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 laboratory equipment and excellent funding opportunities. You’ll be offered secure employment, high-quality supervision, and room to grow—both as a researcher and as a person.
The Water and Wastewater Engineering program at the Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Resources, Luleå University of Technology, is seeking a driven and committed doctoral student who wishes to investigate how smart monitoring and predictive modeling can contribute to more efficient and environmentally sustainable maintenance of stormwater facilities. The research focuses on increasing our understanding of sediment accumulation through sensor-based monitoring and data analysis, with the goal of contributing to improved water quality and reduced flood risk in urban environments. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to become part of one of the world’s leading research groups in the field of stormwater, with an international, creative, and dynamic research environment and close collaboration with industry partners and universities worldwide.
The Water and Wastewater Engineering research area holds a strong position in research and education on urban water systems, primarily in the fields of stormwater and wastewater systems. The group consists of approximately 50 people, including several senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors, and about 20 doctoral students. The group has an extensive national and international network of collaborators. The group’s overarching goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. For more information, see http://www.ltu.se/vatten
Course Description
Water and wastewater engineering encompasses the entire urban water system (stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater) with regard to collection, transport, and treatment, as well as organization and planning. The research aims to promote a healthy economy and environment, wise use of resources, and the safety and health of citizens.
Project Description
Stormwater transports a wide range of pollutants from urban environments to receiving waters, posing significant challenges for the protection of surface waters and coastal ecosystems. Urban stormwater facilities, such as stormwater basins and ponds, play a key role by retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, their function depends on effective operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite significant spatial and temporal variations in sediment accumulation. This project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at facilitating a transition toward more data-driven and environmentally sustainable maintenance of urban stormwater infrastructure. The overall goal is to reduce pollution loads to coastal and marine environments and to support sustainable urban water management.
The research project will focus on developing a data-driven understanding of sediment accumulation processes in urban stormwater infrastructure. This includes long-term monitoring using high-resolution sensors to capture sediment dynamics during rainfall events and across different seasons. Based on these data, predictive models will be developed to estimate sediment accumulation and the facilities’ remaining functionality. The results will support more effective maintenance strategies by identifying when and where maintenance interventions are needed to maximize environmental performance and operational efficiency.
As part of the project, the doctoral student will collaborate with municipalities and international research partners and communicate results to both the industry and international researchers through LTU’s well-established network of expertise.
Job Responsibilities
A doctoral position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a doctoral student, you will receive training in scientific work, including data collection and analysis, as well as writing and publishing scientific articles and presenting at national and international conferences. You will also take a number of doctoral courses. In addition, you may have the opportunity to try your hand at teaching and/or work on other research projects as part of your departmental duties. Throughout your studies, you will have two to three advisors who will support you in your work. The research for this project will specifically involve experimental work (planning, organizing, and conducting, for example, sediment sampling, laboratory studies, and pilot tests).
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a Master of Science in Engineering or a Master’s degree with a specialization in Environment and Water, Natural Resource Engineering, Civil Engineering, Road and Water Engineering, Chemistry, or another field deemed equivalent. Knowledge of stormwater management, hydraulics/hydrology, statistics, machine learning, thermodynamics (e.g., heat transfer processes), and programming, as well as experience with sensor-based monitoring, is considered a plus. We also value the ability to work independently, take initiative, and familiarize oneself with new areas of research.
The position requires a good command of English, as research results will be presented at international conferences and published in English-language scientific journals. Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is a plus. A driver’s license is a plus.
Applicants must be able to provide contact information for two references upon request.
For further information on specific doctoral programs, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd
Information
Employment as a doctoral student is a fixed-term position for 4 years; teaching and other departmental duties may be added up to 20% of full-time hours. Place of employment: Luleå. Expected start date: Spring 2027
For further information, please contact postdoctoral researcher
Haoyu Wei at 0920–491728, haoyu.wei@ltu.se
A preliminary salary range is specified for each position, based on the position’s requirements, responsibilities, and market conditions. https://www.ltu.se/om-universitetet/arbeta-hos-oss/att-soka-en-anstallning#h-Informationomlonetransparens
Union representatives: https://www.ltu.se/om-universitetet/arbeta-hos-oss/att-soka-en-anstallning#h-Union Contacts
Application
We prefer that you apply for the position using the application button below, where you should attach a cover letter, your resume/CV, and copies of your diplomas. Please include the reference number below in your application. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.
Application deadline: November 30, 2026
Reference number: 5719-2026