experience
3. Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
4. Official record of transcripts and copy of degree certificate

Deadline for application is 12 March 2012
Employer’s reference: S-2012-0247

Applications should be emailed to ihallon@kth.se . Above described documents should be attached as word or pdf files. Please put the Employer’s reference number in the subject line.

Contact

Jenny Jerrelind, Assistant professor 
Phone: +46 8 702 25 44 52
jennyj@kth.se

Annika Stensson Trigell, Professor
+46 8 702 83 35 87
annika@kth.se

Union representative

Lars Abrahamsson, SACO
Phone: +46 8 790 7058 
lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se