Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Design Sciences

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Subject description
Dynamic markets, to which the companies need to adapt constantly, intensified competition, emergence of innovative and even disruptive technologies, higher demands for customised solutions, shorter product development cycle times, and concern for sustainability issues puts pressure on industrial companies. This calls for new or modified ways to carry out product development. The commonly used stage-gate product development processes is therefore challenged and there might be a need to reconsider how product development is carried out in order to stay competitive.

This doctoral candidate position will address how product development in industry, given companies specific situations, should be carried out efficiently and effectively from idea generation to full-scale production to result in products that are attractive for customers. The product development activities must also fit the company’s development strategy and be produced with high quality at attainable costs. The main research topic will focus on how to organise, structure and carry out product development, including use of appropriate methods, tools, and techniques. The research will investigate how alternatives to, or combination with, the commonly used stage-gate process in industry can be applied, as well as when and why they are relevant alternatives to the stage-gate process.

Work duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching within first and second cycle education and other departmental duties such as related research projects and work in the Additive Manufacturing laboratory (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

  • 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 Innovation Engineering if the applicant has:

  • at least 50 credits in subjects of relevance to the field, including at least 25 second cycle credits, or
  • an MSc in Engineering, or one- or two-year Master’s degree of relevance to the field. 

Additional requirements:

  • Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
  • Experience from product development practice.
  • Knowledge of theories on efficient and effective product development.
  • Analytical skills.

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 PhD studies 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:

  • Experience and knowledge on best-practice product development frameworks.
  • Experience and knowledge on models of product development and engineering design processes, such as, for example, stage-gate models, lean product development, agile product development, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), dynamic product development, Design Thinking, etc.
  • Experience and knowledge on project management.
  • Interest in pedagogics and teaching.
  • Ability to work in teams that might be cross-disciplinary.
  • Ability to establish and maintain contacts and networks with research partners in academia, industry or other organizations.
  • Proficiency in Swedish.

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 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.).

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment As soon as possible
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/2135
Contact
  • Glenn Johansson, Professor, glenn.johansson@design.lth.se
  • Damien Motte, Senior lecturer, damien.motte@design.lth.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 26.Jun.2020
Last application date 31.Jul.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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