Doctoral studentship in Building Technology with specialization in life cycle analysis of wood-based products and structures

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you’ll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that’s needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That’s what we’ve created – and you are invited.

Change starts here!

The Faculty of Technology has a wide range of activities spanning nine different departments through which Linnaeus University provides education and conducts research. The courses in technology cover everything from short courses of a few weeks or months to five-year Master of Science in Engineering courses. The research responds to society’s needs in several broad fields – both in the short and long term – with basic research and applied research in collaboration with stakeholders.

The PhD project is part of two key initiatives: the Competitive Timber Structures research profile and the BioGlue Center: Competence Centre for Bio-based Adhesives. The Competitive Timber Structures project aims to support the green transition of the construction sector by promoting innovation and sustainability in timber-based building solutions. The BioGlue Centre is a Vinnova Centre of Excellence that brings together Linnaeus University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and 12 industry partners to advance bio-based adhesives for furniture, packaging, and wood construction products through collaborative research. Both initiatives prioritize strong collaboration with industry partners to ensure practical and impactful outcomes.

This PhD project is a collaboration between the Department of Building Technology and the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology within which the Competitive Timber Structures and the BioGlue Centre are based. The departments work closely with neighboring units to foster a creative environment, offering challenging educational programs and cutting-edge research. Research in Building Technology spans over the areas of wood building technology, steel, concrete, and composite construction, building physics, historical structures, structural health monitoring, life cycle analysis, and building materials. Research in Forestry and Wood Technology covers a broad scientific field, from forest management to finished products covering all value chains, including the development of new wood-based materials for construction and housing. This includes wood science, wood technology, forest product development, and sustainability and climate impact assessment, all aimed at promoting sustainable forestry and the utilization of natural resources as the foundation for a sustainable bioeconomic society.

The Department of Building Technology offers two bachelor’s programs in Building Technology and Architectural Engineering, and a two-year master’s program in Sustainable Structural Engineering. A Master of Science in Engineering program in Civil Engineering is currently under development. The Department of Forestry and Wood Technology currently offers a bachelor’s program in Forestry and a two-year master’s program in Forestry for Green Sustainable Development.

Subject area for the position: Building Technology with specialization in life cycle analysis of wood-based products and structures
Location until further notice: Växjö. Since Linnaeus University is located in both Växjö and Kalmar, travel between the two may be required.
Term and hours: The doctoral studentship is limited in time in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 5, Section 7). The total employment period may not be longer than the equivalent full-time postgraduate studies of four years. The studentship is full-time.
Starting date: October 1, 2025, or by agreement

Job description
The PhD student will work with a team of researchers to contribute to the development of new knowledge and technical solutions to enhance the performance of wood-based products bonded with adhesives, including bio-based ones, for various applications, including packaging, furniture and construction products. The doctoral student’s main responsibility will be to conduct research aimed at identifying and advancing methodological developments in the climate and sustainability impact assessment of wood-based products and construction, including bio-adhesives, and to develop a comprehensive dynamic life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for such assessments. This framework will address the limitations of conventional static accounting of climate impacts in wood products and buildings LCA, and present dynamic parameters to consider in the dynamic LCA of such products. The work involves conducting a life cycle inventory, on-site observations in the wood and adhesive processing industries, and engaging with stakeholders for the sustainability and climate impact assessment of wood-based systems.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote themselves to their own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time position.

As part of the training, the PhD student will take courses of at least 60 credits as agreed with the supervisors. Attendance at national and international courses and conferences is supported, as well as exchanges with other partners outside the project.

Eligibility
A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if they:
– Have been awarded a degree at the second-cycle level
– Have at least 240 credits of passed courses, of which at least 60 credits are at the second-cycle level; or
– Have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way, in or outside Sweden.

A person meets the specific requirements for third-cycle studies if they:
– A minimum of 90 higher education credits in the subject Building Technology, Wood science and technology or in subjects related to the doctoral level studies, or equivalent knowledge acquired in some other manner either in Sweden or abroad, and
– A good command of English., both orally and in writing

Assessment criteria
The selection to third cycle studies is based on the assessed ability to pursue the studies. The assessment focuses mainly on study results from first cycle and second cycle studies. The following is considered:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the research area and subject, as outlined in the work description. This includes demonstrated expertise in LCA methodologies, material flow analysis, wood-based products, and timber construction. These qualifications can be evidenced through submitted documentation.
2. Assessed ability to work independently and ability to formulate and approach scientific problems. The assessment may be based on the degree project and a discussion about this at a possible interview.
3. Level of written and oral communication.
4. Other merits relevant to doctoral studies, such as professional experience, particularly in research or development related to wood materials or construction.

In addition, special emphasis is placed on intellectual curiosity, analytical ability, thoroughness, and willingness to take responsibility for one’s own development. Applicants should show the capacity to engage with and build upon results and insights from ongoing and state-of-the-art research projects. The assessment also considers personal characteristics such as ability to collaborate, ambition, independence, and overall suitability for doctoral studies, based on the applicant’s previous experience and demonstrated competence.
More information about assessment and selection criteria can be found in each subject’s General study plan for postgraduate education, please see https://lnu.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning/

Application process
Applicants are expected to submit their application in English, which should include:
– A personal letter which states the reason for being interested in the position and in which ways the research project corresponds to your interests, experience and educational background
– A CV
– Master’s degree transcripts/diploma, and copy, or link, to master degree project
– Any other relevant documents (references, recommendation letter, transcript of records)

You are welcome to submit your application no later than August 10!

Contact
Head of Department of Building Technology: Magnus Bratt,  magnus.bratt@lnu.se, +46 470-70 89 00
Head of Department of Forestry and Wood Technology: Erika Olofsson, erika.olofsson@lnu.se, +46 470-70 89 99
Main supervisor: Ambrose Dodoo, ambrose.dodoo@lnu.se, +46 72 510 2717
Co-supervisor: Bishnu C. Poudel, bishnu.poudel@lnu.se + 46 72-547 22 54
HR-partner: Karolina Arvidsson, karolina.arvidsson@lnu.se, +46 470-70 81 77

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the Apply button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 23.59 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.

Linnaeus University is an employer that meets the requirements of the European Charter for Researchers and follows the recruitment guidelines. Therefore, the university has received the HR Excellence in Research award.

Please note that a valid identification must be presented at the time of the interview.