Doctoral student with focus on electrified long-haul transport in a systems perspective - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

The doctoral student will be part of research studies in subject area Technology and Society.

The subject area Technology and Society includes interdisciplinary studies about the role of technology in different parts of society. The research covers both qualitative and quantitative studies and is characterized by a variety of methods and theories from engineering, social science and natural science.  

Work duties

The Swedish parliament has a goal that emissions of greenhouse gases from the transport sector should be reduced by 70% in 2030. One of several ways to reach this goal is through an increased electrification of both personal transport and freight transport.

Such a transition puts requirements on technical development and investments in vehicles, charging infrastructure and electric grid capacity. There might also be a need to change our behaviour and how we plan travel and freight systems.

This doctoral project focuses on the electrification of long-haul transport from a systems perspective.

The doctoral student will be expected to contribute to new knowledge on how electrified long-haul transport can contribute to the transition of the transport sector. Special focus will be on which policy instruments that can be motivated and used to support a transition in a way that is positive for society as a whole.

This can involve studies of existing and suggested policy instruments in Sweden and internationally. It can also involve environmental system analysis, greenhouse gas calculations, as well as business and macroeconomic analysis.

The doctoral student will primarily be part of the project ”E-charge: System demonstration of electrified long-haul transports”. The main aim of the project is demonstration and research on electrified long-haul transports in certain selected freight routes. Project partners include Volvo, Scania, Circle K, OKQ8, ABB, DB Schenker, ICA, Tommy Nordbergh Åkeri and Vattenfall.

The academic research is carried out in an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from Chalmers, Linköping University, Lund University and Uppsala University within the framework of the Swedish Electromobility Center (SEC). The project brings good possibilities for collaboration with companies as well as other research environments. 

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 cab also include teaching and other departmental duties (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 Technology and Society if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits awarded in the second cycle relevant to the subject area.

Additional requirements:

Very good oral and written proficiency in Swedish, since part of the tasks will be analysing policy documents, legislation and other documents in Swedish. Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

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:

• It is considered an additional qualification if you have experience of working in research projects, especially interdisciplinary ones.
• It is considered an additional qualification if you have documented experience of working with quantitative methods
• It is considered an additional qualification if you have documented experience of working with qualitative methods

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.

The doctoral project has a strong focus on technical systems and the applicant needs to have an interest in these issues. We however welcome applicants with both an engineering and social science background since the focus of the project includes both these perspectives.

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.).

Welcome with your application!