Doctoral student in Structural Engineering with focus braking and traction forces on railway bridges

Description of the workplace

The position is located at the Department of Building and Environmental Technology, Division of Structural Engineering. The division conducts research and education at undergraduate and postgraduate level in various areas of structural engineering such as safety, risk and reliability analysis of building and infrastructure systems, environmental influences on structures, energy efficiency and utility stage analyses. The goal of the research at the division is to contribute to the development of buildings and infrastructures that are safe, functional and sustainable regarding resource utilization and robustness. The research is of an applied nature and is often conducted in close collaboration with industry and other actors in the built environment.

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology has a stimulating and international environment consisting of PhD students, postdocs and teachers from many parts of the world. Here, research and teaching take place in an open and progressive climate with challenges and collaborations both within academia and with industry partners, both nationally and internationally. The work environment is characterized by commitment, collaboration, creativity and personal responsibility

Project description

The PhD project aims to improve the treatment of braking and traction loads for the design of new, and verification of existing, railway bridges. This includes an investigation into the structural models used as well as the applied loads (and how these are combined with other loads). A probabilistic framework is to be adopted to be compatible with the safety format adopted in modern design codes (i.e., partial safety factor method calibrated using reliability-based assessments). It is anticipated that the outcome will result in recommendations for improved procedures relating to the design and verification of railway bridge systems with a consistent safety format. This should also reduce the potential over-expenditure of resources owing to highly conservative design practices while providing insights for improving the load rating of existing railway bridges.

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

The work in this research project is divided into four parts. The first part contains a systematic investigation and review of existing literature including state of the practice (with industry input). The second part consists of an evaluation of computational models for longitudinal track-bridge interaction for their suitability in estimating traction/braking loads and for probabilistic applications. The third part is the development of probabilistic load and resistance models as basis for structural reliability analysis and code calibration/verification. The fourth part concerns the identification and evaluation of methods to reduce traction/braking loading on railway bridges. To facilitate these tasks, case studies and collaboration with construction industry partners are included. Support for the supervision will also be provided by a co-supervisor from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.

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 Structural Engineering if the applicant has: 

• at least 90 credits in subjects of relevance to the field including at least 60 second-cycle credits and a second-cycle degree project of at least 30 credits in the field, or 
• a second-cycle degree in a relevant field.

Additional requirements

• 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:

• Knowledge and skills in structural engineering with a focus on bridge modeling, design and/or assessment (and idealy for railway bridges)
• Knowledge and skills in structural reliability analyses, load modeling, or other relevant applications of probabilistic/statistical methods in structural engineering applications

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.).

Welcome to apply!