PhD student in building materials

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will get to work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered secure employment, high-quality supervision, and space to grow, both as a researcher and as a person.

The research area building materials (https://www.ltu.se/forskning/forskningsamnen/byggmaterial) consists of 15 people, including four professors and two postdocs. The subject focuses on the development of sustainable materials and production technologies for the construction industry, as well as research and education related to ice and arctic conditions.

Subject description

Building materials includes sustainable building materials and their application, recycling and reuse, as well as applied building physics, with a particular focus on arctic conditions.

Project description

The production of Portland cement still cannot be qualified as an environmentally friendly process due to high CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, limestone calcination, and the negative effects of mining. Several solutions are being implemented worldwide, but none have provided an effective solution. This project aims to study the possibility of replacing the high-temperature clinker process with a cold synthesis based on mechanochemistry.

Tasks

As a PhD student, you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies, as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Tasks include laboratory testing, data analysis, and modeling.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must have a master's degree in materials science or chemistry. You should have basic knowledge of building materials and you should be fluent in English. The following work and research experience will be an advantage: molecular dynamics modeling (e.g., with LAMMPS open source), thermodynamic modeling, XRD with Rietveld analysis, SEM, TG, DSC, micro-CT, particle size analysis, calorimetry, and AFM.

For further information about specific doctoral education, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd

Information

Employment as a PhD student is time-limited to 4 years; teaching and other departmental duties may be added up to 20% of full-time. Place of work: Luleå. Intended start date: January 1, 2027

For further information, please contact professor Andrzej Cwirzen, 0920-49 3387, andrzej.cwirzen@ltu.se

Union representatives:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037, diana.chroneer@ltu.se

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721, marika.vesterberg@ltu.se

Application

We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, where you attach a cover letter as well as CV/resume and copies of verified degree certificates. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English. Recruitment communication and any interviews may take place in English.

Last application date: August 15, 2026

Reference number: 3267-2026