Quality Manager (M/F)

Do you want to develop your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is a given? With us, you will work with dedicated colleagues, have access to modern research infrastructure, and enjoy good opportunities to attract external funding. You will be given the space to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering conducts research and education within the mining, construction, and environmental sectors. The department has a strong experimental and applied profile, with well-equipped laboratories and close collaboration with industry. Approximately 70% of the research is externally funded, and we have extensive international collaborations. The Department of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering conducts research and education in rock mechanics, mining engineering, and geotechnics, with a strong focus on the safe, efficient, and sustainable design of underground and open-pit facilities. The department works closely with industry to handle practical engineering challenges and develop solutions for future mining and infrastructure projects.

Project Description

Deep underground extraction of critical raw materials requires rapid and reliable design decisions under limited and continuously evolving geological and geomechanical information. Although empirical stability chart methods are still widely used in underground mines due to their practical usability and transparency, their application is still largely manual, static, and limited when it comes to managing uncertainties in the design stage.

The project aims to develop a digital and updatable workflow for stability charts that enables rapid and risk-informed design of underground mines by structuring geological, geomechanical, geometric, and backfill-related data into a transparent and traceable digital framework for stability assessment and engineering decision support.

The project combines empirical rock mechanics, geological interpretation, case-based mine design analysis, and the development of digital workflows. Focus will be on uncertainties in preliminary mine design, the behavior of backfilled stopes during sequential mining, and the integration of digital geological and geomechanical data sources such as 3D point clouds and discontinuity mapping. A prototype tool for digital stability chart analysis will be developed and evaluated using representative cases from underground mines, while simultaneously laying the foundation for future probabilistic and AI-assisted applications in mine design.

Tasks

• Develop and apply a digital workflow for stability assessment of stopes based on the Stability Graph Method.
• Compile, structure, and analyze geological, geomechanical, structural, and production-related data from underground mines.
• Investigate sources of uncertainty, the behavior of backfilled stopes, and the stability of rock openings during sequential mining.
• Apply digital methods for the analysis of geological and geomechanical data, including point cloud analysis and discontinuity mapping.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of a prototype tool for rapid screening of rock opening stability and engineering decision support.
• Contribute to technical reports, scientific publications, presentations, and future research applications within digital geomechanics and underground mine design.

Qualifications

For the first research engineer, a degree from a college or university in mining and rock engineering is required.

Requirements

• Ability to work with geological, geotechnical, and geometric mining data from various sources and organize them into structured workflows.
• Strong analytical ability as well as the ability to combine empirical rock mechanics, geological interpretation, and the development of digital workflows.
• Experience with software in mining engineering, geomechanics, or data processing, such as Deswik, CloudCompare, MATLAB, Python, Rocscience, Leapfrog, Maptek, or similar tools.
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with academic, geological, and industrial partners.
• Good ability to communicate orally and in writing in English.

Meritorious Qualifications

• Experience in 3D point cloud analysis, discontinuity mapping, LiDAR data, or digital structural characterization.
• Experience with empirical and probabilistic methods for stability assessment of stopes, especially the Stability Graph Method.
• Experience with numerical modeling methods or software (e.g., FEM, DEM, or LS-DYNA).

Information

The position covers full-time for up to three months from the start date. Location: Luleå. Start date from September 1 or by agreement.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Yang Zou, University Lecturer, 0920-49 3470, mailto:yang.zou@ltu.se

Daniel Johansson, Professor, 0920-49 2361, mailto:daniel.johansson@ltu.se

Union representatives:

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

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

Application

We would prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, where you attach a cover letter as well as a 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.

Last application date: August 10, 2026

Reference number: 3762–2026