Data-driven understanding and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructures

Do you want to develop your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is a matter of course? With us, you will work with dedicated colleagues, access to modern research infrastructure and good opportunities to attract external funding. You are given the space to make a real difference for your students, your research and society at large.

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 postdoctoral researcher 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 heavy rainfall. 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.

In the project, the postdoc 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

The work tasks as a postdoc are varied. You work independently to plan and carry out your studies and write scientific articles, in collaboration with industry and other project partners. In between, you will participate in seminars and conferences in Sweden and internationally. In addition, you may have the opportunity to try out the role of teacher and administrative tasks may also occur (up to 20% of full time). You will have two supervisors by your side.

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment, a doctoral degree or equivalent foreign degree in water resources engineering, water resources science, civil engineering or other deemed equivalent is required. It is an advantage if your degree was obtained no more than three years before the closing date for applications for this position. If there are special reasons, those who have completed a doctoral degree earlier may be considered, for example in the case of various types of statutory leave.

The applicant must have the ability to work independently, take the initiative and independently initiate new research areas. Knowledge of English is necessary to be able to present research results at international conferences and in scientific publications. It is meritorious if you have knowledge and experience in:

• Stormwater management, Bayesian statistics, sediment transport processes, hydraulics/hydrology and thermodynamics (e.g. heat transfer processes)
• . Sensor-based monitoring, field sampling, machine learning, programming and working with large environmental data sets

Knowledge of Swedish or other Scandinavian languages is an advantage, as it facilitates communication with stakeholders and participation in teaching activities. Possession of a driver's license is also an advantage, as it facilitates research work. Upon request, you should be able to provide contact details for two referees.

Information

This position is a full-time position for two years. Place of employment is Luleå. Intended start date: fall 2026.

For further information, please contact Postdoc

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 verified diplomas. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both application and diplomas should be written in Swedish or English.

Date for application: 17 August, 2026

Reference number: 3516-2026