Would you like to advance your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is a given? With us, you’ll work alongside dedicated colleagues, have access to modern research infrastructure, and enjoy excellent opportunities to secure external funding. You’ll have the freedom to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Resources conducts research and offers education in the fields of mining, civil engineering, and the environment. The department has a strong experimental and applied profile, with well-equipped laboratories and close collaboration with industry. Approximately 70% of the research is externally funded, and we have extensive international collaborations. The Division of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering conducts research and education in rock mechanics, mining engineering, and geotechnical engineering, with a strong focus on the safe, efficient, and sustainable design of underground and open-pit facilities. The department works closely with industry to address practical engineering challenges and develop solutions for the mining and infrastructure projects of the future.

Project Description

Deep underground extraction of critical raw materials requires rapid and reliable design decisions based on limited and continuously evolving geological and geomechanical information. Although empirical stability diagram methods are still widely used in underground mining due to their practicality and transparency, their application remains largely manual, static, and limited in terms of managing uncertainties during the design phase.

The project aims to develop a digital and updatable stability diagram workflow that enables rapid and risk-informed design of underground mines by structuring geological, geomechanical, geometric, and backfill-related data within a transparent and traceable digital framework for stability assessment and engineering decision support.

The project combines empirical rock mechanics, geological interpretation, case-based mine design analysis, and the development of digital workflows. The focus will be on uncertainties in preliminary mine design, the behavior of backfilled mining rooms during sequential mining, and the integration of digital geological and geomechanical data sources such as 3D point clouds and discontinuity mapping. A prototype tool for digital stability diagram analysis will be developed and evaluated using representative cases from underground mines, while laying the groundwork for future probabilistic and AI-assisted applications in mine design.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and apply a digital workflow for stability assessment of mining rooms based on the Stability Graph Method.
• Compile, organize, and analyze geological, geomechanical, structural, and production-related data from underground mines.
• Investigate sources of uncertainty, the behavior of backfilled mining areas, and the stability of rock masses during sequential mining.
• Apply digital methods for the analysis of geological and geomechanical data, including point cloud analysis and discontinuity mapping.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of a prototype tool for rapid screening of rock mass stability and engineering decision support.
• Contribute to technical reports, scientific publications, presentations, and future research proposals in the fields of digital geomechanics and underground mine design.

Qualifications

For the position of Senior Research Engineer, a college or university degree in mining and rock engineering is required.

Requirements

• Ability to work with geological, geotechnical, and geometric mining data from various sources and organize this data into structured workflows.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to combine empirical rock mechanics, geological interpretation, and the development of digital workflows.
• Experience with software in mining engineering, geomechanics, or data processing, such as Deswik, CloudCompare, MATLAB, Python, Rocscience, Leapfrog, Maptek, or similar tools.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with academic, geological, and industrial partners.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English. 

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with 3D point cloud analysis, discontinuity mapping, LiDAR data, or digital structural characterization.
• Experience with empirical and probabilistic methods for stability assessment of mining workings, particularly the Stability Graph Method.
• Experience with numerical modeling methods or software (e.g., FEM, DEM, or LS-DYNA).

Information

The position is full-time for up to three months from the start date. Location: Luleå. Start date: September 1 or as agreed.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Yang Zou, Associate Professor, 0920-49 3470, mailto:yang.zou@ltu.se

Daniel Johansson, Professor, 0920-49 2361, mailto:daniel.johansson@ltu.se

Union representatives:

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 using the application button below, where you should attach a cover letter, your resume/CV, and copies of your verified 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: August 10, 2026

Reference number: 3762–2026