Doctoral student in Water and Environmental Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Division of Chemical Engineering is innovative in separation technology and reaction technology that is part of the Department  of process and life science engineering (PLE). Our work has a clear connection to Agenda 2030 through a research focus on energy and cost-effective processes. Collaboration with industry and other research groups both inside and out of Sweden is an important component of our strategy.

Description of the workplace

The position is part of the department's research activities in wastewater management and nutrient removal. The activities are both experimental in different scales and theoretical with elements of modelling and are based on close cooperation with wastewater treatment plants and industries.

The employment will be at Department of Process and Life Science Engineering, division of Chemical Engineering. The successful candidate will be based in Sundsvall with some mandatory elements in Lund. You can read more about the department here and the division of Chemical Engineering here.

Subject description

Water and wastewater engineering is based on basic knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, microbiology, mathematics and chemistry. Research is conducted in the form of experimental studies at laboratory, pilot and industrial scale, modelling and simulation of technical processes, process design and system analysis.

The subject studies the separation of nutrients and micropollutants, sludge treatment, separation technology, infrastructure and technical processes for the treatment of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater.

Many wastewater treatment plants in northern Sweden are facing major challenges with expected nitrogen removal requirements, new targets for climate neutrality and separation of micropollutants, and increasing load to wastewater treatment plants through ongoing industrialisation. The availability of precipitation chemicals used for phosphorus removal today is also uncertain in the future. Furthermore, the low water temperatures that occasionally exist in northern Sweden are a special challenge to consider for biological treatment processes and wastewater treatment plants in northern Sweden may need to be rebuilt from scratch in the next few years to meet these challenges. In connection with these renovations and new constructions, there is an opportunity to choose efficient and resource-saving process solutions that reduce chemical dependence, minimise climate impact and increase the possibilities for nutrient recovery.

The doctoral project will be carried out within the project "Resource-Efficient Removal of Nutrients from Wastewater in Cold Climate", which is largely funded by Formas. The funding covers the doctoral student's employment, construction and rental of pilot plants, consumables and everything else needed for the implementation of a successful doctoral project. The project group includes LTH, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and five water and wastewater organisations from Northern Sweden. Pilot tests will be conducted at one of MittSverige Vatten & Avfall's treatment plants in Sundsvall, which requires that the doctoral student lives in the vicinity of Sundsvall during the entire doctoral programme. The doctoral student will in daily work interact with MittSverige Vatten & Avfall's staff and work in the treatment plant's premises or at MittSverige Vatten & Avfall's office. The academic supervisor for the PhD will be Karin Jönsson from LTH and will be supplemented by co-supervisors Andriy Malovanyy from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and Malin Tuvesson from MittSverige Vatten & Avfall. Travelling to Lund for participation in courses and other activities is included in the position. Travel expenses to and accommodation in places other than Sundsvall to the extent necessary to fulfil the requirements of the doctoral programme are financed by the project.

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. As a doctoral student, you will work experimentally in a pilot plant located in Sundsvall and most of the work will be carried out on a pilot scale. The process solution that will be studied in the project consists of biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal in a process with suspended carriers (so-called MBBR technology) supplemented with hydrolysis of primary sludge to produce internal carbon source. The purpose of the experimental work is to form the basis for the design of a resource-efficient water treatment process with as low climate impact as possible, adapted to northern Swedish conditions with periodically cold water temperatures. The work includes testing of technical solutions for the treatment of primary sludge for VFA production and biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal from wastewater, possible modelling of these processes and optimization for reduction of resource consumption and reduced emissions of nitrous oxide.

The tasks will include some practical work with operation and maintenance of pilot plants and implementation of batch experiments at lab scale. As a doctoral student, you are also expected to present your work both orally and in writing in academic contexts and to stakeholders in the industry.

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 Water and Environmental Engineering if the applicant has:

• a specialised project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the subject

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

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:

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

Other assessment criteria:

• Work experience in wastewater treatment, preferably with regard to nutrient removal.
• Experience in the operation of pilot plants
• Documented experience of qualified work or other relevant competence regarding experimental work.
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish is a merit.
• Driving licence (car) is a merit.

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. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. Location: Sundsvall, Sweden.

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!