Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

We are recruiting up to three PhD students in Energy Technology with specialization in Energy Efficiency in Buildings. The position will open on February 1, 2021 (exact starting date can be negotiated).

Project description
The development of a long-term secure energy supply is one of the global society's biggest challenges. In that context, reducing the climate impact from the building sector has large impact. The scope for this call for new PhD students meets that challenge by targeting novel opportunities to propose, implement and evaluate strategies for increased building energy performance. This emphasizes deeper understanding of the impacts of alternative measures and strategies, especially how they may change spatially and temporally under climate change. Important perspectives for further investigation include research on how big-data together with machine learning can be used to evaluate energy savings and emission reductions. Building Information Modelling (BIM) are also included, as well as building construction process simulations, in order to achieve a smart and sustainable built environment.

Competence requirements
The applicant should have a Master of Science degree in energy technologies, construction engineering and management, statistics and data science, machine learning or equivalent qualifications. Prerequisites to be admitted to the postgraduate education include 240 ECTS credits of higher education studies, of which 60 ECTS credits should be on an advanced (master) level.

In addition to these general requirements, the applicant is required to have completed at least 120 ECTS credits in the fields of energy technologies, construction engineering and management, statistics and data science or other subjects directly relevant to the research. Applicants who in some other system, either within Sweden or abroad, have acquired largely equivalent knowledge are also eligible. The requirements must be fulfilled at the time of admission to postgraduate education and need not be met at the time of application.

As a PhD student, the applicant should have the ability to work systematically, thoroughly and independently, as well as in collaboration with others. Further, the applicant must be familiar with theoretical engineering science tools and have good working knowledge of the research area. The planned work requires an analytical and creative mind. The applicant should be Proficient user in both oral and written English. Courses and documented experience of working with simulations and statistical methods, big-data, machine learning, BIM and urban energy modelling are important merits.  

Terms of employment
The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree and the main assignment for the doctoral student is thus to be active in research, study doctoral courses, and possibly participate in teaching of courses at undergraduate level. The employment is limited to four years at full time or up to five years if teaching or other departmental work (max 20 %) is performed. The salary is fixed according to the established salary level for doctoral students at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå University.

Other information
The selection will be based on the following criteria:

  1. Merits applicable to the positions to date;
  2. Research potential expressed in relevant application documents;
  3. Interviews

Application
Your application should include the following:

  1. A cover letter with a brief description of your qualifications and motivation for applying, and your contact details (max. 2 pages)
  2. Curriculum vitae.
  3. Description of your future research interest relevant to the positions (max. 2 pages)
  4. Verified copies of relevant degree diploma(s) and certificates.
  5. A list of university courses with grades. Note that for international applicants the grading system should be briefly explained.
  6. A copy of master thesis and publications (if any).
  7. Contact information of two reference persons.

The application, including attached documents, must be written in English or Swedish. The application must be submitted no later than January 8th 2021 via Umeå University’s e- recruitment system Varbi.

Information
For more information contact

Professor Weizhuo Lu, +46 73 836 9536, weizhuo.lu@umu.se or

Professor Thomas Olofsson, +46 90-786 67 10, thomas.olofsson@umu.se or

Associate Professor Gireesh Nair, +46 90 786 88 04, gireesh.nair@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application!

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2021-02-01 or as agreed
Salary Monthly Salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-1596-20
Contact
  • Thomas Olofsson, 090-7866710
  • Weizhuo Lu, 073-836 95 36
  • Gireesh Nair, 090-786 88 04
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 20.Nov.2020
Last application date 08.Jan.2021 11:59 PM CET

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