The internationally leading Urban Water Engineering research group at Luleå University of Technology has two exciting positions available in stormwater management, at PhD (ref nr 2190-2023) and post-doctoral (ref nr 2191-2023) levels. Working within the VINNOVA-funded DRIZZLE Centre of Excellence for stormwater management provides an opportunity to work closely with companies, municipalities and researchers in undertaking needs driven research to reduce the risk of flooding in cities, minimize pollution loads discharging to receiving waters, and capture the opportunities that stormwater runoff can offer.

The Urban Water Engineering research group is a global leader in urban water systems research and education, with a particular focus on stormwater, wastewater and treatment using nature-based solutions. The overall aim of the group is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. Being part of the group involves working in an international and creative environment, with ca 45 staff members from 20 different countries including Swedish and international adjunct professors and 25 doctoral candidates.

Subject description
Urban Water Engineering encompasses the entire urban water system (storm drains, drinking water supply and wastewater) with respect to collection, transport, and treatment, as well as organization and planning. The research aims to encourage a strong economy, clean environment, and the wise use of resources, while preserving the public’s health and safety.

Project description
A key effect of a warming climate is changes in the magnitude, frequency, and duration of rainfall events. As a result, cities face challenges related to both managing stormwater (i.e., increased flooding risks and need to protect receiving water quality) and increased periods of drought, with droughts now experienced for part of the year even in the relatively wetter Northern European climates. As climate change progresses and rates of urbanization expand, these challenges are expected to increase, with demand to close the water loop (collect and store stormwater for use in times of drought) increasing. Effective management and planning of stormwater systems requires detailed knowledge about the systems behavior. Whilst different approaches exist to gain this information (including field measurements and computer models), each have their own advantages and disadvantages which have yet to be rigorously evaluated and their associated uncertainties (and methods for their reduction) developed. The aim of this project is to investigate novel field and model-based approaches to understanding urban stormwater processes, e.g., whether more types and/or locations of field measurements (and therefore less extrapolation using models) or vice-versa will generate more robust understandings of stormwater systems, together with implications on costs. The project will include investigations into different options for measurements in stormwater systems, as well as different options for modelling such systems, including the use of measurement data for model calibration.

Duties
You will work independently and with your supervisors to plan and carry out studies, write scientific papers and your PhD thesis. In between research tasks, you will take PhD courses and participate in national and international conferences and seminars. You will belong to two Research Schools: the national Water Research School offering a large number of courses and the department’s Research School, facilitating a strong start to your studies during your first year and increasing your network within the university and this dynamic international research field.

Qualifications
To be employed as a PhD student you need a MSc degree or equivalent in the field of water and environment, natural resources engineering or civil engineering. Candidates with a degree in machine learning or similar that are interested in applying their knowledge in the field of stormwater management are also welcome to apply. It is advantageous if you have knowledge of urban water engineering, hydraulic modelling, hydrological modelling, and/or machine learning methods and/or experience working with hydrological, meteorological, or environmental measurements.

Good oral and written skills in English are essential since the research results are presented at international conferences and in international journals. Furthermore, it is important to be able to work independently, be able to lead your project forward and have the capability to penetrate new areas and questions. We expect you to have a driving license or take a driving license as soon as possible. Swedish language skills are a merit. The applicant should be able provide two reference persons on request.

For further information about a specific subject see:
* General curriculum for PhD studies in Urban Water Engineering

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years (up to maximum of 5 years, depending on the amount of department duty). Teaching and other department duties may be added up to a maximum of 20% of fulltime employment.

For further information about the position, please contact
Associate Senior Lecturer Ico Broekhuizen, Ico.Broekhuizen@ltu.se
Professor Maria Viklander, Maria.Viklander@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: June 12, 2023
Reference number: LTU-2190-2023