Doctoral student in Aerosol Technology with Focus on airborne emissions from recycled materials for construction

Description of the workplace

The research program (https://www.eat.lth.se/english/research/airborne-particles-and-health/) on the impact of aerosols on health and environment at the division of Ergonomics & Aerosol Technology at the faculty of engineering is carried out by a dynamic group of researchers that have access to internationally leading laboratories.

The division also coordinates AEROSOLS (LTH Profile Area: Aerosols), one of the excellence areas at the faculty of engineering, encompassing over 100 researchers and PhD Students. The research carried out in AEROSOLS is typically interdisciplinary on the sources of air pollution, air quality and the impacts on health, environment, and climate with the aim of providing solutions to our major societal challenges. Many of our research activities are also part of the strategic research areas NanoLund or Merge.

The division actively works on creating an environment where openness, teamwork, and support of/from the collegium is highly valued.

Subject description

Aerosols are mixtures of gases and particles, where the air we breathe is a common example. Exposure to aerosol particles (measured as PM2.5) is today the largest environmental risk factor in Europe. Workplace exposure is also a significant risk factor, where risks associated with the dusting from secondary use of unbound materials are foreseen to increase in the transition to a circular economy.

In a circular economy, waste streams and residual materials must be utilized to replace primary raw materials. In the coming years Sweden aims to go from 5% of the recycled materials in our products to 95%. This rapid transition will result in new risks of emissions to the air from potentially polluted waste streams – both for occupational exposure (exposure of workers) and for the uncontrolled spread of toxic substances into the outer environment. 

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 PhD is in aerosol science, in the area of safe material recycling and secondary use, both from a perspective of occupational exposures and of unintentional spread to the outer enviroment. More specifically this means identifying and investigating upcoming risks related to dusting of unbound materials during secondary use. It includes developing new or adjusting existing approaches to systematically study dust generation under controlled conditions, investigating both the physicochemical properties of the dust and the toxicity from a health risk perspective.

Your work will be interdisciplinary and primarily of an experimental nature, but will also include theory and empirical models. You will participate in studies in industrial environments to characterize and collect aerosol samples, as well as design and conduct studies in a laboratory environment. Often, a set of instruments and techniques needs to be applied to understand the physical, chemical and toxic properties of particles – from "state-of-the art" to standardised techniques. This can range from synchrotron based spectroscopy, to implementing novel sensor techniques to monitor diffuse dust emisions, and possibly cell culture works.

As PhD student, you will communicate your results broadly through international scientific publications and conferences, to stakeholders, and in popular science.

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 Aerosol Technology if the applicant has:

• at least 50 credits in subjects of relevance to the field, including at least 25 second cycle credits, or
• a one- or two-year Master’s degree or an MSc in Engineering of relevance to the field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience of experimental work in laboratory or field studies (can be through courses).

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:

• Relevance of the education to the topic of the PhD. Examples are physics, chemistry, toxicology, nanoscience, environmental science/engineering, microbiology and biotechnology.
• Prior knowledge or experiences in aerosol science, circular economy, material science or toxicology.
• The ability for skilful laboratory and field experimental work is essential and demonstrated experience will be considered a merit.
• Experience in scientific interaction with researchers from other relevant disciplines, or similar experiences from industry.

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. In case of involvement in teaching and other departmental duties, employment can be extended correspondingly, however not longer than to 5 years of full-time employment (which includes max 20% departmental duties). Employment of PhD student is subject to regulations given in the Swedish  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!