PhD Student in Energy and Environmental Engineering

Mälardalen University (MDU) is the youngest university in Sweden. In line with our vision, to be a progressive and collaborative University where we shape a sustainable future together, we wish to make a difference.

Do you want to be involved and contribute to our development?

Together, we can create a sustainable future through knowledge and innovation. We believe that knowledge and new perspectives are best attained and reached together in collaboration with others – our colleagues, students, the private and public sectors, both nationally and internationally.

At the school of Business, Society and Engineering, our students study for, among other things, university and civil engineers, political scientists and economists. With us, the research focuses are industrial economics and organization and the energy of the future. Our work takes place in collaboration and in strategic agreements with companies, organizations and authorities in the region.

Employment: Temporary employment
Period of employment/Start date: According to agreement
Scope: Full time
Number of positions: 1
Closing date for application: 2025-12-09
Campus location: Västerås
School: School of Business, Society and Engineering, (EST)
Third-cycle subject: Energy and Environmental Engineering

Admission to third-cycle (doctoral) education is regulated in MDU’s admission regulations, which compile national and local rules for eligibility and admission to doctoral studies at Mälardalen University. More information about third-cycle studies at MDU.

The doctoral position includes full-time employment as a doctoral student for the duration of the education, which corresponds to four years.

A doctoral student should primarily devote themselves to their own research training.

The duties include research training activities related to environmental technology with a focus on life cycle analyses of bio-based plastics. Additional duties may include departmental duties, such as teaching and supervising bachelor's and master's degree theses, up to a maximum of 20% of a full-time position per year. The position is for 4–5 years, depending on the extent of the departmental duties.               

To be admitted to third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements of the subject and be deemed to have the capacity to benefit from the education.

General entry requirements for third-cycle education (according to Chapter 7, Section 39 HF) are met by those who have:

• completed a second-cycle (Master's level) degree,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of wich at least at second-cycle level, or 
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.   

Specific entry requirements

Specific entry requirements to be admitted to Energy and Environmental Engineering are met if a person has a degree (or equivalent studies) at advanced level in an engineering or natural sciences area/subject sufficiently relevant for the third-cycle education project in question.

Among applicants who meet both the general and specific entry requirements, selection shall be based on their ability to benefit from the education (Chapter 7, Section 41 HF).

In addition, selection will be made based on the following assessment criteria: 

• Master's degree in environmental or chemical engineering with a focus on waste management, recycling, and/or reuse of materials, as well as life cycle assessment (LCA) or equivalent.
• Very good knowledge of English, both for writing scientific articles and for presenting research results orally.
• Good understanding of life cycle assessment (LCA), its methodology, and analysis using software (e.g., OpenLCA, SimaPro).
• Experience of laboratory and field sampling and associated analysis.
• Knowledge of various techniques/instruments such as ICP, UV, etc.
• Experience of statistical analysis of experimental results.
• Experience of using various software programs such as Matlab, Aspen Plus, or other software suitable for relevant calculations and analysis.
• Knowledge of the Swedish language. 

In an overall assessment of suitability, emphasis is also placed on personal abilities. All employees at MDU are expected to cooperate and treat colleagues and students with respect, take responsibility for the organisation and their own work duties and contribute to a positive work environment.

This doctoral project will be based on close collaboration with industry, and therefore requires strong collaboration and communication skills. Other personal qualities needed to succeed in this role include the ability to work independently and be thorough, structured, analytical, and solution-oriented. You need to be clear and engaged in your communication, be an active listener, and be receptive to feedback. You need to be goal-oriented and strive to deliver high quality through prioritization, planning, and action. You also need to be flexible and adaptable.

We value the qualities that an even distribution of age and gender, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity, can contribute to the organization.

The application is to be completed online. Please submit your application by clicking on the "Apply" button below.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and will reach the university no later than closing date for application. The application should include the required documents to confirm eligibility and provide grounds for merit assessment. Degree certificates and/or transcripts must always be included and must be officially issued by the degree-awarding institution.

Documents may be submitted in Swedish or English. Supporting documents in other languages must be translated into Swedish or English by an authorized translator. Copies of the original documents in the original language must also be included.

If the admitted candidate requires a residence permit to stay in Sweden and pursue their studies, and if the studies require physical presence at Mälardalen University, the university reserves the right to withdraw the admission decision if a valid residence permit cannot be presented by the start date of the studies.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Union representatives:

Saco-S saco-s@mdu.se
Susanne Meijer ST-OFR/S, tel: +46 21-10 14 89

We decline all contact with recruiters and salespersons of advertisements. We have made our strategic choices for this recruitment.

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