Postdoctoral position in Computational Design Optimization for Wave Propagation Problems - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Computing Science invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow in the field of Computational Design Optimization for Wave Propagation Problems. The employment is full-time for two years starting 2023-06-01 or by agreement.

Department of Computing Science 

The Department of Computing Science is characterized by world-leading research in a multitude of scientific fields. The department has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a focus on creating an inclusive and bottom-up-driven research environment. Our workplace consists of a diverse set of people from different nationalities, background, and fields. If you work as a post doctor with us, you receive the benefits of support in career development, networking, administrative, and technical support functions, along with good employment conditions. More information about the department is available at:

https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

The research group on computational design optimization investigates the use of numerical simulations—typically finite-element or finite-difference methods—combined with optimization algorithms to carry out engineering design of various devices. Elastic structures, antennas, microwave devices, and loudspeaker components are examples of devices that we have designed using such tools. The design optimization group has for many years pushed the boundaries of the research field in a multifaceted way through theoretical investigations, methods development, as well as new applications in cooperation with academic and industrial partners. The group’s research has advanced the field, particularly concerning the design of devices involved in acoustics and electromagnetics. The group connects researchers from Umeå University, Karlstad University, and Skogforsk. For examples of the group’s publication output, see https://www.umu.se/forskning/grupper/design-optimization/ 

Is this interesting for you? Welcome with your application before 2023-04-30

Project description and working tasks 

The project centers around the development of optimization methods for the design of devices where wave propagation effects are crucial for performance. Based on the applicant’s background, interest, and skills, the research can be directed in various ways, involving acoustic as well as electromagnetic wave propagation. Of current interest for acoustics is the design of devices in the context of significant loss effects, for instance so-called acoustic black holes or small-size acoustic devices such as MEMS microphones and micro loudspeakers. Of interest for electromagnetics is components to enable efficient radar technologies for monitoring or imaging targets embedded in lossy media. Ground penetrating radars (GPRs) and radars for vital signs monitoring of humans are examples of how such technologies can be applied. 

A major part of the research will involve fundamental methods development. Thus, considerable focus will be given to the development of accurate and efficient mathematical models and optimization schemes as well as to efficient implementation of the methods in appropriate software.

The workplace is at the UMIT research lab, a multidisciplinary research environment at Umeå university, and the position carries great potential for collaborations with academic and industrial partners. The position is nominally 100% research, but with possible teaching assignments that can be arranged upon agreement. The project is partly funded by the strategic collaborative research program eSSENCE (http://essenceofescience.se). 

Qualifications 

Required qualifications: 

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

Specifically, the applicant should have experience with modeling and numerical methods in relevant fields, preferably in acoustics or electromagnetics. The applicant should also have good analytical and programming skills and be able to take initiative and work independently. 

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. The applicant must be able to work in close collaborations and be encouraged to actively develop new lines of research in the field.

Other desirable qualifications: 

Experience in gradient-based optimization methods is desirable.  

Application 

A full application should include:

• Cover letter introducing yourself, your previous research, your interest in the position, and you may also write something about your future professional goals,
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
• Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
• Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 2 relevant articles,
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim,
• Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 2023-04-30

For further details, contact Martin Berggren, martin.berggren@cs.umu.se, +46 70 732 8111