Ph.D. student position at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland

The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks applicants to fill a full time Ph.D. student position for 2 years for the project Carbon Sink Cities (CSC).

Research unit: CSC provides an excellent opportunity to produce a dissertation while working with important themes as a member of an inspiring research team of high-performing academics. In addition to the dissertation, the doctoral candidate will get to produce novel scientific evidence of issues with high societal relevance. The research group includes 5 other PhD students and ~10 researchers overall focusing on different aspects of sustainability in the built environment. Depending on their background and interests, they will place to the Environmental studies doctoral program or to the Environmental engineering doctoral program. 

Project background: Currently the built environment is a huge source of emissions, but it should rapidly transform into a big carbon sink and storage. In present, almost all construction uses synthetic materials with high emission intensities: concrete, steel, asphalt, glass, aluminum and so on. In the main projections to remain under 1.5 degrees warming the only option is to reach below zero emissions overall, and this is unlikely to happen if there is no deep and rapid transformation in the built environment sector. Changing the built environment from a source to a sink is a realistic possibility, but requires a major paradigm shift. The built environment should in just 10-20 years become first carbon neutral and then a huge carbon storage by growing the construction materials, and then storing the carbon in built environment structures.

• MSc degree in architecture, engineering, economics, ecological sciences, planning or from another relevant field.
• Knowledge about environmental assessments are considered assets.
• Skills in statistics and mathematical modeling are also valued.
• Independence and strong communication skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

The selected candidate must send a formal application for PhD studentship at the University of Iceland and the position is contingent on acceptance into the Ph.D. program.

The expected starting date is 1.8.2022. The funded position is for 2 years with the current grant. Funding for the final PhD year will be sought for during the funded period.

The application shall include, written in English 

All applications will be answered and applicants will be notified of the employment decision when a final decision has been made. Applications will be valid for six months from the end of the application deadline.

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland - https://english.hi.is/node/50017

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy - https://english.hi.is/node/24581/  

The University of Iceland is a flourishing community of knowledge and is a very dynamic and interesting workplace. Our values are academic freedom, professionalism and equality. The University strives to provide flexibility and encourages participation in the development of the study programs and research in all fields within the realm of the University. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs ca. 390 people involved with teaching and research. The School offers an international working environment, where currently about quarter of all employees and graduate students are international, and that number is increasing each year. The school has around 2000 students and numerous graduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences is proud of its¿ diversity and reform-minded environment where knowledge acquisition and sharing is paramount.

Application deadline is 16.05.2022

Jukka Taneli Heinonen

[email protected]

8230064