Vacant job

Postdoctoral Researcher in Water and Wastewater Engineering – Environmentally Safe Maintenance of Urban Stormwater Infrastructure

Do you want to develop your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is second nature? Here, you will work with dedicated colleagues, have access to modern research infrastructure, and enjoy excellent opportunities to attract external funding. You will have the opportunity to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

The research subject of Water and Wastewater Engineering at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, is seeking a driven and engaged postdoctoral researcher with a focus on how sustainable management of stormwater sediments can contribute to improved water quality. 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 Water and Wastewater Engineering holds a strong position in research and education within urban water systems, primarily concerning stormwater and sewer systems. The group comprises approximately 50 people, including senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors, and around 20 PhD students. The group has an extensive national and international network of collaborators. The group's overarching 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

Water and Wastewater 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 socioeconomics and environment, wise resource utilization, and citizens' safety and health.

Project Description

Stormwater transports a variety of pollutants from urban environments, posing significant challenges for the protection of surface waters. Urban stormwater facilities, such as stormwater manholes and ponds, are crucial for addressing these challenges. Over time, the accumulation of sediments and associated pollutants in these facilities leads to reduced functionality, creating a need for regular and environmentally safe maintenance interventions. As the use of urban stormwater facilities increases, the amount of sediments and associated pollutants retained in these systems will continue to grow, intensifying both management challenges and potential environmental risks. Fully characterizing these challenges in a broader technical and socioeconomic context is critical to ensuring that sediment accumulation prevents – rather than merely delays – discharges to coastal environments. Meeting this need is the central goal of the project and directly addresses the needs of municipalities, authorities, and practitioners for evidence-based tools, clear guidance and legal advice, environmentally sustainable maintenance methods, and long-term sustainable financing models. The project thus contributes to reducing land-based impacts on coastal and marine environments through a systemic transition.

The work within the project involves evaluating and developing technical solutions for the operation and maintenance of urban stormwater facilities, as well as detailed characterization of the waste streams generated during maintenance interventions.

Within the project, the postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with municipalities and international research partners, and communicate results to both the industry and international researchers through LTU's well-established competence networks.

Job Responsibilities

The duties of a postdoctoral researcher are varied. You will work independently to plan and conduct your studies, as well as write scientific articles, in collaboration with industry and other project partners. In between, you will participate in seminars and conferences in Sweden and internationally. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to try out the teaching role, and administrative tasks may also occur (up to 20% of full-time). You will have two supervisors by your side.

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment, a PhD degree or equivalent foreign degree in Water and Wastewater Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering, or another field deemed equivalent is required. It is meritorious if your degree was awarded no more than three years before the last day of application for this position. If there are special reasons, it may be considered as a degree obtained earlier, for example, in cases of various types of statutory leave.

The applicant must have the ability to work independently, take initiative, and independently start new research areas. Proficiency in English is necessary to present research results at international conferences and in scientific publications. It is meritorious if you have knowledge and experience in:

• Stormwater management, urban pollution sources, and the environmental behavior of pollutants
• Experience with sampling, analytical chemistry, laboratory work, and statistics, as well as working with large environmental measurement datasets

Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is meritorious, as it facilitates communication with stakeholders and participation in teaching activities. Possession of a driver's license is also meritorious, as it facilitates research work. You should be able to provide contact details for two reference persons upon request.

Information

This position is a full-time employment for two years. The workplace is in Luleå. Intended start date: Autumn 2026.

For further information, you are welcome to contact Associate Professor Alexandra Müller, 0920-49 30 78, [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, attaching 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 day of application: August 17, 2026

Reference Number: 3517-2026