Project Assistant within Research in Circular Construction

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 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.

The Umeå School of Architecture (UMA) is looking for a Project Assistant to support an upcoming research project focusing on circular construction and the use of reclaimed and reused building materials. The employment is part-time (50%) on a permanent basis with starting date in October 2026 or according to agreement.

Project background 

The position is connected to the two-year research and development project Scalable Processes for Reuse in the Construction Sector, a collaborative initiative between Umeå University and ABC Umeå funded by Tillväxtverket. Within the project, the Umeå School of Architecture is responsible for developing methods and knowledge for circular and material-based design through research, documentation, and contribute to the development of a full-scale demonstration project. The work includes identifying and documenting reusable building materials and components, exploring their architectural and technical potential, and producing a handbook of design principles and construction strategies for circular building practices. The project contributes to strengthening regional capacity for material reuse and circular construction in northern Sweden.

Tasks 

The Project Assistant will support research, documentation, and project coordination activities related to circular design and material reuse.

Duties include:

• supporting communication and coordination with project partners, including ABC Ombruka Umeå and external stakeholders;
• collecting, organizing, and maintaining information on reclaimed building materials, components, and material inventories;
• assisting with documentation, data management, and reporting within the research project;
• supporting the development of a handbook on circular design, including the compilation of design examples, technical information, material data, drawings, photographs, and project documentation;
• documenting research activities, design explorations, material studies, and project outcomes;
• assisting in the preparation and organization of workshops, seminars, exhibitions, stakeholder meetings, and public presentations;
• supporting activities related to the design, documentation, and dissemination of a full-scale demonstration project based on reclaimed building materials;
• contributing to literature reviews, precedent studies, and case-study documentation related to circular construction, reuse, and material-driven design;
• carrying out other project-related duties as assigned by the project leader.

Qualifications 

To be eligible for the position, applicants must have:

• a master's degree in architecture or equivalent;
• documented experience in circular construction, material reuse, and sustainable architectural design through academic and/or professional work;
• knowledge of building construction, building materials, and construction methods relevant to the Swedish context;
• basic knowledge of building physics and material performance;
• strong skills in architectural drawing, visual communication, and graphic representation;
• proficiency in digital design tools for 2D and 3D representation (e.g. AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit, SketchUp, or similar);
• proficiency in graphic design and layout software (e.g. Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop);
• experience in collecting, organizing, and documenting technical and design-related information;
• communication skills and ability to engage with project partners and stakeholders;
• proficiency in visual communication and the preparation of high-quality graphic and written material;
• excellent written and spoken in both Swedish and English.

Meritorious qualifications 

The following qualifications are considered an advantage:

• experience with research projects or applied research in architecture, construction, or sustainability;
• experience of working with reclaimed, reused, or bio-based building materials;
• knowledge of life-cycle assessment, circular economy, or material flow analysis;
• experience of producing publications, manuals, exhibitions, reports, or research dissemination materials;
• experience of collaborating with external stakeholders, public organizations, or industry partners;

Strong emphasis will be placed on personal qualities, particularly the ability to work both independently and collaboratively and also communication skills. 

Employment conditions 

The position is an employment of 50% on a permanent basis. The place of employment is the Umeå School of Architecture, located in Umeå, Sweden. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the architectural technology teaching team and the research project partners. 

Application 

The application should include:

• a short cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in the position
• a CV of max 2 pages A4
• a short portfolio or selected work samples max 10 pages A4

The application must be submitted through Varbi no later than 29 September. 

Additional information 

For further information about the position, please contact:
Julio Diarte Almada, Head of Reearch at UMA
[email protected]