PhD student in energy technology

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will 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 Department of Energy Science is seeking someone who wants to pursue a PhD within the subject area of energy technology. Your research will focus on the modeling and analysis of sustainable forest-based fuels for gas turbines, and their possible role(s) in the transition to a fossil-free energy system. Energy technology is located at the Department of Energy Science within the Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, which is a subject-wise broad institution with many successful research groups and recognized educational programs. At energy technology, we have close cooperation with industries and authorities in both research projects and student projects. The research is of a high international class and we collaborate with researchers worldwide. Within the field of energy system analysis, the research is oriented towards the transition to a sustainable future, which includes studies related to new technologies, process integration and policy instruments, as well as overall energy system aspects at local, national and supranational levels. We collaborate interdisciplinary with several social science subjects. The work will be based on the IEA-ETSAP TIMES model framework. The TIMES group has a good national and international reputation and is a sought-after partner in both academic and public contexts. The group focuses on energy system optimization, applied system analysis, scenario analysis, sustainable energy and climate transition.

Subject description

Energy technology encompasses the development of technology and processes for a sustainable energy supply. The research is oriented towards biofuel technology and energy-efficient utilization in industry and society.

Project description

The PhD project is part of (phase 2) of the national competence center CESTAP (Competence cEntre in Sustainable Turbine Fuels for Aviation and Power) which is funded by Energimyndigheten, academia and industry actors. The work will explore various possible roles for sustainable forest-based fuels for gas turbines in mobile (primarily aviation) and stationary (for electricity production) applications. The analyses shall be based on an energy system perspective that also takes into account developments in other parts of the energy system, society's future energy and electricity needs, set climate and other environmental goals, various resource constraints, etc. The PhD student's role is to develop a module for the existing TIMES-Sweden model, which is then used to analyze different raw materials, production pathways for fuels and turbine applications, with the goal of identifying cost-effective pathways to a future fossil-free and resource-efficient Swedish energy system.

Tasks

A PhD position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a PhD student, you are trained in scientific work by publishing scientific articles in journals and presenting research results at national and international conferences. You also take mandatory and elective courses. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to try the teaching role (departmental service). The work in this PhD position includes, among other things:

• collecting and analyzing relevant data and information,
• developing and using TIMES-based models,
• scenario analysis and communicating the results from it,
• writing scientific articles and reports,
• scientific research presentation both nationally and internationally,
• participation in seminar activities within the department and the research group, as well as
• supporting less experienced TIMES modelers (during the latter part of the PhD position).

Departmental service includes, for example, responsibility for parts of the courses Sustainable Energy Systems and Environmental System Analysis, as well as assisting with the supervision of student projects within the Civilingenjörsprogrammet Energiteknik.

Qualifications

For eligibility, a master's degree in engineering (civilingenjörsexamen), or equivalent basic eligibility requirements, Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 7 Section 39, with a focus on environment and energy, engineering physics, industrial economics or equivalent, is required. Since the research is highly communicative, a good ability to express oneself in speech and writing in English is required, both with researchers within different disciplines and with industry and social actors. Qualifying for this position includes:

• Good understanding of energy systems and their development, especially at a national level.
• Knowledge and skills within energy technology.
• Basic understanding of modeling and quantitative analysis methods.
• Ability to formulate, manage and analyze scientific problems.

Meritorious for this position is:

• Experience in modeling energy systems, especially at a national level.
• Experience with optimization models and/or other quantitative modeling methods.
• Experience in scenario analysis linked to climate goals, environmental goals or energy transition.
• Documented knowledge of sustainable energy transition.
• Ability to understand and make oneself understood in conversations in Swedish, as some information is only available in Swedish and parts of the knowledge exchange take place in Swedish contexts and with Swedish actors. For further information about specific doctoral education see; Study plans for doctoral education within the technical faculty

Information

PhD studies are conducted full-time over 4 years and include participation in courses at Luleå tekniska universitet and possibly at other universities, as well as presentation of your research internationally. Departmental service up to 20% of full-time may be added. The place of work is Luleå. Commencement by agreement, however no earlier than 2027-01-01. For each position, a preliminary salary range is indicated, which is based on the position's requirements, responsibilities and market position. For further information, you are welcome to contact: Anna Krook-Riekkola, Professor, 0920–492552 anna.krook-riekkola@ltu.se Union contact personsApplication We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below where you attach a personal letter as well as CV/resume, copies of verified degree certificates, as well as your answers to the questions found in the attached document. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.

Last application date: 14 October, 2026

Reference number: 3982–2026