Staff Scientist in Urban Morphology, Urban Analytics and Social-Ecological Sensing

Chalmers University of Technology; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 640,000 - 820,000; Full time

Job summary

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg seeks a Staff Scientist to advance urban morphology research. You will provide expert support for spatial modelling, data integration and sensor-based studies in urban environments, contributing to the group's scientific output and research infrastructure.

You will collaborate across disciplines, supervise PhD candidates, and help develop external proposals, while operating in a dynamic, inclusive research setting that builds on Spatial Morphology

Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Urban Studies, Geography or another closely related field, with a research profile relevant to quantitative urban morphology and/or social-ecological urban research.
• Strong expertise in the quantitative analysis of urban form and spatial structure, including experience with GIS and spatial modelling.
• Advanced experience in geospatial data processing, analysis and visualisation, including the integration of data from multiple spatial and temporal sources.
• Experience developing and applying quantitative methods and reproducible analytical workflows, including programming in Python, R or similar.
• Experience with empirical data collection and/or sensor-based methods relevant to studying environmental, ecological or human processes in urban environments.
• Experience conducting advanced scientific analyses and contributing to peer-reviewed research.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries and provide scientific and methodological support within a research environment.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English (Swedish language courses are offered).

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain methods, datasets and spatial models for the quantitative analysis of the built and natural environment.
• Develop and maintain workflows for integrating, processing and analysing large spatial, longitudinal and sensor-based datasets.
• Develop and implement methods for social-ecological sensing, including field-based collection and processing of data on ecological conditions, environmental exposures, human activity and health.
• Integrate sensor observations with spatial models to support empirical validation, model development and longitudinal monitoring.
• Contribute specialist methodological expertise across the research group and collaborate with researchers in urban ecology, biodiversity, environmental health and related fields.
• Provide scientific and methodological support to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers in collaboration with the group's research leaders. This may also include co-supervision of PhD candidates, with a focus on specialist support.
• Contribute specialist expertise to joint scientific publications and the communication of research findings.
• Contribute to external research proposals and collaborations that strengthen the group's established and planned research activities.

Skills

GIS & spatial modelling

Python or R programming

Sensor-based methods

Urban morphology analytics

Collaborative research

English proficiency

Education

Doctoral degree in Urban Planning/Urban Design/Architecture/Urban Studies/Geography

Tools

GIS software

Space Syntax

Job description

For Questions About The Position, Please Contact Meta Berghauser Pont

Chalmers University of Technology strives for academic excellence while addressing the challenges and needs of society and industry. We offer a creative and dynamic environment for research, education, innovation, and applied science. We are now looking for a Staff Scientist to join our team and help strengthen our ongoing research.

About The Role

As a Staff Scientist, you will become part of a professional research environment where your specialist competence contributes to the quality and continuity of ongoing and planned scientific work. You will support research activities with your expertise and work closely with colleagues and research leaders.

We are looking for a Staff Scientist with specialist knowledge in Urban Morphology, Urban Analytics and Social-Ecological Sensing. You will provide scientific and methodological support in spatial modelling, the integration and analysis of spatial, longitudinal and sensor-based datasets, and empirical studies using field-based sensor technologies. A key part of the role is to contribute to the development and maintenance of a shared research infrastructure supporting projects across the research group.

About The Division And Department

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering tackles contemporary and emerging challenges for the built and natural environment, ranging from resource utilisation, pollution and climate change to digitalisation and inequality. We combine expertise in architecture, civil engineering and related disciplines to build a better world.

The Urban Design and Planning division conducts research and education in urban design and planning at all scales, from single urban spaces to larger urban landscapes and entire regions, with a focus on how urban design and planning can support sustainable development.

You will join the Spatial Morphology Group (SMoG), an internationally oriented research group investigating how urban form influences urban life through spatial analysis and empirically validated models. The group brings together expertise in urban morphology, Space Syntax, GIS, urban analytics, pedestrian modelling and Social-Ecological Urbanism. Current research extends this approach to ecological conditions, environmental exposure, health and wellbeing.

You will work in an interdisciplinary research environment connecting urban planning and design with environmental and health research. We value collaboration, intellectual openness and an inclusive research environment.

Your Responsibilities

As a Staff Scientist, you will provide advanced scientific, technical and methodological support to strengthen the group's research activities. Your responsibilities include:

• Develop, implement and maintain methods, datasets and spatial models for the quantitative analysis of the built and natural environment.
• Develop and maintain workflows for integrating, processing and analysing large spatial, longitudinal and sensor-based datasets.
• Develop and implement methods for social-ecological sensing, including field-based collection and processing of data on ecological conditions, environmental exposures, human activity and health.
• Integrate sensor observations with spatial models to support empirical validation, model development and longitudinal monitoring.
• Contribute specialist methodological expertise across the research group and collaborate with researchers in urban ecology, biodiversity, environmental health and related fields.
• Provide scientific and methodological support to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers in collaboration with the group's research leaders. This may also include co-supervision of PhD candidates, with a focus on specialist support.
• Contribute specialist expertise to joint scientific publications and the communication of research findings.
• Contribute to external research proposals and collaborations that strengthen the group's established and planned research activities.

Qualifications And Merits

To qualify for this position, you should have:

• A doctoral degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Urban Studies, Geography or another closely related field, with a research profile relevant to quantitative urban morphology and/or social-ecological urban research.
• Strong expertise in the quantitative analysis of urban form and spatial structure, including experience with GIS and spatial modelling.
• Advanced experience in geospatial data processing, analysis and visualisation, including the integration of data from multiple spatial and temporal sources.
• Experience developing and applying quantitative methods and reproducible analytical workflows, including programming in Python, R or similar.
• Experience with empirical data collection and/or sensor-based methods relevant to studying environmental, ecological or human processes in urban environments.
• Experience conducting advanced scientific analyses and contributing to peer-reviewed research.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries and provide scientific and methodological support within a research environment.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English (Swedish language courses are offered).

The Following Qualifications Are Considered Meritorious

• Experience with field-based sensing and monitoring, for example environmental, acoustic, pedestrian or mobility sensing.
• Experience integrating sensor observations with GIS-based spatial models, including model validation and longitudinal monitoring.
• Expertise in areas relevant to Social-Ecological Urbanism, such as biodiversity and urban ecology, environmental exposure and health, pedestrian movement or human-environment interactions.
• Experience developing and maintaining spatial databases, data infrastructures or automated geospatial workflows.
• Experience with longitudinal spatial analysis and large or complex geospatial datasets.
• Experience co-supervising junior researchers and contributing to interdisciplinary research proposals.
• Peer-reviewed publications in leading journals.
• Experience in writing research applications.

Employment

This is a full-time permanent position.

What We Offer

Chalmers provides a dynamic and inspiring environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg, combining academic excellence with a strong commitment to sustainability, equality, and collaboration.

Read more about working at Chalmers and our employee benefits. Learn more about life in Gothenburg and Sweden’s family-friendly policies, including generous parental leave, subsidised childcare, free education, and universal healthcare, at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers promotes gender balance and actively works with equality and inclusion initiatives, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence.

Application deadline: 6 November, 2026

Contact

Meta Berghauser Pont

Professor in Urban Morphology and Urban Design

[e-mail]

Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position.

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society. Chalmers was founded in 1829 and still has the same motto today: Avancez – forward.