Vacant job

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 good opportunities to attract external funding. You will be given the space to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering (SBN) offers unique and consolidated research competence within the field of building and construction. The subject of Building Construction (https://www.ltu.se/forskning/forskningsamnen/byggkonstruktion (https://www.ltu.se/forskning/forskningsamnen/byggkonstruktion)) is now seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who wishes to contribute to science and technology within the area of condition assessment. Within our department, we strive for everyone to develop and grow as individuals.

Subject Description

Building construction covers loads, design, dimensioning, sustainability, load-bearing capacity, repair, and strengthening of buildings and structures made of concrete, steel, timber, and other materials, either individually or in combination, under normal conditions, in cold climates, and during fire.

Project Description

The project Semi-probabilistic assessment of infrastructure under climate influence develops and applies semi-probabilistic and probabilistic methods to assess the current and future load-bearing capacity of existing infrastructure, taking into account climate change and non-stationary environmental conditions. The goal is to link reliability-based research to practically useful decision support for infrastructure managers and public authorities.

The work connects to research in bridge monitoring, condition assessment, and data-driven infrastructure management. Data from case studies (inspections, monitoring, and tests) are used for model updating, calibration of safety formats, and predictions of future performance and remaining service life.

Responsibilities

You will conduct research with strong methodological and applied components, with the aim of publishing results in international, peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at leading scientific conferences.

The responsibilities include:

• Develop semi-probabilistic and probabilistic frameworks for assessing existing infrastructure under climate influence
• Integrate time-dependent degradation models with climate projections
• Update models with data from monitoring and inspection
• Calibrate and compare safety formats
• Translate analysis results into decision support
• Participate in supervision, teaching, and research applications

Qualifications

To be eligible for this postdoctoral position, you must have a PhD in civil engineering, building construction, highway and water resources engineering, or another related field, with specialization in areas such as structural reliability, probabilistic methods, infrastructure assessment, or durability. The PhD must be completed no later than the start date.

Required qualifications:

• Strong research background in structural reliability and probabilistic/semi-probabilistic analysis as well as safety formats for design and assessment of structures
• Documented experience with time-variant models for structural load-bearing capacity, degradation processes, or life-cycle-based analysis of structures
• Experience with Monte Carlo, FORM/SORM, or similar methods
• Ability to work with experimental, monitoring, or inspection data for model updating and uncertainty quantification
• Good knowledge of existing structures, particularly concrete and bridges
• Strong publication record
• Very good ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, as well as the ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary collaborations

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience with climate change scenarios and their application in structural or infrastructure assessment
• Knowledge of code calibration, partial factors, or assessment standards for existing structures
• Experience in translating technical analysis results into decision support or guidelines for infrastructure owners and public actors

Information

This position is a full-time employment for two years. The workplace is in Luleå. Intended start date: As soon as possible.

For further information, please contact Jaime Gonzalez, Associate Professor, 0920-49 2970, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or Chao Wang, Associate Professor, 0920-49 2944, [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 verified degree certificates. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates should be written in Swedish or English.

Last date for applications: August 3, 2026

Reference number: 3824-2026