Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Specialising in Applied Mechanics

Description 

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology is now accepting applications for the position of Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in Applied Mechanics. The vacancy is at the Department of Engineering and Physics, which is characterised bu a friendly, inspiring and international atmosphere, with a large number of employees from all over the world. Mechanical and Materials Engineering is one of three subjects at the department, which employs approximately 60 people - of which 11 are professors. We offer PhD programmes in materials engineering and physics; master´s programmes in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering and management, and engineering physics; and bachelor´s programmes in mechanical engineering, innovation and design engineering, and electrical engineering. 

The department has a strong research activity in the fields of mechanical engineering and materials engineering. The mechanical engineering research is focused on applied mechanics, such as solid mechanics, FEM and fracture mechanics related to various types of material. The materials engineering research is focused on advanced steels, fatigue, tribology and additive manufacturing. A large portion of the research is conducted in collaboration with industrial partners. The department also conducts extensive research in materials physics. Researchers in materials physics and mechanical and materials engineering are part of a large research group focused on materials research. This research group is prioritised by the faculty.

Duties

Main duties are:

• Teaching courses in our engineering programmes.
• Developing, leading and participating in applied mechanics research projects, including applying for research funding.
• Cooperate at both national and international level on research and education.
• Participate in supervision of doctoral students.
• Collaborate with the wider community and the private sector.
• Create, develop and review degree programmes and courses.

Teaching includes mechanical engineering courses on both bachelor’s and master’s levels, primarily in mechanics, solid mechanics, machine dynamics, FEM and materials mechanics. Teaching other courses may also be required.

Research is based on the researcher’s academic expertise, in collaboration with the other researchers at the department, and shall aim to reinforce the department’s research on applied mechanics. The research should also support the materials engineering research, especially within the fields of fatigue and fracture mechanics.

Administrative duties are also required, in the form of course and research administration.

As senior lecturer, you are also expected to collaborate with the wider community for a mutual exchange of ideas, as well as work towards ensuring that the knowledge and expertise available at the university is of benefit to society. In order to contribute to a positive working environment and help further the subject’s activities, it is important that you are present at the workplace and participate in the daily activities at the department.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, applicants are required have demonstrated teaching expertise. Applicants are also required to hold a Degree of Doctor or equivalent academic expertise in mechanical engineering or a closely related field.

Excellent command of written and spoken English is also a requirement. As a lecturer at Karlstad University, you should be able to teach in both English and Swedish. An applicant who does not meet the requirement of proficiency in Swedish may still be hired provided they are able to actively acquire the language skills.

Pursuant to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure, teachers must have the personal qualities required to perform the duties included, as well as completed training in higher education pedagogy. Candidates who have not completed courses in higher education pedagogy may still be hired, provided that they use the time allotted to continual professional development to complete the required courses within two years of employment, or that they apply for validation of prior learning.

For other qualification requirements, refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure https://www.kau.se/files/2023-12/Appointments procedure_eng_20220928.pdf

Assessment criteria

In the assessment, equal weight will be given to research and teaching expertise.

Special weight will be afforded demonstrated skills and experience of:

• Independently and in collaboration with others, develop and implement research activities in applied mechanics.
• Successfully apply for external research funding
• Teach courses in applied mechanics, such as mechanics, solid mechanics, machine dynamics, FEM, materials mechanics and fracture mechanics, and assess student performances in said courses.

Considerable weight will be afforded:

• Demonstrated skills to supervise PhD students
• Personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, take responsibility, and that you can take initiative and are goal oriented, as well as being committed and having a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.
• International work experience or experience in national and international networks, such as a postdoc position.

Valuable qualifications are:

• Experience in industrial research and development.
• Experience in research on fatigue and fracture mechanics, including practical testing.
• Interests and insights regarding education development within the field, as well as experience in course development within the field of mechanical engineering.
• Experience from academic fiduciary duties.
• Documented and current experience of collaborating with the wider community, both in relation to research and education, and of communicating and disseminating research findings and development efforts.
• Teaching awards.

Terms

This is a permanent, full-time position starting 1 August 2024, or at another agreed-upon date.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, refer to What should be included with my application?  Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• CV
• cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and research interests in relation to the duties of the position
• an in-depth account of teaching experience
• certificate to verify completed courses in higher education pedagogy or an account of equivalent skills
• an in-depth account of research experience
• an account of other experiences of importance
• an account of managerial and administrative experience
• plans for future work
• an account of collaborations, international network experience, etc.
• a list of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• information about language skills
• copy of PhD degree certificate or documented equivalent academic expertise
• no more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programs for teaching, or popular science articles
• two references, at least one of which is a current or former manager

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
Hanna Ljungdahl
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 22 January 2024                                  

State the reference no: REK2023/289

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.