Master Thesis Project(s) on Circularity Study to minimize CO2 Footprint

Thesis Worker at Volvo Cars 
Welcome to explore the world of Volvo Cars by writing your thesis with us! As a thesis worker in our organization you are supported by a supervisor who follows you during your project. All thesis projects are arranged in business critical areas and therefore you will be able to contribute to our company purpose – providing freedom to move in a safe, sustainable and personal way – from day one!
 

About this opportunity - Background
Looking for a master piece for your master thesis project? Innovation starts with being curious. At Volvo Cars, we believe that being curious and truly committed to understanding people is the key to future success. We are people who care about other people, working together to create new technologies and innovations for safe, sustainable and convenient mobility. Want to join us as a Master Thesis student?

We are looking for driven and motivated students interested in pursuing their master thesis within Vehicle Tophat development during the spring term 2025.

At Volvo Cars, we do not only protect people in and around our cars. We also work hard to protect the planet we live on. We commit to the highest standard of sustainability in mobility to protect the world we all share. We want to keep the world around our cars as safe as the people in them. Our ambition is by 2025 to reduce lifecycle emissions per car by 30-35 per cent; then to reduce lifecycle emissions per car by 65-75 per cent by 2030 (2018 baseline).
 

Vehicle Tophat (one of the engineering organizations at Volvo Cars) aims to develop the most sustainable and safe Tophat solutions to provide freedom to move in a changing society. The customer value is optimized through attractive designs utilizing new technology trends. Speed to market is important in every aspect of what we do. And we attract and develop talents in a global competitive world, creating an open and transparent environment with a collaborative mindset. Within our team of over 800 engineers at Vehicle Tophat, we are offering a broad range of master thesis projects. The projects listed below are within the domain of performing a circularity study to minimize the CO2 footprint of materials we use in our vehicles. 
 

What you will bring
We are looking for candidates with excellent academic records who are open, innovative, driven and team-players. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of our work, we are extending our search to a broad range of competences. If you think that you have what it takes to help us in our journey to deliver a safe, human-centric technology, read below on what we do & the various areas we can offer the thesis work in! 

Note: Following are the various thesis projects we have currently on offer within Circularity Study research areas. Please specify in your application cover letter the project(s) of your interest. Please go through the ‘Application and Contact’ section thoroughly before sending your application. 

Scope of the thesis work

Project #1: Recycling of post-industrial raw material
Background: Current production of door panels creates an excess of plastic materials mixed with natural fibers. The scrap material goes to incineration or landfill. Approximate 40% of the prime material goes to scrap.
Objective: Recycle the post-industrial scrap material and compound new plastic material mixed with prime material. In corporation with tier 1 supplier and raw material supplier. Process trials and TR-testing. Look for suitable applications within automotive or other.
 

Project #2: Maximum percent of recycled PP in an interior hard trim panel
Background: To minimize the CO2 footprint, we want to use as high amount of percentage of recycled material as possible in our hard trim polypropylene (PP) panels and still fulfill technical requirements.
Objectives: Understand the max limit of post-industrial recycled (PIR) or post-consumer recycled (PCR) material possible to pass hard trim technical requirement and development verification testing.
Scope: Cooperate with VCC, supplier, compounder to produce parts and perform testing of parts according to TR and DV. How big is the feedstock for PIR and PCR? How degenerated is the material at the end of life? How to secure quality of properties from batch to batch?
 

Project #3: Circularity study of an interior hard trim panel
Background: To minimize the CO2 footprint, we want to prepare for a circular closed loop for material and components.
Objective: What is required of the component to enable circularity? How is the flow for ELV plastic, how is the cost breakdown and what process steps are driving cost? What is kg price for a PP including 25% PCR where 1/4 of content is from ELV? What activities are made and is needed to be done from our plastic suppliers to ensure the ELV directive? What traceability is needed to ensure maximum usage from a ELV grade?
Scope: Study the questions above for a sill molding/tailgate and an A-pillar upper.

Project #4: LCA study of conventional vs PIP Seats headrests.
Background: We use pour in place process in seating headrests to achieve low weight and lower part price. This means that all ingoing material are stuck to each other by the PUR foam and not possible to separate at end of life. We would like to understand the CO2 impact of conventional vs PIP headrests, from a circular perspective. 
Objective: To understand the CO2 delta due to difference in material setup, weight, process and MVR. To understand if conventional headrest could contribute to the ELV directive (circularity).  
Scope: To perform a LCA study from cradle to grave for conventional vs PIP headrests. 
 

Duration

Does this sound like your next challenge? Below are some practicalities you need to be aware of: 

• Tentative proposed thesis work period: 20th January 2025 to 27th of June 2025 (dates can be flexible with +/- 7 days)
•  Academic credits: equivalent to 30 ECTS 
• Number of students: 1-2 students per project (2 preferred)
• Please submit both applicants’ Cover Letters and CVs as part of one application (Note: One candidate can create the profile on the career portal and submit a joint Cover Letter/CV on behalf of other candidate)

Note: The thesis work will be carried out at the Volvo Cars Torslanda premises with a hybrid way-of-working. 

Welcome with your application by submitting your resume, cover letter (including which project(s) you would like to work and why) and grades/transcripts via the link below no later than 30th October 2024. We will be continuously reviewing the applications and selecting the candidates, so apply as early as you can!
 

Note that we do not accept any applications via e-mail. If you have any questions regarding the position, you are welcome to contact. For questions about the recruitment process, please contact:

Project #1: Carolina Öfverholm, carolina.ofverholm@volvocars.com 
Project #2&3: Hanna Ahlström, hanna.ahlstrom@volvocars.com 
Project #4: Frida Hellberg, frida.hellberg@volvocars.com 

Volvo Cars - Driving change together
Volvo Cars’ success is the result of a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive working environment. Today, we are one of the most well-known and respected car brands, with around 43,000 employees across the globe. At Volvo Cars, your career is designed around your skills and aspirations, allowing you to reach your fullest potential.