Master's Thesis Exploring Direct Screw Fastening of Plastic Panels to Vehicle Chassis
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30+ days ago
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Job Summary
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. Through your thesis work 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
At Vehicle Engineering our responsibility spans the entire chassis interior climate body & exterior functions mechanical Integration and a range of vehicle attributes with impact on design and customer experience of our complete product. Across these domains and all development cycles we will lead an effective delivery operation on a complete level in close sync with other Engineering units functions and stakeholders across the company.
This thesis work is within the area of Team Compartment Trim at Interior Trim & Materials.
Interior vehicle panels often made from polypropylene (PP) or PC-ABS serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Traditionally these panels are mounted using clips screws or hybrid fastening methods. However with increasing demands for cost efficiency environmental sustainability and weight reduction there is a growing interest in simplifying the design by fastening plastic panels directly to the chassis using screws.
This raises several questions:
How much torque can be applied without damaging the plastic
How does plastic behave over time under stress temperature and humidity
What is the optimal design of the screw interface in the plastic
Objective:
The aim of this thesis is to explore the feasibility of direct screw fastening between plastic panels and the vehicle chassis. The focus will be on:
Defining force transmission through the joint (screw plastic chassis nut)
Determining suitable torque levels for different plastic types
Designing an optimal screw interface in the plastic
Evaluating long-term performance under environmental stress
Scope of the thesis work
The thesis will include:
Material analysis of common plastics (PP PC-ABS) and their mechanical properties
Simulation and/or virtual testing of screw joints between plastic panels and the chassis
Identification of relevant load cases and force distribution
Virtual evaluation of long-term durability and environmental impact
Recommendations for design and fastening strategy
What youll bring
Were looking for a student with knowledge in plastics and plastic design ideally studying mechanical engineering materials science or product development. You should be comfortable working theoretically including CAE and 3D modeling to evaluate designs etc. Collaboration will be key youll work with e.g. engineering teams materials labs CAE departments and plastic suppliers throughout the project.
Duration
Tentative proposed thesis work period: 19th January 2026 to 26th of June 2026 (dates can be flexible with /- 7 days)
Academic credits: equivalent to 30 ECTS
Number of students: 2 students per project
Volvo Cars. For Life.
For nearly a century Volvo Cars has empowered people to move freely in a personal sustainable and safe way. Today we are driving bold advancements in electrification sustainability and automotive safety. To realise our ambitious vision we are seeking innovative minds who are ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow today.
At Volvo Cars we believe extraordinary things are achieved by ordinary people with a passion for making a difference. If youre inspired by the opportunity to help redefine the future of mobility we invite you to be part of our journey.
Ready to take the next step
Applications should include your CV and a brief personal letter stating your interests within the given area and your thoughts and credentials. Submit your CV in English.
If you are 2 students submitting as a pair you can combine your CVs into one PDF and submit a joint Cover Letter.
Applications must be received no later than 30th October 2025. We are prioritising direct applications to ensure a fair and efficient application process.
For questions regarding the recruitment process please contact Siddhant Gupta at
For specific questions about the position please reach out to the Hiring Manager:Hanna Ahlström at
Welcome with your application!
Key Skills
- Practice Management
- Direct Sales
- Go
- Primary Care Experience
- Office Experience
- Suturing
- Dermal Fillers
- Experience Administering Injections
- Pharmacy Residency
- Outside Sales
- Botox Experience
- Esthetic Laser Treatment
About Company
Volvo Car USA is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group of Gothenburg, Sweden and is headquartered in Rockleigh, NJ, with regional sales offices located in Rockleigh, Summerville, SC, and Irvine, CA. In addition, Volvo Car US Operations, the home of our new US factory, is located in South Ca ... View more
