PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering and Product Development

Blekinge Institute of Technology is a place for curiosity and ingenuity, located in the heart of the Blekinge archipelago. Here, 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?

Job Description

The PhD positions are linked to our research in mechanical engineering and product development, where several externally funded research projects are conducted in close collaboration with industry, public actors, and international partners. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the development of this research, including participating in ongoing and future research projects where research questions, empirical studies, and method development are shaped by real challenges in various application areas.

The research focuses on strengthening product and production development processes as well as decision-making in the development/operation of complex technical systems through a model-based approach, i.e., a combination of simulation and data-driven methods and tools, where data analysis and machine learning are key components. Special emphasis is placed on developing generalizable knowledge, methods, and tools that can be applied in various contexts, including civilian, industrial, and defense-related (dual-use) applications.

Job responsibilities include conducting research, collecting and analyzing data from multiple project contexts, developing and evaluating methods and tools, writing scientific publications, and disseminating results in academic, industrial, and societal forums. The position involves close collaboration with researchers, PhD candidates, and external actors, and requires the ability to balance depth in specific studies with breadth across the research portfolio.

Rules and benefits for PhD candidates in Sweden apply to this position. The PhD candidate will develop an individual study plan in mechanical engineering together with their supervisors. The position may include up to 20% other tasks, such as teaching at undergraduate and advanced levels.

Research Environment

The research is conducted within the field of mechanical engineering as part of the Product Development Research Lab (PDRL). PDRL is an internationally recognized research environment focusing on product development, innovation capability, and advanced engineering design, with strong ties to industrial and societal challenges.

The environment is characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration, applied research projects, and access to advanced development, simulation, and visualization infrastructure. Research is conducted in collaboration with national and international partners from industry, government, and academia. Examples of current application areas include the automotive industry (sheet metal forming), construction machinery, and manufacturing systems (digital twins).

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 degree at the advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, or in some other way within or outside the country has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100)).

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Good knowledge of computer-aided engineering (CAE), such as nonlinear FEM, rule-based design, parametric design, and generally model-based systems engineering is advantageous.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence and machine learning in the engineering field.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Documented experience in research and development work.
• Good skills in written and spoken communication in English.
• Good ability to express oneself in Swedish, both orally and in writing.

Work location: Karlskrona.

Work scope: 100%.

Start date: By agreement

Duration: Fixed-term employment for up to 4 years of full-time research. The employment may include up to 20% other duties, such as teaching, in which case the employment period may be extended to a maximum of 5 years.

Application deadline: March 23, 2026.

Your application should include the following:

• A statement of your background, knowledge, and experience in the areas relevant to the position.
• A CV.
• Certified degree certificates and transcripts officially issued by your university; see universityadmissions.se for official recommendations.
• Contact details for two references (reference letters are not required at this stage).
• The date you can earliest start working.
• An attachment with current publications (if applicable).
• A link to your thesis (latest/highest degree).

You apply via our recruitment system by clicking the “apply” button below.

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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 in accordance with 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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