The PhD student in Structural Engineering with a focus on the fire behaviour of biochar-added concretes is part of the Division of Structural and Fire Engineering with approx. 40 employees. The division is in turn part of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering (SBN) with approximately 430 employees. In order to strengthen research competence in structural properties after fire exposure, we are now looking for a new PhD student.

Subject description
Structural Engineering includes loads, design, sustainability, load carrying capacity, repair and strengthening, of buildings and civil
engineering structures made of concrete, steel, wood and other materials, separately or in combination, at normal conditions, in cold climate and in fire.

Project description
You will work in a dynamic team where the focus is on combining theory, modelling, simulation and experimental studies to develop the buildings of the future with sustainability and fire safety at the core. The 4-year project is funded by FORMAS. The project aims to investigate the structural properties of novel biochar-concrete, specifically, bond-slip resistance, after exposure to severe fire. Additionally, the project includes the determination of environmental performance through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). 

Duties
The PhD programme includes academic training combining both education (e.g., in the form of courses) and research (e.g., in the form of experiments and data analysis). The PhD candidate is expected to take courses to fulfil certain credit criteria (240 higher education credits, 120 credits for a licentiate degree). Furthermore, the PhD candidate will perform a plethora of experiments adhering to the work packages detailed in the project application as well as being creative and thinking outside the box to develop new processes and products. Departmental duties in the form of teaching are also included, but no more than a fifth of the working time.

Qualifications
In order to be an eligible applicant, the applicant must have a master’s or an equivalent foreign degree either in fire or structural/mechanical/civil engineering or another subject with direct application in flammability analysis, biochar production or concrete technology.

You must have documented laboratory experience in both experimental and theoretical work in fire engineering, biochar application in materials/structures and concrete technologies. You must be extremely adept in English, both in written and spoken formats. You must be a hard worker, dedicated, driven and committed individual.

It is advantageous if you have experience in determining mechanical and intrinsic fire properties of pyrolysis biochar, handling of fire furnace that follows ISO-834 curve, experience in casting concrete (with reinforcements) and measuring the performance properties. Moreover, it is a merit to have the knowledge to perform LCA. It is also advantageous if you have experience in classroom teaching and supervision of bachelor’s and master’s students at the university level.

You are expected to have the will and ability to work in groups and in international research networks.

The following is the point-by-point breakdown of the mandatory qualifications required for this position:

• Masters or an equivalent foreign degree either in fire or structural/mechanical/civil engineering or another subject with direct application in flammability analysis, biochar production or concrete technology.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience wherein the candidate has himself/herself/themselves performed experiments without the help of lab technicians.
• Extremely hard-working, committed, driven and passionate about science.
• The candidate prioritises the PhD project above anything else.
• Extremely proficient in written and spoken English.
• Establishing domicile in Luleå, Sweden i.e., being present in the campus.

For further information about a specific subject see, General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Start date as soon as possible. 

For further information about the position, please contact, universitetslektor Oisik Das, 0920-49 21 93, 079-046 98 66, oisik.das@ltu.se och professor Gabriel Sas, +46 920 49 38 35, gabriel.sas@ltu.se.

Union representatives: SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se och OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se.

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The appli-cation should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Last date to apply: 15 February 2023
Reference number: 5143-2022