Doctoral student in Technology and Society with focus on railway research - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Transport and Roads at the Department of Technology and Society, conducts research and higher education in transport and traffic planning. We are increasingly investing in railway research. To strengthen our operations in this area, we are now announcing a position as a doctoral student with a focus on railway capacity and punctuality.

Subject description
The research area is based in the notion that the robustness and punctuality of the railway system must increase, while capacity and capacity utilization must not decrease. It requires major improvements in everything from monitoring and predicting operational disruptions to efficient management of the remaining disruptions. Opportunities to increase capacity and punctuality through efforts in both traffic, infrastructure and vehicles must be supported so that the time and cost of implementation can be reduced.

The subject area includes assessment of capacity and punctuality and general methods for analysing, risk assessing and improving capacity and punctuality. The area also includes handling of lack of punctuality, such as traffic prediction, traffic information and "resilience". The concept of capacity includes various aspects of train traffic linked to both vehicles, infrastructure and capacity distribution, such as train flow (train / hour), track system parameters (train length, maximum axle load, bearing capacity, load profiles, etc.) that affect transport capacity (flow of passengers or goods per unit of time). The subject area can also include processes and methods for strategic and tactical capacity distribution and traffic planning. The approach is quantitative and data-driven.

Work duties
The doctoral student must conduct research in the described subject area. The research tasks are based on both qualitative and quantitative methods and can, for example, consist of literature studies, interviews, register data, and simulation. Quantitative data are analysed using statistical methods and database processing. Special emphasis is placed on evaluation of performed and simulated traffic. The tasks often include contacts and collaboration with external actors for the collection of information and data and for the effective dissemination of research results.
The tasks will be performed both together with the responsible project manager and independently. Travel and stay elsewhere within Sweden and internationally are included in the tasks.

The doctoral student is expected to actively participate in and contribute to the Transport and Roads research environment as well as collaborate with wider society. The project includes collaboration with and use of data from the Swedish Transport Administration.

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%).

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 Technology and Society if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits awarded in the second cycle relevant to the subject area.

Additional requirements:

• Very 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 in accordance with the first paragraph 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. These may be demonstrated through documents appended to the application and at a possible interview.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. The assessment could be made on the basis of the student’s degree project and a discussion of this at a possible interview.
3. Written and oral communication skills, not least in making researchbased knowledge available to a wider audience, public debate, legislators or in industrial collaborations.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience

Other assessment criteria

• In the first instance, a person with an academic degree focusing on transport planning, simulation, timetable planning, logistics or process planning is sought, but applicants with other focuses and with relevant qualifications will also be considered.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge within railway systems relevant for the research area.
• Courses in transport planning, transport simulation, logistics or process management as well as experience from collaboration with other disciplines.
• Experience from simulation of train traffic, independent investigation work, independent data collection (quantitative and qualitative) as well as coordination of data collection and work with databases and data management programs.
• Experience of qualified analysis work in the transport area, especially the European context.
• Knowledge of the Swedish language or any Scandinavian language.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

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 §§.

Instructions on 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.).