PhD student in information technology
University West is a central and leading actor for education, research, and collaboration that supports the transition to a sustainable future – regionally, nationally, and internationally. Our 12,000 students and 460 employees create the conditions for society's digital transformation and sustainable societal development through high-quality education and research in selected areas. Welcome to a vibrant campus in the heart of Skaraborg.
About us The Department of Engineering Sciences at University West is characterized by a creative and dynamic environment, which includes a very good collaborative climate, modern facilities, and excellent industrial collaboration. For more than a decade, the Department of Engineering Sciences has shown how a "smaller" university can achieve excellent applied research and high-quality education, as well as generate the funds and technical innovations that characterize a successful research environment. We work with an integrated educational value chain with clear added value for the student, where our new engineering programs are CDIO-aligned and students have good opportunities for internships and work with our industrial partners. The right candidate will join a team whose work is of great importance to industry, society, and academia.
Doctoral studies are conducted within the subject of information technology, which at University West is defined as the subject that deals with how information is represented, processed, and communicated in artificial and natural systems, as well as how information technology systems are used and developed for the purpose of achieving useful system solutions for individuals, organizations, or society.
Your role You will be part of a research group working with AI-driven and simulation-based decision support for robust and sustainable production. As a doctoral student, you will develop intelligent methods that help manufacturing companies maintain stable operations, improve energy efficiency, and adapt to disruptions and changing energy conditions.
The project will combine digital twins, discrete event simulation, predictive modeling, multi-objective optimization, and AI-based decision support to support production planning and production control. The research will address production sequencing, resource allocation, energy-aware scheduling, and disruption management, with the possible use of coordinated multi-agent-based AI systems to balance productivity, resilience, energy cost, use of renewable energy, and environmental performance.
The work will be carried out in close collaboration with industrial partners and is expected to contribute to both scientific knowledge and practical decision support solutions for the manufacturing industry.
The employment includes full-time doctoral studies, including courses and research.
We are looking for you who have: a degree at an advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 hp, of which at least 60 hp are at an advanced level, or otherwise acquired within or outside Sweden knowledge mainly corresponding to this. completed course requirements of at least 60 hp, including an independent thesis project comprising at least 15 hp at an advanced level, within the subject of information technology, related application areas, or other subject areas assessed as directly relevant to doctoral work within the subject of information technology, such as computer science, information technology, production engineering, industrial engineering, automation engineering, or other relevant subject areas. documented language skills in English equivalent to the Swedish high school course English 6. This can also be demonstrated through an internationally recognized test such as IELTS (total score 6.5), TOEFL (total score 90), PTE (total score 62), etc.
We will also evaluate the following assessment criteria during recruitment: Good ability to undertake education at the doctoral level. Good knowledge and experience of modeling and simulation of manufacturing systems, for example discrete event simulation. Good knowledge and experience of machine learning, reinforcement learning, and AI-based optimization for production control. Good knowledge and experience of multi-objective optimization and predictive modeling. Good programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages. Ability to work independently, plan and conduct research, and achieve set goals. Good communication and collaboration skills. Experience of industrial collaboration, applied research, or practical implementation.
In this position, great importance will be placed on good knowledge and experience of modeling and simulation of manufacturing systems, for example discrete event simulation, as well as good knowledge and experience of machine learning, reinforcement learning, and AI-based optimization for production control.
Type of employment: The employment is a fixed-term position until the completion of a doctoral degree, but for a maximum of 4 years. The scope of employment is 100%. Salary is paid according to the local agreement on the salary scale for doctoral students. Only those who are admitted or have already been admitted to a doctoral program may be employed as a doctoral student.
Application deadline: 8 November 2026 Diary number: HS 2026/531 Contact information: Information about the position is provided by Head of Department Stefan Ericson (stefan.ericson@his.se) and Assistant Professor Masood Fathi (masood.fathi@his.se). Union information is provided by Anders Johansson (Saco-S) or Maria Carlstedt (ST). All persons can be reached via the University switchboard 0500-44 80 00.
Application
You apply for the position via our website, www.his.se/jobb, by clicking on ”Ansök” at the bottom of the advertisement. There you can also read more about the University's recruitment process as well as the benefits you have as an employee with us. Welcome with your application!
The following documents must be attached to your application: Cover letter including a statement of interest, where you describe in English your motivation, your research interests, and your expectations for the doctoral studies. CV Certificates, grades, and other merit documents that you, as an applicant, wish to invoke. Degree certificates and transcripts of records. Thesis at the master's level. Any publications.
Contact the HR department at mailto:hr-specialister.hr@his.se if you have publications that cannot be attached electronically directly in the application. The publications must be provided to the university no later than one week after the application deadline.