Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering focused on timber and bio-based construction

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology is recruiting an Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering focused on timber and bio-based construction. 

At the Division of Structural Engineering, education and research are conducted in areas focusing on the design of the structural system of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure considering various loads and influences that may occur during their lifespan. Climate change and urbanization are two phenomena that present numerous challenges while also creating opportunities for innovation within the field of research. Buildings and structures must be adapted to more extreme weather conditions, including stronger wind, increased precipitation, flooding, and increased humidity levels. Urbanization and a growing population drive increased demand for both housing and expanded infrastructure. At the same time, there are demands to reduce the climate impact and environmental footprint of construction, requiring more efficient use of building materials. Sustainable, time-efficient, and cost-effective structures, building systems, and production techniques must be developed.

The division is comprised of approximately 15 research staff working in the three main research areas safety and decision support, structural performance and resource efficiency. You will be part of the research group focusing on various issues related to wood and biobased materials (subtopic of structural performance and resource efficiency) but will also work more broadly with our experimental activities. We have a large laboratory and access to the Civil Engineering Laboratory in the Civil Engineering Building on the campus of LTH. We are actively involved in several of LTH's profile areas, including "Energy Transition" and "Circular Building Sector."

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology offers a stimulating and international environment with PhD students, postdocs, and faculty from many parts of the world. Research and teaching are conducted in an open and progressive climate, with challenges and collaborations within academia and with industry partners, both nationally and internationally. The work environment is characterized by engagement, collaboration, creativity, and personal responsibility.

Subject

Structural Engineering with focus on timber and biobased construction.

Subject description

The subject of this position is structural engineering, with a focus on timber and biobased construction as well as non-standardized experimental work. The activities should be characterized by a holistic perspective and interdisciplinarity within the field of timber and biobased construction.

The position shall significantly strengthen the research group in timber and biobased construction, where much of the research involves experiments and modeling within areas such as timber structures, industrial timber construction, biobased insulation materials, issues related to moisture, mold, and decay, as well as service life design. The experimental aspect includes working with a broad range of measurement systems and models, as well as the development and execution of non-standardized experiments in research, commissioned projects, and teaching.

Non-standardized experiments are often used in product development, research, and education, and typically involve designing an experiment based on the needs and requirements of the (external) user, without consideration of standard procedures. 

Work duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Active in running and developing the laboratory activity and facilities of the division and the Civil Engineering Laboratory through a role as coordinator for the Civil Engineering Laboratory.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within five years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in Swedish, as this is a prerequisite for being the coordinator for the Civil Engineering Laboratory and teaching at the basic level.
• Documented knowledge and experience within timber and biobased construction, considering structural function, moisture and energy.
• Documented experience in non-standardized experimental work (e.g., in research, commissioned testing, teaching) across a broad field within the civil engineering sector, in at least several of the following areas: mechanical testing, moisture, energy, fire, material characterization, acoustics, dynamics, and for several of the following relevant material groups: timber and other biobased materials, concrete, steel, masonry.
• Documented experience with teaching within structural engineering as a subject.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

• Significant documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc or doctoral studies) from another university/institute or relevant experience from industry/public sector.
• Extensive and broad experience in non-standardized experimental work.
• Experience in collaboration with industry in research projects.
• Organizational engagement.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

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: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering with focus on timber and biobased construction

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Ability to actively, independently seek and successfully acquire external funding.