Doctoral student in building physics with focus on renovation and adaptive reuse of buildings - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

Building Physics has just over 15 employees, some of whom are doctoral students. The workplace is located in the V-building in Lund, but many of the projects take place in various forms of collaboration within and outside Lund University. 

Subject description

The subject deals with how heat, moisture and air are distributed and transported through building parts and within buildings. The research results are used to develop and link individual materials into building parts, such as foundations, external walls, windows, roofs and their connections and penetrations. The goal is to create energy-efficient, comfortable and moisture-proof houses with a good indoor environment, long service life and low environmental impact that results in an efficient use of the earth's resources.

Work duties/PhD project

The cities of the future are already built – but they need to become more climate-smart and socially sustainable. To get there, we need to get better at renovating, re-vandalizing and densifying in a wise way. In several parts of the country, there is a shortage of housing, while many office premises today are empty. To overcome the problem without having to demolish and build new, we need to get better at rebuilding existing premises. If new homes can be found in the already existing city, and also decorated with recycled materials, new homes can be created with a fraction of the climate impact that a newly built house would entail. The ASSURE Adap-tation of urban Space through SUstainable Regeneration graduate school is about transforming our existing built environments into something more sustainable. A total of eight doctorands will be part of the graduate school, which has a practice-based and interdisciplinary approach.  If new homes can be found in the already existing city, and also decorated with recycled materials, new homes can be created with a fraction of the climate impact that a newly built house would entail. The ASSURE Adaptation of urban Space through SUstainable Regeneration graduate school is about transforming our existing built environments into something more sustainable. A total of eight doctoral students will be part of the graduate school, which has a practice based and interdisciplinary approach.  In this research project, the PhD student will analyze the renovation and adaptation of buildings to meet future needs and conditions with a focus on the building's energy use, moisture safety and indoor environment. How should ceilings, exterior walls, windows and interior walls, glass sections, floors, stairs, bath rooms and kitchens be renovated and adapted to meet the demands for new use and new conditions?

Several functional requirements will need to be taken into account, such as accessibility, safety of daylight and lighting, and indoor air quality, while taking into account energy use and limited resource extraction by preserving materials and components as far as possible to reduce climate impact. The doctoral student will use quantitative methods for energy calculations, hygrothermal simulations, life cycle analysis and measurements in real constructions but also qualitative methods such as interviews and surveys with stakeholders and users.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies, which includes participation in the research project and third cycle courses. The work duties also include teaching and other institutional work, but not more than 20% of the working hours at the Division of Building Physics at the Department of Building and Environmental Technology.

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 Building physics if the applicant has: 

• at least 90 credits of relevance to the subject area, of which at least 60 credits at second-cycle level and an in-depth study of at least 30 credits at second-cycle level in the subject area, or 
• a second-cycle degree in a relevant subject area. 

Additional requirements:

• 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:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in Swedish, given the research project's communication with the Swedish construction industry and with regard to teaching.
• Knowledge relevant to the research project described above, e.g. about buildings' technical systems, simulations, design of technical systems and programming.  

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

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

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 §§.

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.). You are also asked to answer the job specific questions. 

Welcome to apply!