Luleå University of Technology is growing rapidly with world-leading expertise in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefits. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of almost SEK 2.1 billion per year. We are currently 1,900 employees and have 18,700 students. In the coming years, billions of kronor will be invested in Norrbotten and Västerbotten in major projects aimed at a more sustainable society nationally as well as globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these highly topical research projects and the social transformation that follows. We have a wide range of programs to match the skills that are in demand. We hope you will help us build the sustainable businesses and communities of the future. The Urban Water Systems research group within the subject of 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 who wants to immerse themselves in issues related to pollution processes in nature-based stormwater systems. Take the opportunity to belong to a research group in an international, creative and dynamic research environment and research in one of the leading stormwater research groups in the world. The Urban Water Systems research group 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 objective of the group is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. Subject description Urban water engineering covers the entire urban water system (stormwater, drinking water and wastewater) with regard to collection, transport and treatment as well as organization/planning. The research aims at a good socio-economy and environment, wise use of resources and the safety and health of citizens. Project description Urban stormwater is contaminated by a wide range of toxic substances, such as metals and organic pollutants (e.g. hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, PFAS). To reduce pollutant loads on receiving waters, nature-based solutions (e.g. vegetated, soil-based filters called stormwater biofilters, rain gardens, etc.) are increasingly used to treat stormwater in Sweden and internationally. These systems are complex and utilize many different treatment processes such as sorption, physical filtration, accumulation in plants, evaporation and biodegradation. The research project will include two main areas: designing and performing column experiments with isotopic (14C) tracing of organic pollutants to better understand the purification processes. These results will then be used in process-based computational models to link the laboratory results with field data. Results from this project will provide valuable information to improve stormwater biofilter design and thus their performance. Within this project, you will be involved in collaboration with international researchers and communicate results with practitioners through LTU's strong 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 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. Throughout the program, 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 isotope tracing experiments in a laboratory setup) and modelling (process-based models of contaminant transport processes in soil-water systems). Qualifications Applicants should have a Master's degree with specialization in Environment and Water, Natural Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Sustainable Urban Development or other specialization deemed equivalent. Knowledge of water treatment, chemical process engineering and/or contaminant transport in the environment is required. Specific knowledge of water engineering, organic environmental chemistry, geochemistry, chemical process modeling, urban hydrology, geohydrology, stormwater management, basic computer programming (e.g. Matlab or Python) and/or experience in performing column experiments and/or isotope tracing is an advantage. Furthermore, good ability to work independently and interest in working interdisciplinary 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 an advantage. The applicant must be able to provide contact details for two referees upon request. For further information on specific doctoral studies see curricula for doctoral studies in the Faculty of Engineering Information to be provided 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 is Luleå. Access according to agreement. For further information, please contact Senior Lecturer Kelsey Flanagan 0920-49491284, kelsey.flanagan @ltu.se Trade union representative: SACO-S Diana Chroneer, (+46)920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, (+46)920-49 1721 marika.vesterberg@ltu.se How to apply We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, attaching a cover letter, CV/resume and copies of diplomas. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and the diplomas should be written in Swedish or English. Deadline for applications: September 5, 2025 Reference number: 2555-2025