Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a doctoral student with us, you’ll work closely with leading researchers in a strong, international research environment, with access to advanced lab equipment and excellent funding opportunities. You’ll be offered secure employment, high-quality supervision, and the opportunity to grow, both as a researcher and as a person.

The Department of Energy Science is looking for someone who wants to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of energy engineering. Your research will focus on the modeling and analysis of sustainable forest-based fuels for gas turbines and their potential role(s) in the transition to a fossil-free energy system.Energy Engineering is part of the Division of Energy Science at the Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, which is a broad-based department with many successful research groups and recognized educational programs. In Energy Technology, we collaborate closely with industry and government agencies on both research projects and student projects. Our research is of a high international standard, and we collaborate with researchers worldwide. In the field of energy systems analysis, research is focused on the transition to a sustainable future, which includes studies related to new technologies, process integration, and policy instruments, as well as overarching energy system aspects at the local, national, and supranational levels. We engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with several social science disciplines. The work will be based on the IEA-ETSAP TIMES model framework. The TIMES group has a strong national and international reputation and is a sought-after partner in both academic and public contexts. The group focuses on energy system optimization, applied systems analysis, scenario analysis, and sustainable energy and climate transition.

Subject Description

Energy Engineering encompasses the development of technologies and processes for a sustainable energy supply. The research is focused on biofuel technology and energy-efficient utilization in industry and society.

Project Description

This doctoral project is part of (Phase 2) of the national center of excellence CESTAP (Competence cEntre in Sustainable Turbine Fuels for Aviation and Power), which is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, academia, and industry stakeholders. The work will explore various possible roles for sustainable forest-based fuels for gas turbines in mobile (primarily aviation) and stationary (for electricity generation) applications. The analyses will be based on an energy system perspective that also takes into account developments in other parts of the energy system, society’s future energy and electricity needs, established climate and other environmental goals, various resource constraints, etc.The doctoral student’s role is to develop a module for the existing TIMES-Sweden model, which will then be used to analyze various feedstocks, fuel production pathways, and turbine applications, with the goal of identifying cost-effective pathways toward a future fossil-free and resource-efficient Swedish energy system.

Job Responsibilities

A doctoral position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a doctoral student, you will be trained in scientific work by publishing scientific articles in journals and presenting research results at national and international conferences. You will also take required and elective courses. In addition, you may have the opportunity to try your hand at teaching (departmental teaching assignment). The work involved in this doctoral position includes, among other things:

• collecting and analyzing relevant data and information,
• developing and using TIMES-based models,
• scenario analysis, and communicating the results thereof,
• writing scientific articles and reports,
• presenting research findings both nationally and internationally,
• participating in seminars within the department and the research group, and
• supporting less experienced TIMES modelers (during the latter part of the doctoral position).

Duties at the department include, for example, teaching modules in the courses “Sustainable Energy Systems” and “Environmental Systems Analysis,” as well as assisting with the supervision of student projects within the Civil Engineering Program in Energy Technology.

Qualifications

Eligibility requires a Master of Science in Engineering degree, or equivalent basic eligibility requirements as specified in Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance, with a specialization in environment and energy, engineering physics, industrial economics, or equivalent. Since the research is highly collaborative, strong verbal and written communication skills in English are required, both with researchers in various disciplines and with industry and societal stakeholders.Qualifications for this position include:

• A good understanding of energy systems and their development, particularly at the national level.
• Knowledge and skills in energy engineering.
• A basic understanding of modeling and quantitative analysis methods.
• Ability to formulate, manage, and analyze scientific problems.

The following are considered a plus for this position:

• Experience in modeling energy systems, particularly at the national level.
• Experience with optimization models and/or other quantitative modeling methods.
• Experience with scenario analysis related to climate goals, environmental goals, or the energy transition.
• Documented knowledge of sustainable energy transition.
• Ability to understand Swedish and make oneself understood in conversations in Swedish, as certain information is only available in Swedish and parts of the knowledge exchange take place in Swedish contexts and with Swedish stakeholders.For further information on specific doctoral programs, see: Study Plans for Doctoral Education at the Faculty of Engineering

Information

Doctoral studies are full-time for 4 years and include participation in courses at Luleå University of Technology and possibly at other universities, as well as the presentation of your research internationally. Departmental duties amounting to up to 20% of full-time employment may be required. The place of employment is Luleå. Start date to be agreed upon, but no earlier than January 1, 2027. For each position, a preliminary salary range is specified based on the position’s requirements, responsibilities, and market conditions.For further information, please contact: Anna Krook-Riekkola, Professor, 0920–492552 anna.krook-riekkola@ltu.se   Union representativesApplicationWe prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, where you should attach a cover letter and resume/list of qualifications, copies of verified degree certificates, and your answers to the questions found in the attached document. Please be sure to include the reference number below in your application. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.

Application deadline: October 14, 2026

Reference number: 3982–2026