Doctoral student in Technology and Society with focus on railway technology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

Transport and Roads is a division within the Department of Technology and Society. We have around 40 employees and are situated on LTH campus. The PhD student will join the research group Railway operation, a group of currently five PhD students and one senior research staff. The research group has ambitions for a great work environment with close and frequent supervision, a nice atmosphere, and a welcoming group. You can read more about the research group on Lund University’s Research Portal.

Subject description

The doctoral subject Technology and Society encompasses multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies of technology’s role, interplay and importance in different sectors of society. The research entails both qualitative and quantitative studies, and is often characterized by a diversity in methods and theories from technological perspectives, social sciences, law and natural sciences. 

The focus for this specific position is condition monitoring and causality of deformations and settlements on railway infrastructure with the use of InSAR. Relevant parameters for the development of rail deformations can be of geotechnical, geological, climate- and construction-related origins. Vertical ground movements over time from InSAR together with other collected geodata can be used to investigate possible causes of these rail deformations. 

The doctoral student will be part of a research project, which is a collaboration between Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology, and VTI (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute).

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 can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The research task is based primarily on quantitative methods from data that is collected from several varying sources (including the Swedish Space Agencey, the Swedish Transport Administration, Land Survey of Sweden, Geological Survey of Sweden, etc.). These shall be coordinated to a common system and the data is to be analysed through statistical methods and database processing. The tasks involve contact and cooperation with external partners, where you will have responsibility for the progression of the project, reporting and communication of the results. 

The work tasks include:

• Travel and stay at other locations within Sweden and internationally.
• Regular meetings with supervisors, as well as steering and reference groups for the research project. 
• Frequent contact with Swedish government agencies. 
• Working with some potentially sensitive data. 

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 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’s considered an additional qualification if you have knowledge in railway technology, preferably within condition monitoring and maintenance.
• It’s considered an additional qualification if you have an educational background in civil engineering.
• It’s considered an additional qualification if you have experience working with quantitative data and time series analysis.
• It’s considered an additional qualification if you have experience with data from public agencies.
• It’s considered an additional qualification if you have experience with geographic information systems (GIS). 

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 §§.

Preferred admission as soon as possible, but 1 January 2024 at the latest.

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 to apply!