EU MSCA doctoral (PhD) position in Materials Engineering with focus on mechanistic study of biodegradation of additively manufactured Mg and Zn alloys under mechanical load

Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH

Your tasks

You focus on developing your PhD project Mechano-corrosive properties of PBF‑LB manufactured biodegradable Mg and Zn alloys. A combination of dynamic mechanical loading and corrosive environment is imposed on a metallic device upon implantation. While the influence of both factors is typically studied and tested separately, their inevitable combination at implantation site may lead to unexpected and premature implant failure due to stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue and tribo-corrosion. Understanding cooperative effects of mechanically assisted corrosion of the Mg and Zn alloys (additively manufactured at Uppsala University) will be the focus of this PhD project. The objectives of this work are to optimize an experimental setup for simultaneous tension/compression testing and localized corrosion measurements, including monitoring of local pH and dissolved hydrogen and oxygen concentrations at metal-electrolyte interface; gain understanding of the factors influencing the initiation and propagation of localized corrosion and associated mechanically assisted corrosion. Research stays are planned at: Uppsala Universitet, Sweden, and Quintus Technologies AB, Västerås, Sweden Supervisors: Dr. Sviatlana Lamaka, Prof. Cecilia Persson, Prof. Mikhail Zheludkevich https://www.hereon.de/institutes/surface_science/index.php.en
https://www.uu.se/​institution/​materialvetenskap/​forskning/​forskningsavdelningar/​medicinsk-teknik/​biomaterial-systems

Your profile

To be eligible as an MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) doctoral candidate, you must i) not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment, ii) not be enrolled in a doctoral program, and iii) comply with a mobility rule requiring you to not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (Germany) for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment (i.e. this includes online activities). Requirements:
Master’s degree and documented experience and knowledge in either of the following: materials science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering, engineering physics, or a related field, or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications. We require good oral and written skills in English. Additional qualifications:
It is advantageous to have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Corrosion characterization
• Mechanical testing
• Local electrochemistry (e.g. SECM)
• Surface characterization
• Additive manufacturing of metals

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have a good ability to work towards set goals and you work focused to achieve them. In this, you have an ability to focus, even during periods of high workload. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text. Your application must include:

• A short cover letter (up to 1 page) in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades.
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to.
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons, who have accepted to be references for you. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

The application should be written in English.

We offer you

PhD students employed through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Curie regulations for doctoral candidates for the time of their fellowship (36 months). Taking into account the living allowance (with the coefficient of 101.2% for Germany), mobility and family allowances (when eligible) and subtracting the employer contributions, the gross salary in Germany is 3719.13 eur/month (or 4233.93 eur/month with family allowance if eligible). Social security contributions and income tax will be deducted from this gross salary before payment of the net salary to the doctoral candidate. This employment is a temporary position. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date March 1st, 2026 or as agreed upon. Placement: Geesthacht (near Hamburg), Germany. For further information about the position, please contact: Sviatlana Lamaka, +49 41 52 87 2190

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.