Doctoral studentship in Building Technology

Linnéuniversitetet; Växjö kommun; On-site; SEK 312,000 - 384,000; Full time

Job summary

Linnaeus University invites applications for a doctoral studentship in Building Technology at Växjö campus. The PhD student will join the Linnaeus University Centre for Competitive Timber Structures and work on optimized timber connections using multi-objective optimization, with a focus on environmental impact.

Starting Oct 1, 2026, the position is full-time; travel to Kalmar may be required; the appointee will take at least 60 credits of courses and may participate in national and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of structural engineering, computational mechanics and programming.
• Good command of English, both oral and written.
• Experience with research methods and data analysis is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to optimize timber connections for structural performance and environmental impact.
• Explore dowel-type and carpentry-based connections and multi-objective optimization.
• Study reliability, material variability, and moisture effects within design frameworks.
• Use optimization algorithms or neural networks alongside mechanical models.
• Possibly perform destructive and non-destructive tests on connections.

Skills

Structural engineering

Computational mechanics

Programming

Education

Minimum 90 higher education credits in Building Technology / Wood science

Job description

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you'll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that's needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That's what we've created - and you are invited.

Change starts here!

The Faculty of Technology has a broad remit, spanning eight different departments, each contributing to education and research at Linnaeus University. Our educational offerings range from short courses lasting only a few weeks or months, to five-year programmes leading to a Master of Science in Engineering. Our research meets societal needs across several broad fields - in both the short and long term - and includes both basic research and applied research in collaboration with external stakeholders.

As part of the Faculty of Technology, the Department of Building Technology collaborates extensively with industry partners in both research and education. The department works with other related departments to foster a creative environment for high-quality research and stimulating education. Research in building technology encompasses timber engineering; steel, concrete, hybrid and composite structural engineering; building physics; building materials; structural health monitoring; and life cycle analysis.

This doctoral studentship will be part of the Linnaeus University Centre (Lnuc) for Competitive Timber Structures , which conducts leading research on the use of forest-based biomaterials to develop and improve wood-based building materials, components, and systems, with the aim of reducing the climate impact of the construction sector and creating long-term carbon sinks through wood-based products and timber buildings. The aim of Lnuc Competitive Timber Structures is to advance research-based knowledge in the field and build research capacity to support a holistic approach to the design of sustainable timber structures, thereby promoting the transition to a green and climate-neutral construction sector.

Subject area for the position: Building Technology

Location until further notice: Växjö. Since Linnaeus University is located in both Växjö and Kalmar, travel between the two may be required.

Term and hours: The doctoral studentship is limited in time in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 5, Section 7). The studentship is full-time.

Starting date: October 1, 2026, or by agreement

Job Description

The PhD student will work within a research team in building technology and timber engineering to contribute to the development of advanced design approaches for optimized connections in timber structures. The doctoral student’s main responsibility will be to conduct research aimed at optimizing timber connections with respect to structural performance, reliability, and environmental impact.

The research will focus on different types of timber connections, potentially including dowel-type fastener connections as well as carpentry-based connections. A key aspect of the project is multi-objective optimization, where structural efficiency is balanced against other factors like the carbon footprint. The connection design will be studied not as an isolated component, but as an integral part of the overall timber structural system, influenced by boundary conditions, loading scenarios, and the global mechanical behaviour of the structure.

Closely connected to the optimization of connections is the prediction of their reliability. The research may include studies on homogenization effects in multiple-fastener connections, as well as the influence of material variability and load redistribution. Furthermore, the effects of moisture-induced volumetric changes, and potential connection degradation, may be considered within the optimization framework.

The work will involve the use of optimization algorithms and/or neural networks in combination with mechanical models for predicting connection behaviour. Methods for carbon footprint estimation will be integrated to support environmentally informed design decisions. The work may also involve carrying out destructive and non-destructive tests on connections and structural elements. The project aims to contribute to the development of reliable, resource-efficient, and low-carbon timber connection solutions for modern timber structures.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote themselves to their own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time position.

As part of the training, the PhD student will take courses of at least 60 credits as agreed with the supervisors. Attendance at national and international courses and conferences is supported, as well as exchanges with other partners outside the project.

Eligibility

A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if they:

• Have been awarded a degree at the second-cycle level
• Have at least 240 credits of passed courses, of which at least 60 credits are at the second cycle level; or
• Have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way, in or outside Sweden.

A person meets the specific requirements for third-cycle studies if they:

• Have a minimum of 90 higher education credits in one of the subjects Building Technology, Wood science and technology or in subjects related to the doctoral level studies, or equivalent knowledge acquired in some other manner either in Sweden or abroad, and
• Have a good command of English, both orally and in writing

Other requirements

In-depth Knowledge In The Following Areas

• Structural engineering,
• Computational mechanics including the finite element method,
• Programming - implementation of methods and procedures in computer code.

Desirable Qualifications

• Wood mechanics and timber engineering,
• Connections in timber structures.

Experience Of

• Experimental/laboratory investigations,
• Teaching on different levels and communication of research results.

We are looking for you who are curious, analytical and always thorough in your work and who want to develop your ability both by taking personal responsibility and by utilizing results and insights that have been developed through the research group's previous work.

Assessment criteria

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the research work and the subject, see the Work description above. These can be shown via attached documents
• Assessed ability to work independently and ability to formulate and approach scientific problems. The assessment may be based on the degree project and a discussion about this at a possible interview
• Level of written and oral communication
• Other merits relevant to the third cycle studies, e.g. professional experience

The following will also be considered: ability to work with others, ambition, independence, and personal aptitude, as well as the applicant’s assessed ability, based on their own experience and competence, to successfully complete the studies.

More information about assessment and selection criteria can be found in each subject’s General study plan for postgraduate education, please see https://lnu.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning/

Contact

Head of department: Carmen Amaddeo, [e-mail], [phone]

Head of research: Anders Olsson, [e-mail], [phone]

Main supervisor: Thomas Bader, [e-mail], [phone]

Co-supervisor: Michael Schweigler, [e-mail], [phone]

HR-partner: Maria Furbring, [e-mail], [phone]

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Linnaeus University is an employer that meets the requirements of the European Charter for Researchers and follows the recruitment guidelines. Therefore, the university has received the HR Excellence in Research award.

Please note that a valid identification must be presented at the time of the interview.