Researcher in Structural Engineering

Description of the workplace

We as the Division of Structural Engineering strive for a safe, economically efficient, and sustainable design and integrity management of load bearing structures in buildings and infrastructures throughout their life cycle. Climate change and urbanization are phenomena raising a number of challenges, yet also creating opportunities for climate change adaptation innovations. Buildings and infrastructure are to withstand more intensive storms, more precipitation, flooding and increased atmospheric loads. Urbanization and an increasing population create demands for more housing and further extension of the infrastructure. At the same time, requirements on limiting the climate and environmental effects of construction point at the need of more rational use of construction materials and structural health information. We are focussed on contributing to safe, sustainable, cost-efficient structures, building systems and production methods.

At the division we are about 15 researching staff working within different research areas (wood and biobased materials, concrete, masonry, risk & reliability & value of information). You will be part of the research group that works with different questions regarding biobased materials, wood, and timber construction. We run a large laboratory and have access to the civil engineering laboratory in V-building at LTH.

Work duties

Your work will mainly be within a research and development project that deals with the potential of bio-based insulation, with a focus on energy performance and how the insulation can be implemented in the industrial timber house production. You will lead the project and conduct research independently, with some help from colleagues who contribute with their expertise. The project includes both experiments on laboratory scale and full-scale as well as modelling. Travel to the participating 9 wooden house factories (mostly in Småland) is included and you will hold workshops and dissemination of the results (in Swedish). You are expected to publish the results both scientifically and as popular science, and at industry conferences.

You will also act as coordinator for the Civil Engineering Laboratories (CEL) where you coordinate the 12 different laboratories, work strategically for increased activities in the CEL and are the contact person for external users.

In teaching, you will be involved in the course Design of Timber Structures (advanced course), with responsibility for carrying out the lab experiments, assessing the lab reports, as well as holding some lectures and exercises. You should also be able to teach the basic courses in structural engineering as a teaching assistant in the spring of 2025, where Swedish is needed as the language of instruction. We also expect you to independently and in collaboration with colleagues prepare research applications.

Description of the work duties:

• to actively and in a leading role participate in the research project on bio-based insulation.
• Support other research within the division
• teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies (max 20%).
• the opportunity for training in teaching and learning in higher education
• supervision of degree projects
• assist in seeking external research funding.
• Coordinator role for the Civil Engineering Laboratory
• administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualifications

Appointment to a position as a researcher requires that the applicant has a PhD.

Required qualifications:

• You must have a PhD in structural engineering, building technology or an equivalent subject that is relevant to the research project you are going to work on
• very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• very good oral and written proficiency in Swedish.
• You have very good knowledge of bio-based insulating materials, with a focus on thermal properties, both at material level and element level
• You have good knowledge of wood construction in general and timber frame structures in particular
• You have experience of laboratory work, with a focus on mechanical tests and characterization of building materials.
• You must be independent in your work and have good collaboration skills 

Additional requirements:

• It is a merit if you have knowledge of building materials other than the bio-based ones, e.g. steel, concrete.
• Experience of communicating with the wooden building industry, for example through workshops, conferences or meetings is a merit.
• It is a merit if you have other laboratory experience than the one mentioned above.
• It is a merit if you have experience of supervising degree projects.
• It is a merit if you have previous teaching experience from, for example, undergraduate or advanced level

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Further information

The position is a fixed term position for 1 year, starting earliest 240916 and latest 241015 at 100 per cent of full time.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)”  

Welcome to apply!