PhD positions in energy technology with focus on Energy Efficiency

Umeå University, Sweden

Updated: over 2 years ago
Deadline: 01 Dec 2021

The Department of Applied Physics and Electronics currently has around 100 employees and conducts research in fields such as Energy Technology, Laser spectroscopy, Medical Technology, machine learning and embedded systems, as well as robotics. For further information visit: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-applied-physics-and-electronics/

The Energy Efficiency research at Umeå University aims to improve the sustainability in the built environment, and the activities range from buildings’ embodied energy to operational energy use. The ongoing research projects investigate energy utilization in the life cycle of buildings, occupants’ behavior, indoor thermal comfort, building information modeling, and AI for a digitalized and sustainable built environment.

We are recruiting up to two PhD students in energy efficiency with focus on sustainable built environment. Application deadline is December 1, 2021.

Project description
The transition to a long-term secure energy supply is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In this context, the construction sector has a major impact on the possibilities of reducing climate change.

The PhD project aims to propose, implement and evaluate measures and methods for a sustainable built environment. 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 investigation include: big-data together with machine learning to evaluate energy savings and emission reductions; Building Information Modelling (BIM) and generative design for building retrofitting, as well as occupant-building interaction in a digitalized built environment.

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 the equivalent of 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 Umeå University.

Qualifications
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level the applicant is required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level, or equivalent qualifications.

In addition to these general requirements, the applicant is required to have completed at least 120 credits within the field of energy technology, or other subject areas considered to be directly relevant for third-cycle studies, for example sustainable building and city. 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.

Documented knowledge and experience of big-data analysis, machine learning, building/city information modelling, virtual reality, and urban/building energy modelling are important merits. 

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.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

  • A cover letter with a brief description of your qualifications, the motivation for applying and your contact information (2 pages maximum);
  • Description of your research interest relevant to the project (2 pages maximum);
  • Curriculum vitae;
  • Certified copies of degree certificates.
  • Certified list of university courses with grades. Note that for international applicants the grading system should be explained in brief;
  • A copy of master thesis and publications (if any);
  • Contact information of two references;

    • The application, including attached documents, must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Application deadline is December 1, 2021.

    For more information contact:

    Professor Weizhuo Lu, [email protected] , +46 73-836 95 36 or

    Professor Thomas Olofsson, [email protected] , +46 90-786 67 10


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