PhD Student in Water Engineering

Description:

Data-driven understanding and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered secure employment, high-quality supervision, and room to grow, both as a researcher and as a person. The Water Engineering research area at the Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Resources at Luleå University of Technology is seeking a driven and engaged PhD student focused on data-driven monitoring and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure, to support evidence-based maintenance that contributes to improved water quality and strengthened urban resilience during extreme rainfall. Take the opportunity to join one of the world's leading stormwater research groups with an international, creative, and dynamic environment in close collaboration with industry and universities worldwide. The Water Engineering research area has a strong position in research and education within urban water systems, primarily in the areas of stormwater and wastewater systems. The group includes approximately 50 people consisting of several senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors, and approximately 20 PhD students. The group has an extensive national and international collaboration network. The group's overall goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. For more information, see http://www.ltu.se/vatten Research Area Description Water Engineering covers the entire urban water system (stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater) with regard to collection, transport, and treatment as well as organization/planning. The research aims at good economic and environmental outcomes, wise resource utilization, and citizens' safety and health. Project Description Stormwater transports a broad spectrum of pollutants from urban environments to receiving water bodies, creating major challenges for the protection of surface waters and coastal ecosystems. Urban stormwater facilities, such as catch basins and retention ponds, play an important role by retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, their function depends on effective operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite large spatial and temporal variations in sediment accumulation. This project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at enabling a shift toward more data-driven and environmentally sustainable maintenance of urban stormwater facilities. The overall goal is to reduce pollution loads to coastal and marine environments and support sustainable urban water management. The research project will focus on developing a data-driven understanding of sediment accumulation processes in urban stormwater facilities. This includes long-term monitoring using high-resolution sensors to capture sediment dynamics during rainfall events and across different seasons. Based on these data, predictive models will be developed to estimate sediment accumulation and the remaining functionality of the facilities. The results will support more efficient maintenance strategies by identifying when and where maintenance efforts are needed to maximize environmental performance and operational efficiency. Within the project, the PhD student will collaborate with municipalities and international research partners and communicate results to both industry and international researchers through LTU's well-established competence networks. Job Duties A PhD student position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a PhD student, you will be trained in scientific work through data collection and analysis, as well as writing and publishing scientific articles and presenting at national and international conferences. You will also take a number of PhD courses. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to try your hand at teaching and/or work on other research projects as departmental service. Along the way, you will have two to three supervisors supporting you in your work. The research work for this project will specifically include experimental work (planning, organizing, and conducting, for example, sediment sampling, laboratory studies, and pilot tests). Qualifications Applicants should have a Master's degree or equivalent with a focus on Environment and Water, Natural Resource Technology, Civil Engineering, Road and Water Engineering, Chemistry, or another field deemed equivalent. Specific knowledge of stormwater management, sediment transport processes, and hydraulics/hydrology, as well as experience with sensor-based monitoring, sampling, statistics, machine learning, thermodynamics (e.g., heat transfer processes), and programming are advantageous. Furthermore, a strong ability to work independently and drive projects forward and to familiarize yourself with new issues is required. The position requires good proficiency in English, as research results will be presented at international conferences and in English-language scientific journals. Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is advantageous. Having a driver's license is advantageous. Applicants must be able to provide contact information for two reference persons upon request. For additional information about PhD education, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd Information Employment as a PhD student is a fixed-term position for 4 years; teaching and other departmental service may constitute an addition of up to 20% of the original extent. Place of work: Luleå. Intended start date: Fall 2026 For further information, please contact postdoctoral researcher Haoyu Wei 0920-491728, mailto:[email protected] Union Representatives SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 mailto:[email protected] OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 mailto:[email protected] Application We prefer that you apply for the position using the application button below where you attach a personal letter as well as a CV/credentials list and copies of your degree certificates. Mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English. Application Deadline: August 17, 2026 Reference Number: 3514-2026Data-driven understanding and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered secure employment, high-quality supervision, and room to grow, both as a researcher and as a person. The Water Engineering research area at the Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Resources at Luleå…

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job

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active

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public

City

Luleå

GPS

65.6152976, 22.0451587copyopen in

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Published

29. 5. 2026

Edited

24. 7. 2026

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