OpenFieldUniversity West PhD Employment in Production Technology (Fully Salaried)
Four-year salaried doctoral appointment based at the Production Technology Centre (PTC) conducting experimental research in aerospace metallurgy and laser metal deposition.
University West: Work-Integrated Learning, Thermal Spraying & Robot Automation
University West (Högskolan Väst) is Sweden's government-designated premier university for Work-Integrated Learning (AIL). Located in Trollhättan near Gothenburg, it hosts the world-class Production Technology Centre (PTC) specializing in additive manufacturing, thermal spraying, and robotic welding alongside GKN Aerospace and Volvo.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship for Global Professionals at University West
Prestigious Swedish government scholarship funding international master's students demonstrating leadership and commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda.
Master of Science in Robotics & Automation (Work-Integrated Learning)
Two-year master's taught in English featuring extensive laboratory projects at the PTC on industrial robot programming, machine vision, and digital twin simulation.
Production Technology Centre (PTC) Additive Manufacturing Research Assistantship
Collaborative research project alongside GKN Aerospace evaluating microstructure evolution and residual stress in wire-feed additive manufacturing of superalloys.
GKN Aerospace & Volvo Trucks Industrial Work-Integrated Learning Internship
Work-Integrated Learning (AIL) industrial thesis placement integrated inside aerospace and heavy vehicle plants in Trollhättan and Gothenburg.
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Thermal Spray Coatings & High-Temperature Materials
Two-year postdoctoral position examining suspension plasma spray (SPS) thermal barrier coatings for next-generation hydrogen and aviation gas turbines.
Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering with Specialization in Digital Twins
One-year or two-year advanced degree focused on smart factory architectures, virtual commissioning, digital twins, and industrial IoT integration.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) with at least 90 ECTS in a relevant engineering, IT, or business subject area via Universityadmissions.se.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Master's degree (minimum 240 ECTS with 60 ECTS at advanced level) with a completed scientific degree project.
- Language proficiency
- English 6 / English B (IELTS 6.5 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 90 with minimum 20 in writing).
- Research statement / Proposal
- For doctoral positions (fully salaried PhD employment): CV, publication sample, and research motivation addressing the advertised project.
- Application fee
- 900 SEK application fee paid via Universityadmissions.se (EU/EEA students exempt).
- Required documentation
- Certified bachelor's degree diploma, complete transcripts of records, proof of English, and copy of passport.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Tuition is free for Swedish, EU/EEA, and Swiss citizens. For non-EU/EEA students, master's tuition is approximately 130,000 to 145,000 SEK per year. All PhD candidates are employed as university staff on full monthly salaries (starting at ~31,000 SEK/month), paying zero tuition fees.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at University West:
Dr. Per Nylén
Professor of Production Technology & Head of Department · Thermal Spraying, Surface Engineering, Thermal Barrier Coatings, Process Diagnostics
Dr. Anna-Karin Christiansson
Professor of Automatic Control & Industrial Robotics · Sensor Fusion, Robot Control, Process Monitoring, Non-Destructive Testing
Dr. Mohit Gupta
Professor of Materials Engineering & Thermal Spray Technology · Suspension Plasma Spray, Ceramic Coatings, High-Temperature Wear, Environmental Barrier Coatings
Important verification note
Facts reflect official University West documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue