PhD Candidate in Systems Engineering with a Focus on Self-Learning Decision Support Systems

Blekinge Institute of Technology is a place for curiosity and ingenuity, located in the heart of the Blekinge archipelago. We offer education from undergraduate to doctoral level and conduct world-class applied research. We make a difference. Do you want to be one of us?

The research will be conducted at the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Blekinge Institute of Technology. We offer education and research in systems engineering, electrical engineering, marine technology, statistics, mathematics, and physics. The research in systems engineering is applied and closely linked to statistics and applied mathematical modeling. The department has a long-standing collaboration in the traffic and transport sector and has been an active participant in national and international projects. Our research portfolio includes close collaboration with the Swedish Transport Administration and the industry program Capacity in Railway Traffic (KAJT), where universities and colleges work together to develop methodologies, mathematical and statistical models that describe how trains can be rescheduled and minimize delays that occur.

Job Description

The PhD candidate will conduct research within the field of systems engineering, focusing on the development of self-learning decision support systems for efficient resource utilization and planning. The candidate will have an individual study plan in the subject of systems engineering.

As part of the employment, teaching (up to 20%) at basic and advanced levels is included. Regulations and benefits for PhD candidates in Sweden apply to this position.

About the Research Focus

The need for self-learning and decision-supporting systems is important in today's society in many different contexts. Planning and controlling resource utilization often involves multifaceted and complex problems, especially when decisions must be made in real-time and there are stochastic factors affecting the system. Blekinge Institute of Technology has conducted research in the transport field for many years across several domains.

We are now expanding our group of researchers working on the development of decision support systems and efficient resource management for railway traffic. We are looking for a curious, engaged person who has the ability, interest, and drive to learn to describe, analyze, and solve relevant, complex problems both independently and in collaboration with a team of other researchers.

The PhD candidate will work on and be associated with ongoing larger external research projects together with other universities, companies, and authorities.

Eligibility Requirements

To be employed as a PhD candidate, the applicant must be or will be admitted to doctoral education.

Eligible for admission to doctoral education is someone who has obtained a master's degree, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, or in another way acquired equivalent knowledge (Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 7, § 39).

Specific Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must have a master's degree in statistics, mathematical statistics, or equivalent.

Meritorious Qualifications

• Good knowledge of time series models and regression models.
• Experience in model derivation (maximum likelihood-based methods) and scientific programming is meritorious.
• Experience in statistical applications within industry, within and/or outside the railway sector, is an asset.
• Good ability to express oneself in writing and orally in English.
• Ability to work both independently and in a group.

Security-Related Requirements

The position may be subject to assessment for eligibility to work with security-classified tasks and possible security clearance by an external party.

Work Location

Karlskrona.

Work Scope

100%.

Start Date

By agreement.

Duration

Fixed-term employment for up to 4 years for research. The position may include up to 20% other duties, e.g., teaching, in which case the employment period can be extended to a maximum of 5 years.

Salary

A unified salary scale applies for the university's PhD candidates, meaning that the salary is adjusted in line with progress made in the education.

Application Deadline

Welcome with your application by 2026-01-15.

Your application should include the following:

• A description of your background, knowledge, and experience in the relevant area(s) for the position.
• A CV.
• Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas.
• The earliest date you can start working.
• Any attachments with relevant publications (if applicable).
• Any link to your thesis (latest/highest degree).

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Instructions for applicants can be found at https://www.bth.se/om-bth/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb (https://www.bth.se/om-bth/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb). As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the advertisement and instructions.

BTH welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We actively work to harness the qualities that diversity and gender balance bring to the organization.

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