Doctoral student in Building Services Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Be part of developing future energy solutions!

Sweden's energy system must be redesigned and developed to reduce climate impact and to achieve a sustainable society that does not endanger the potentials of future generations. This is not only current in Sweden but applies to much of the world.

New technologies and new ideas need to be developed. Instead of seeing each building as an isolated device in the energy supply system, one can see a cluster of buildings that together can exchange energy with each other. If the buildings are interconnected in a network, a building's excess energy of heat or cooling can be an energy source for other buildings. It enables energy flows to be shared, which means that an important step towards a sustainable society and better energy utilization is taken. At the same time, it implies that new roles and co-operation within the energy system are formed.

Work duties
In order to review and develop the principles of shared energy supply systems and formulate its strengths, weaknesses and needs, a cooperation project between Lund University and Industry with funding from the Swedish Energy Agency has been formed. The companies and organizations involved in the collaboration are E.ON, Rise, Enertech, Lambertsson, Nibe, Qvantum, SKVP and Medicon Village.

The project includes a research team including both senior researchers and PhD-students. This job-specification relates to one of the PhD- student positions. The research is conducted as action research where results are implemented on a pilot site based on E.ON's Ectogrid ™ (www.ectogrid.com) under construction in Medicon Village in Lund, where measured data are used in the project for evaluation, testing and optimization. Experiences and knowledge from other similar facilities are also included in the project.

The overall objective of the project is to develop a simulation model for distributed energy solutions for buildings and clarify key factors and conditions for these. The factors include both technical development of components/machines/systems, and how the design of a city district affects the shared energy solution. The combination of theoretical research and practical application are important factors for the success of the project and the utilization of results and experiences.

The PhD student that gets this position will be devoted to his or her research education, which includes participation in the research project as well as postgraduate courses. In the work assignments, participation in teaching and other department duties is also included on 20% of the working time.

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Building Services Engineering if he or she has:

• at least 90 higher education credits with relevance to the subject area, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level and an advanced degree of at least 30 higher education credits at the advanced level in the subject field, or
• degree at advanced level in relevant subject area
• the ability needed to complete the education

Additional requirements:

• Good oral and written proficiency in English
• Knowledge and interest in programming and simulations of buildings and energy physics

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Knowledge in oral and written Swedish
• Knowledge in building technology and building services engineering
• Knowledge in energy systems
• Knowledge in energy distribution systems

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English or Swedish and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation etc.).