In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.The research subject Machine Elements belongs to the Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics (TVM) at Luleå University of Technology (LTU). The research within the field of Machine Elements is mainly focused on tribology and its applications. The research group consists of more than 30 researchers and doctoral students and is one of the leading tribology research groups in Europe. Activities include many aspects of tribology, e.g. materials tribology, lubrication and lubricants, condition monitoring, biotribology, computational tribology and machine component tribology. The research is both of fundamental and applied in nature and is often carried out in close cooperation with Swedish and international industry.The group is responsible for theoretical and project courses taught in the university's Master of Science, Bachelor of Science and Master's programs. Most of the teaching is within the Mechanical Engineering program and the Erasmus Mundus Masters program in tribology (TRIBOS).See the group’s webpage on We are currently seeking a PhD-student that can help us to further develop research within the field of Machine Elements.Subject descriptionMachine Elements comprises the analysis and optimization of machine components and component systems to enhance performance, longevity, energy-efficiency and reliability and to reduce environmental impact. Particular emphasis is placed on issues in the field of tribology.Project descriptionThe project is about optimizing mechanical/lubrication systems for fossil free and greenlubricants. As we know the current mechanical components are heavily relying on fossil-based lubricants lubrication, which have been continuously developed and optimized during the past a couple of hundred years. It is not fair to ask the newly existing fossil free and green lubricants to perform the same as or better than previous fossil-based lubricants in the mechanical systems without any system change.The PhD studies are 4 year, fulltime. Administration and/or teaching up to maximum 20% may be added. QualificationsApplicants must have a master’s degree in science or engineering (Materials science, mechanical engineering, etc.), or equivalent. Good skills in oral and written communication in English is also a requirement.The following selection criteria apply:Background relevant to the project in question,The quality of the applicant’s master thesis,Personal qualities relevant to research educationGiven that the qualifications are equal, the underrepresented gender will be given priority in this recruitment.