Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced lab equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered a secure employment, high quality supervision and room to grow, both as a researcher and as a person.
We want to strengthen our research group in construction production and construction technology at the Division of Industrial and Sustainable Construction with a new PhD student to build knowledge on how reuse can be established as an integral part of construction companies' regular operations. The research group conducts research and education in the construction process - from early planning and design through construction to management. Our core competencies are currently in management and digitization of the construction process and in industrial construction and production systems. The research group is a leader in Sweden in its core area and has about 20 employees, of which 5 are PhD students. The research is applied and based on relevant issues in close collaboration with the construction sector's stakeholders.
Description of subject
Construction Production and Technology includes research on the management and development of construction-related projects and activities, as well as research on construction-related methods, techniques and their applications for sustainable community building. The subject includes in particular research linked to digitalization and industrial processes.
Project description
The PhD project is carried out within the project "From pilot to practice: how reuse can be established in the everyday life of the construction company", which is funded by SBUF. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with NCC, but also other actors in the construction and real estate sector who have central roles in enabling reuse in construction projects.
The research project is aimed at increasing knowledge about how reuse can be integrated into the ordinary activities of construction companies, with a particular focus on the early stages of projects such as design, where the conditions for reuse are largely shaped. The project is conducted as practice-oriented ongoing research with a focus on contractor-driven construction projects, where organization, governance and collaboration are studied in relation to how reuse is actually implemented in the daily project work.
Through qualitative case studies, the project will analyze how goals and ambitions for reuse are translated into concrete decisions, working methods and routines in the design. Special attention will be paid to how roles, responsibilities and coordination develop in the meeting between established working methods and new circular requirements. Furthermore, how reuse is handled in relation to project logics, such as time, cost and quality, is studied.
The project is expected to contribute with both empirical and theoretical knowledge on how reuse can be integrated into everyday construction production. The results will provide a basis for the development of working methods, routines and forms of governance that support a more circular construction process, as well as contribute to increased understanding of how new working methods are established and institutionalized in the construction sector.
Tasks
The work in the current research project means that you conduct practice-oriented research in collaboration with industry actors, where data collection takes place through, for example, interviews, observations and document studies in ongoing construction projects. As a PhD student, you will also be trained in scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and presentations at national and international conferences. In addition, you will take compulsory and elective doctoral courses. In the departmental service included in the role, you will also have the opportunity to contribute to the department's teaching of students in courses and degree projects.
Qualifications
The eligibility requirements are a Master of Science in Engineering (or equivalent basic eligibility requirements, Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 7, Section 39) in a relevant field, i.e. civil engineering, civil engineering, architecture or industrial economics. You are expected to take initiative, develop your own ideas and work independently but also have a high level of collaboration. As the research work is highly communicative, we require that you have very good ability to express yourself in speech and writing in English.
Meritorious criteria are:
- knowledge in project management and control, especially in early stages
- knowledge and skills in planning, implementation and control of value-creating processes, for example in design, production and / or logistics.
- experience of working in or close to construction projects, for example with contractors, consultants or clients
- good knowledge of Swedish, in speech and writing
For further information on specific doctoral education see: https://www.ltu.se/research/Ututbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd.
A continued academic career at Luleå University of Technology can be an opportunity for further development.
Information
Employment as a doctoral student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other departmental duties can be added up to 20% of full time, which extends employment to a maximum of 5 years. Place of employment is Luleå. Access according to agreement.
For further information, please contact Emilia Nilsson Vestola, postdoctoral fellow, 0920-49 1050, emilia.nilsson.vestola@ltu.se.
Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 marika.vesterberg@ltu.se
Application
We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below where you attach a cover letter as well as CV/resume and copies of verified diplomas. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and the diploma must be written in Swedish or English.
Date for application: August 16, 2026
Reference number: 3232-2026