PhD Position in Packaging Logistics with Focus on Trade and Logistics

The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, and Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, announce a joint recruitment for a PhD position in packaging logistics with a focus on trade and logistics.

About VTI

The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, is a government agency conducting applied research and qualified investigations in the transport sector. We have approximately 250 employees and an annual turnover of around 300 million SEK. The main office is located in Linköping, while other offices are in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Lund. We are now seeking an additional employee for the Traffic Analysis and Logistics unit, which has about 35 employees and works with applied and socially motivated research as well as qualified investigations in logistics, transport, energy supply, digitalization, and traffic systems. The focus is on developing knowledge and models that enable more reliable decision-making. This is to meet goals in areas such as efficiency, accessibility, mobility, environment, energy supply, resilience, and safety. Traffic Analysis and Logistics | VTI

The position will be based in Lund.

You will be employed 50% at the Traffic Analysis and Logistics unit, TAL, at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, and 50% at the Packaging Logistics department at the Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Lund University. You will be admitted to the PhD program at LTH at 100%. PLEASE NOTE that this position is a joint recruitment with LTH and applications are required for both organizations. Application links for both organizations are provided at the end of this announcement.

About LTH

LTH offers a stimulating and international environment with PhD students, postdocs, senior researchers, and professors from various parts of the world. Research, innovation, and education are conducted in an open and creative climate that promotes collaboration both within academia and with industry partners. A PhD provides an excellent foundation for an exciting career in academia or industry.

The PhD position is funded under the Triple F program (Fossil Free Freight). Triple F is the Swedish Transport Administration's research and innovation initiative aimed at contributing to the transition of the Swedish freight transport system to fossil-free solutions (https://triplef.lindholmen.se/ (https://triplef.lindholmen.se/)). The project is carried out in collaboration between the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and Lund University, with supervision from both parties. The PhD candidate will be based in Lund but will spend half of the time with each party, i.e., VTI and Lund University.

About the Role

Packaging logistics is a multidisciplinary research subject that integrates and develops logistics and packaging. Packaging logistics applies various theoretical knowledge areas and methods to explore, explain, and improve the efficient and sustainable use of resources through supply chains. Research in packaging logistics contributes to sustainable development by integrating packaging with logistics, innovation, and product development in the fields of technology, economics, and environment.

The PhD project you will work on addresses the management of returns in e-commerce. For further description of the position, see the full announcement here: LINK (LINK)

A PhD position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a PhD student, you will be trained in scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and at national and international conferences. You will also take mandatory and elective PhD courses. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to experience a teaching role. As a researcher, you will work as a neutral party in many contexts, providing a fantastic opportunity to learn how to drive challenging development projects. Your work will encompass theoretical models and simulations, but some practical measurements may also be included.

About You

To apply for this position, you need to meet the basic eligibility requirements for doctoral education and specific eligibility for the doctoral subject of packaging logistics. For information on eligibility and assessment criteria, see the announcement at: LTH (LTH)

The tasks involve contacts with clients, partners, and other researchers. Therefore, good collaboration skills are required. The tasks require grounding in theory and methodology, and you should be able to independently compile, analyze, and present material. We place great emphasis on your ability to take initiative, be creative, and work independently. Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English is a requirement.

Appointment Duration

In this announcement, only those who are admitted to doctoral education at LTH can be employed as PhD candidates. The doctoral education is four years for full-time studies. If teaching and other institutional/institute work is involved, the employment will be extended accordingly, but no longer than 5 years (i.e., max 20%). Annual evaluation of doctoral education is conducted, and the position will be extended if studies progress according to plan. For more information about doctoral education at LTH, see: Doctoral Education | LTH (Doctoral%20Education%20%7C%20LTH)

The planned start date is August 2025.

More Information

Information on how VTI handles your personal data can be read at Personal Data - vti.se (Personal%20Data%20-%20vti.se)

We kindly decline all offers of advertising or recruitment assistance in connection with this recruitment.

Ref. no: 2025/0102-3.1

Application

Welcome to submit your application by April 25, including a personal letter, CV, degree certificate, and transcripts and other documents you wish to submit. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. PLEASE NOTE that this position is a joint recruitment with LTH and applications are required for both organizations. Applications to LTH can be made here: LTH (LTH)