Join us for an exciting and excellent PhD journey to create the future of maintenance!

Explore the fascinating future of Net Zero industries where complex and highly automated equipment need to operate around the clock. By ensuring the performance, longevity, and circularity of industrial systems such as advanced manufacturing (e.g., automotive and battery) and renewable energy (e.g., energy production and wind power), you will contribute to Sweden’s long-term industrial competitiveness.

We are seeking a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate with a passion for research excellence, an interest in the management of technology, people, and organization, and a desire to make groundbreaking contributions to the field of maintenance engineering.

PhD Project overview

The project focuses on advancing Net Zero industries through new knowledge and solutions in maintenance engineering, such as in the emerging and rapidly scaling battery industry. The position is uniquely open for top talent eager to drive innovative and realistic research ideas that combine high academic excellence with industrial value. Relevant areas include implementing and using new technologies (e.g., digitalization and artificial intelligence), exploring future skills, and optimizing equipment management.

You will work in close collaboration with major industry partners to collect and analyze real-world empirical data using both qualitative and quantitative methods, e.g., case studies, interviews, applied analytics, and field experiments. By developing new theories and applications, you will have the opportunity to solve today’s and tomorrow’s global Net Zero challenges and contribute to minimal downtime, enhanced circularity, and long-term industrial competitiveness.

Information about the Production Systems Division and the IMS department

Chalmers University of Technology is a leading university with high research excellence in the area of industrial digitalization and manufacturing. The Division of Production Systems (PS) is a diverse and inclusive team of 30 cross-disciplinary researchers, PhD students, and support. Our research, education, and innovation are performed both nationally, in Europe, and internationally with strong collaborative networks and advanced research facilities and labs such as Stena Industry Innovation Lab (SII-Lab). Production Systems is one of six divisions within the Department of Industrial and Materials Science (IMS).

The Maintenance Engineering research group is a vibrant, ambitious, and multi-disciplinary team of international researchers driven by the vision to renew the maintenance field in research and practice. Through high quality research in close collaboration with industry, we develop, implement, and evaluate disruptive knowledge and solutions for next-generation maintenance.

Main responsibilities

The aim of your PhD is to develop into a skilled and independent researcher and make contributions to research and industry within the maintenance field. You will work in interdisciplinary research teams, collaborate in national and international networks, and work closely with leading and forward-looking industry partners. Your work will consist of  ≥80% research, including courses required to obtain your PhD, and  ≤ 20% teaching, supervision, and department duties. You are expected to complete your PhD degree in 4 years, this time is normally extended to a maximum of 5 years when 20% of teaching and departmental tasks are included.

Main tasks as a PhD student are to:

• Design and conduct empirical research in collaborative projects with companies
• Publish research results in high-impact scientific journals and conferences
• Teach in courses within the scope of Production Systems
• Develop your teaching, supervision, and mentoring skills while assembling a personal pedagogical portfolio

Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here (https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/doctoral-education/Pages/default.aspx).

The successful candidate fulfills the following requirements:

• Relevant education in, for instance, production engineering, industrial engineering, operations and supply chain management, applied analytics, or industrial economics.
• MSc level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education points with thesis project corresponding to at least half a year of study.
• Familiarity with industrial production and an interest in manufacturing

It is meritorious if you also fulfill the following:

• Relevant knowledge of industrial maintenance
• First-rate oral and written English skills and an interest in writing
• Skills and aptitude for empirical research methodology, including both qualitative and quantitative methods
• Proficiency in Swedish is advantageous due to the empirical nature of the project or at least reached within 2 years after starting the PhD program.

We are looking for you who are independent, self-driven, and analytical, with an ability to manage complex tasks, demonstrate attention to detail in research, and show commitment to producing high-quality research work. With a passion for excellence, you are forward-thinking and dare to creatively propose and test new ideas. Driven by creating lasting impact, you are capable of communicating research and outcomes in a clear and inspiring manner to both academic and industrial audiences.

Contract terms

Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

What we offer

Chalmers provides a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure

Please check application procedure on the ad on Chalmers' webpage.

Deadline for application is the 22th of May 2025 but applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.