Vacant job

Data-driven understanding and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a doctoral student with us, you will work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered a secure employment, high-quality supervision, and room to grow, both as a researcher and as a person.

The research subject of Environmental Engineering at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, is seeking a driven and engaged doctoral student with a focus on data-driven monitoring and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure, to support evidence-based maintenance that contributes to improved water quality and enhanced urban resilience during heavy rainfall. Take the opportunity to join one of the world's leading stormwater research groups in an international, creative, and dynamic environment in close collaboration with the industry and universities worldwide.

The research subject of Environmental Engineering has a strong position in research and education within urban water systems, primarily regarding stormwater and wastewater systems. The group consists of approximately 50 people, including several senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors, and about 20 doctoral students. The group has an extensive national and international cooperation network. The group's overall goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. For more information, see http://www.ltu.se/vatten (http://www.ltu.se/vatten)

Subject Description

Environmental Engineering covers the entire urban water system (stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater) with regard to collection, transport, and treatment, as well as organization/planning. The research aims for good socio-economics and environment, wise resource utilization, as well as citizens' safety and health.

Project Description

Stormwater transports a wide spectrum of pollutants from urban environments to receiving waters, posing significant challenges for the protection of surface water and coastal ecosystems. Urban stormwater facilities, such as stormwater manholes and ponds, play an important role by retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, their function depends on efficient operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite large spatial and temporal variations in sediment accumulation. This project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at enabling a transition towards more data-driven and environmentally sustainable maintenance of urban stormwater facilities. The overarching goal is to reduce the pollutant load to coastal and marine environments and support sustainable urban water management.

The research project will focus on developing a data-driven understanding of sediment accumulation processes in urban stormwater facilities. This includes long-term monitoring using high-resolution sensors to capture sediment dynamics during rainfall events and across different seasons. Based on this data, predictive models will be developed to estimate sediment accumulation and the remaining functionality of the facilities. The results should support more effective maintenance strategies by identifying when and where maintenance efforts are needed to maximize environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Within the project, the doctoral student will collaborate with municipalities and international research partners, as well as communicate results to both the industry and international researchers through LTU's well-established competence network.

Tasks

A doctoral position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a doctoral student, you will be trained in scientific work in the form of data collection and analysis, as well as writing and publishing scientific articles and presenting at national and international conferences. You will also take a number of doctoral courses. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to try the teaching role and/or work with other research projects as departmental service. During your journey, you will have two to three supervisors supporting you in your work. The research work for this project will specifically include experimental work (planning, organizing, and conducting, for example, sediment sampling, laboratory studies, and pilot tests).

Qualifications

Applicants must have a civil engineering or master's degree with a focus on Environment and Water, Natural Resource Technology, Civil Engineering, Road and Water, Chemistry, or another direction deemed equivalent. Specific knowledge of stormwater management, sediment transport processes, as well as hydraulics/hydrology, along with experience in sensor-based monitoring, sampling, statistics, machine learning, thermodynamics (e.g., heat transfer processes), and programming, is advantageous. Furthermore, a good ability to work independently and drive projects forward, as well as to grasp new issues, is required.

The position requires good knowledge of English, as research results will be presented at international conferences and in English-language scientific journals. Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is advantageous. Having a driver's license is advantageous.

Applicants should be able to provide contact details for two reference persons upon request.

For further information about the specific doctoral education, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd (http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd)

Information

Employment as a doctoral student is a fixed-term position of 4 years; teaching and other departmental service may constitute an addition equivalent to up to 20% of the original scope. Place of work: Luleå. Intended start: Autumn 2026

For further information, you are welcome to contact postdoc Haoyu Wei, 0920-491728, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Union Representatives

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Application

We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, where you attach a cover letter, CV/resume, and copies of degree certificates. Mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.

Last date of application: August 17, 2026

Reference number: 3514-2026