Luleå University of Technology is one of Europe's leading universities in operation and maintenance technology. The university offers a unique opportunity to develop comprehensive research skills by working in a multidisciplinary multicultural environment. We are now looking for a highly motivated PhD student who can contribute to science and technology in operation and maintenance technology with a focus on prognostics and health management of railways.

Research subject
Operations and maintenance engineering is concerned with the development of methods, models, and tools to ensure high system reliability and effective and efficient maintenance processes for both new and existing systems.

The subject area of Operations and Maintenance Engineering is multidisciplinary in nature, crossing boundaries and separating many disciplines of science, emerging technology, and art. The division's activities are focused on finding synergies with other engineering disciplines and building networks with many active research groups, locally and globally. With the increasing awareness of industry and academia that maintenance ensures safe and sustainable performance and creates additional value for the business process, the division has worked in collaboration with industries, academia, and society. For more information, please visit Operation and Maintenance - Luleå University of Technology (ltu.se)

Project description
You will work on the European Network Project “Prognostics and Health Management for Railway asset maintenance”. The main aim of this project is to develop an integrated maintenance decision support system by facilitating data acquisition, diagnosis, prognosis, and health management of railway assets (for ex., catenary, pantograph, switches and crossings, track). The proposed project will develop a predictive maintenance approach using hybrid modelling (physics based and data-driven such as AI/ML), data analytics, and visualisation, for decision support. You will also get the  opportunity to interact with other PhD students and researchers in this European project. IN addition, you will get the opportunity to visit various other institutions in Europe such as Switzerland, Slovenia, Slovakia, etc., for a few months.

Duties
A Ph.D. position involves both theoretical and practical work. You will learn how to run long-term and challenging projects, from problem formulation to final reporting. In addition, you will be trained in scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and presenting results at national and international conferences. You will also participate in third cycle (research) courses. This includes both general courses on topics such as scientific method and project management, courses within the operation and maintenance.

Qualifications
In order to be eligible for employment you must have a master’s level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits, for example, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, transport engineering, communication engineering, computer science engineering, material science engineering, industrial engineering, or any other equivalent engineering. Strong skills in programming for AI/ML using Python/R/MATLAB/any other languages is required. Knowledge of railway engineering is considered as a merit.

Strong interest, curiosity and passion for research are prerequisites along with personal qualities relevant for postgraduate education, such as presentation and communication skills and analytical thinking ability. A high level of English, written and spoken, is expected. A continuing academic career at Luleå University of Technology can be an opportunity for further development.

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

Information
Fulltime fixed-term employment for four years (up to maximum five years). Departmental duties (such as teaching) may be added up to max 20% of fulltime. Placement: Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden. Start as soon as possible, or according to agreement.

For further information about the position, please contact Adithya Thaduri, Associate Professor, +46 920 49 3444, adithya.thaduri@ltu.se or Uday Kumar, +46 920 49 1826 Uday.kumar@ltu.se

Union representatives: SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se, 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 application 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.

Closing date for applications: February 27, 2023
Reference number: 190-2023