PhD student in energy efficiency of buildings with a focus on life cycle optimization

Published: 2023-01-16

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

The Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering consists of three divisions: Quality Science, Industrial Engineering and Management and Civil Engineering and Built Environment. The department has approximately 100 employees and has its research and education both at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland. This position will be located at the division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment in Uppsala. For more information, see the webpage of the department .

The Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment conducts research and education in the field of construction engineering and other civil engineering subjects with a focus on energy in buildings and the built environment. Some research areas that are studied at the division, among other things, are:

• computer-driven modelling, simulation and optimization
• the potential of various energy resources and renewable energy systems in the built environment
• energy-efficient and low-carbon building design
• urban building energy modelling
• life cycle analysis.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

Duties
The building sector accounts for almost 34% of total energy use and 20% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Sweden. Therefore, to achieve the long-term target of net-zero GHG emissions in Sweden by 2045, it is necessary to realize buildings with net-zero energy use (or GHG emissions) from a life cycle perspective. Besides passive energy-efficiency measures (e.g. building materials, building shape, and energy-efficient windows), active and renewable energy efficiency measures (e.g. solar panels, and wind turbines) play a key role in the design of such buildings due to their potential to offset the surplus energy use in a building’s life cycle.

In this project, which is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, you will work with developing computer-driven models that integrate simulation and optimization algorithms (e.g. evolutionary algorithms, and machine learning) with life cycle analysis. The developed computer-driven models in this project will act as decision support tool for building actors during building design to ensure life cycle net-zero energy (or GHG emission) buildings. Additionally, the project includes case studies of both new and retrofit buildings that will be provided by industrial partners. The developed models will be used and tested in these case study buildings to provide new knowledge on which energy efficiency measures can ensure life cycle net-zero energy (or GHG emission) buildings. 

The main task for a doctoral student is the doctoral education, which includes both participation in research projects and postgraduate courses. The tasks may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, however limited to a maximum of 20% of the working hours.

Requirements
We are looking for candidates with a Master of Science degree in civil engineering, energy systems, sociotechnical systems engineering, engineering physics or another area relevant to the position, in combination with a strong background in computer-driven simulation and optimization algorithms. You must have a good ability to work in teams as well as an ability to work independently. We require good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional qualifications
Experience of life cycle analysis and building energy simulation is meriting. 

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines .

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Assistant Professor Farshid Shadram, [email protected], 018-471 5391.

Please submit your application by 27 February 2023, UFV-PA 2023/67.

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100 %

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: ST/TCO [email protected]
Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2023/67

Last application date: 2023-02-27

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