Website Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Building and Environmental Technology
Job description
Workplace description: The Department of Building and Environmental Technology has a vibrant and international environment, including doctoral students, postdocs, and teachers from all over the world. Research and teaching take place in an open, progressive atmosphere, with challenging and collaborative partnerships both within the faculty and with industrial partners nationally and internationally. The work environment is characterized by commitment, cooperation, creativity, and personal responsibility. The position is located in the Water Resources Engineering Division under the Department of Building and Environmental Technology. The division’s research and teaching are dedicated to understanding the presence and transport of water in natural and urban systems, including but not limited to: rainfall-runoff processes, how rainfall and snowmelt reach rivers, flooding and its mitigation systems, streamflow, water use and water quality influencing factors, as well as erosion of open coastlines, rivers, and lakes. The division has approximately 30 staff members and 20 doctoral students. This position belongs to the water management group, which conducts research in integrated water resources management, including water use, hydrology, groundwater recharge, modeling, water source water quality, as well as pollution of groundwater and surface water.
As a doctoral student: As a doctoral student, you are both enrolled as a student and employed by Lund University. You will receive training in scientific methods. In short, you will learn critical and analytical thinking, independently apply correct methods to solve problems, and develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in projects, develop leadership skills, and teaching abilities. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by a supervisor. Doctoral studies conclude with a thesis and a doctoral degree.
Research topic and project description: The thesis will focus on innovative methods to reduce specific water consumption in households, businesses, and public sectors, and explore mechanisms to achieve a 40% reduction in total water use supplied by Skåne’s water supply and sanitation operations from 2026 to 2040. Given that current conditions require change, the candidate should be motivated and enthusiastic to implement innovative solutions, thereby managing water resources in a more economical way. The thesis work will be based on analysis and measurements of the water supply systems of water supply and sanitation departments (WSS), interviews with private and public water users as well as stakeholders in the water supply and sanitation industry, and research on how to introduce smarter water use technologies and other measures to improve water efficiency to water users. The thesis will propose scientific methods and measures to reduce water use, as well as pathways to introduce these into society. The project is part of the second phase of the EU-funded Water4All program.
Work duties: You will primarily focus on doctoral courses, including participation in research projects as well as third-cycle courses, seminars, and conferences. You will map the current water use situation in selected municipalities, identify regional differences, explore international experiences (such as how innovative solutions have been introduced to improve water efficiency), and develop ideas and methods to integrate rational water use technologies into the operations of water producers and users. You will work in a research group with solid knowledge and experience, and during your doctoral period, assist the research leader in outreach activities to water producers and users in the region. You will establish networks with international experts from Denmark, Scotland, the Netherlands, Singapore, and other places. Specific tasks include:
– Mapping household-level and municipal-level water use patterns in five municipalities in Skåne
– Reviewing the water use situation of the commercial sector’s municipal drinking water in these municipalities
– Mapping and developing innovations for high-efficiency water use nationally and internationally in household, public, and commercial sectors
– Tasks may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (but a maximum of 20% of working time)
offer requirements
Admission requirements: Candidates meeting the general admission requirements for third-cycle studies and learning projects must:
– Have obtained second-cycle qualifications, or
– Have completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were obtained in the second cycle, or
– Have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in Sweden or another country in other ways.
Candidates meeting the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Water Resources Engineering must:
– Have at least 120 credits in subjects relevant to the research field, of which at least 75 credits from the second cycle, or
– Have obtained a second-cycle degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or similar specialization.
Additional requirements: To fully benefit from this doctoral project, the following are also required:
– Knowledge of statistics and experimental design
– Ability to communicate with non-academic stakeholders
– Structured, creative, and problem-solving analytical ability
– Independent, diligent, and persistent work approach
– Good ability to work independently, formulate, and solve research problems
– Good written and oral communication skills
– Good collaborative ability
– Good oral and written proficiency in English
– Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish (mandatory, as interviews will be conducted in Swedish and Swedish-language documents will be provided).
Other qualifications (merits):
– Experience in handling drinking water supply and pipeline networks in municipal systems
– Experience in change processes in large organizations.
offer benefits
Lund University, as a public authority, offers its employees specific benefits, generous annual leave, and favorable occupational pension schemes. The position is a full-time fixed-term employment, to start as soon as possible. Third-cycle studies at LTH are full-time for four years. If teaching or other departmental duties are involved, the employment period is extended accordingly. Doctoral student employment is regulated by Chapter 5, Sections 1-7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).
To apply for this job email your details to kenneth_m.persson@tvrl.lth.se