Data-driven understanding and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructures
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.
The research subject Urban Water Engineering at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, is looking for a driven and committed PhD student with a focus on data-driven monitoring and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructures, to support evidence-based maintenance that contributes to improved water quality and strengthened urban resilience to cloudbursts. Take the opportunity to belong to one of the foremost stormwater research groups in the world with an international, creative and dynamic environment in close collaboration with industry and universities worldwide.
The research subject Urban Water Engineering has a strong position in research and education in urban water systems, mainly in the areas of stormwater and wastewater systems. The group includes about 50 people consisting of a number of senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors and about 20 PhD students. The group has an extensive national and international collaboration network. The overall goal of the group is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. For more information see http://www.ltu.se/vatten
Description
Urban water engineering covers the entire urban water system (storm, drinking and wastewater) with regard to collection, transport and treatment as well as organization/planning. The research aims at good socio-economic and environmental performance, wise use of resources and safety and health of citizens.
Project description
Stormwater transports a wide range of pollutants from urban environments to receiving waters, posing major challenges for the protection of surface waters and coastal ecosystems. Urban stormwater facilities, such as stormwater drains and ponds, play an important role by retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, their functioning is dependent on effective operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite large spatial and temporal variations in sediment accumulation. This project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research effort aimed at enabling a shift towards a more data-driven and environmentally sustainable maintenance of urban stormwater facilities. The overall goal is to reduce pollution loads to coastal and marine environments and support sustainable urban water management.
The research project will focus on developing a data-driven understanding of sediment accumulation processes in urban stormwater facilities. This includes long-term monitoring using high-resolution sensors to capture sediment dynamics during rain events and between different seasons. Based on these data, predictive models will be developed to estimate sediment accumulation and the remaining functionality of the facilities. The results will support more effective maintenance strategies by identifying when and where maintenance interventions are needed to maximize environmental performance and operational efficiency.
Within the project, the PhD student will collaborate with municipalities and international research partners and communicate results both to the industry and to international researchers through LTU's well-established competence network.
Work tasks
A PhD position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a PhD student, you will be trained in scientific work in the form of data collection and analysis, as well as writing and publishing scientific articles and at national and international conferences. You will also take a number of doctoral courses. In addition, you may have the opportunity to try out the role of teacher and/or work on other research projects as a departmental position. Along the way, you will have two or three supervisors to support you in your work. The research work for this project will specifically include experimental work (planning, organizing and conducting, for example, sediment sampling, lab studies and pilot experiments).
Qualifications
Applicants should have a Master's degree in Engineering with a specialization in Environment and Water, Natural Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering, Road and Water, Chemistry, or other specialization that is considered equivalent. Specific knowledge of stormwater management, sediment transport processes and hydraulics/hydrology, as well as experience in sensor-based monitoring, sampling, statistics, machine learning, thermodynamics (e.g. heat transfer processes) and programming, is an advantage. Furthermore, good ability to work independently and drive projects forward and to familiarize yourself with new issues is needed.
The position requires good knowledge of English, as the research results will be presented at international conferences and in English-language scientific journals. Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is an advantage. Having a driving license for a car is meritorious.
The applicant must be able to provide contact information for two reference persons upon request.
For further information on specific doctoral education 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 of 4 years, teaching and other departmental duties may constitute a supplement corresponding to up to 20% of the original scope. Place of employment Luleå. Intended start date: Fall 2026
For further information, please contact Postdoctoral Fellow
Haoyu Wei 0920-491728, mailto:haoyu.wei@ltu.se
Union Representative
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 mailto:diana.chroneer@ltu.se
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 mailto: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 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 17, 2026
Reference number: 3514-2026