Vacant job

Optimized and integrated renewal planning of water and sewer pipes and street networks for increased sustainability

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student here, 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 an individual.

The research subject of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, is seeking a driven and engaged PhD student with a focus on how urban water and sewer pipes and streets can be renovated and renewed in a coordinated manner (or separately), with the aim of enabling sustainable management of municipal infrastructure. Take advantage of the opportunity to join one of the world's leading research environments in urban water systems, characterized by an international, creative, and dynamic work environment as well as close collaboration with industry and universities worldwide.

The research subject of Water and Environmental Engineering has a strong position in research and education within urban water systems, primarily regarding stormwater and sewer systems. The group consists of approximately 50 people, including several senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors, and over 20 PhD 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

Water and 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

The project Streetwise aims to improve the coordination between street works and the renewal of water and sewer pipes in Swedish municipalities. Today, these investments are often planned and financed separately or coordinated based on limited information, leading to repeated excavation work, higher lifecycle costs, and unnecessary disturbances for citizens. Skellefteå Municipality is the need owner and participates through the Water & Sewer and Streets departments, thereby providing a real test environment. Recently conducted research will serve as the starting point, where a model will be further developed to optimize strategic asset management and coordination based on economic, environmental, and other societal criteria. You will belong to a research group with researchers from our university as well as external researchers from the research institute RISE, who are experts in policy development methodology.

The research includes further development of an existing Python model and data collection on asset management of municipal infrastructure. Together with other researchers in the team, you will design workshops to be conducted together with municipal cooperation partners, with the aim of understanding current routines for coordinating asset management of multifunctional infrastructure and developing tools to support their work.

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

Tasks

As a PhD student, you will be trained in scientific work. You will develop a Python model and participate in workshops. You will learn how to collect and analyze scientific data within your research area, as well as how to communicate results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to independent research studies, including both research work and mandatory and elective 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 supervisors who support you in your work. The research work within this project will specifically include modeling, including lifecycle analyses and lifecycle costs, as well as participation in policy development for the water sector.

Qualifications

The applicant must have a Master of Science degree with a focus on Environment and Water, Natural Resource Technology, Civil Engineering, Road and Water, or another focus considered equivalent. Specific knowledge of the design of urban water systems, including pipe networks, Python programming and modeling, as well as lifecycle analyses, as well as knowledge in economics and statistics, is meritorious. Furthermore, a good ability to work independently and drive projects forward, as well as to familiarize oneself with 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 meritorious, as it facilitates communication with stakeholders and participation in research and teaching activities. Having a driver's license is meritorious.

The applicant must be able to provide contact details for two reference persons upon request.

For further information about the specific PhD program, 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 PhD student is a fixed-term position of 4 years; teaching and other departmental service may constitute an addition corresponding to up to 20% of the original scope. Place of work: Luleå. Intended start: Autumn 2026.

For further information, you are welcome to contact Associate Professor Annelie Hedström, 0920-49 23 09, [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 day for applications: August 16, 2026

Reference number: 3603-2026