How to Find (and Thrive in) a PhD in Sweden: Lorenzo’s journey from KTH to the Arctic

Meet Lorenzo, originally from Italy, a former KTH master’s student in Engineering Mechanics and Digital Student Ambassador. Today, he’s pursuing a PhD in Atmospheric Physics at Stockholm University. We sat down with him to talk about his motivations, daily life as a PhD student, and advice for master’s students considering the same path.

Q: Why did you decide to take a PhD?

Lorenzo: I decided to take a PhD because I’ve always liked the idea of doing research. Throughout my academic life, one constant was that I really enjoyed studying—not exams or grades, but learning itself. I became passionate about fluid mechanics, a niche subject with a relatively small but engaging community. Being in the right environment made it easy to connect with influential people and topics, which drew me deeper into research. I also prefer taking time to digest and ponder ideas, which doesn’t always fit well in the industry where the focus is on delivering and selling products. So, both my passion for research and my career goals converged into pursuing a PhD.

Nowadays, I work with fluid mechanics in the atmosphere, focusing on modelling. I spend most of my time coding, running simulations, and analysing results. Specifically, I investigate turbulence in the lowest part of the atmosphere—the layer where we live, pollute, and move. I study how pollutants and moisture are transported by turbulence. This is important for understanding pollution spread, wind energy, and environmental management. My work sits at the intersection of theoretical turbulence studies and practical applications. I am also collaborating on the development of Neko, a Computational Fluid Dynamics code, mainly developed at KTH but also used by other institutions.

Q: Were there any courses or professors that helped you decide to pursue a PhD in this area?

L: Yes. The environment itself was helpful because professors were available and open—you could quite literally walk into their offices after lectures and ask for help. My master’s programme in engineering mechanics offered a good mix of theoretical and practical subjects. The theoretical courses, in particular, pushed me toward research. My master’s thesis and a project course in the second year were especially influential. The project course allowed me to informally reach out to professors, propose ideas, and experience what research felt like, even for a short period.

Q: How did you find your PhD opportunity? What was your process?

L: Initially, I applied for an industrial internship in fluid mechanics. The company was great, but I realised I didn’t see myself in that environment long-term. I wanted more time to study deeply, so a PhD felt natural. I found a PhD offer in my department, but they said it was too early and offered me a master’s thesis instead. After completing the thesis, I transitioned into the PhD because I liked the topic and environment.

In Sweden, PhD positions are publicly advertised on university websites, so you don’t need to email professors directly. It’s similar to applying for a job. From my experience (fluid mechanics and atmospheric science), applications usually require a CV and a motivation letter. References help. After initial screening, you may be invited to an interview. For my interview, I was asked to read a paper and answer questions beforehand. The interview itself was more about my academic journey and motivations, not technical questions. Sometimes multiple interviewers are present, which can be surprising but manageable.

Q: What is daily life like as a PhD student?

L: PhDs in Sweden last 4–5 years. You must complete 60 credits through courses, summer schools, and workshops. I’ve nearly finished mine. Teaching is optional but extends your contract. I’ve taught for a few months—it’s fun but demanding, especially explaining concepts to students with diverse backgrounds. Research isn’t just coding or reading papers; it also involves networking, attending conferences, and seminars. In my first year, I travelled a lot, which was great, but required balancing time. A typical day involves reading papers, coding, running simulations, meeting supervisors, and preparing for conferences. Independence is encouraged, but supervisors guide the big picture.

There are also some unique experiences, for example, this August, I joined an Arctic expedition with the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat aboard the icebreaker Oden. We travelled from Svalbard to the North Pole, then south toward Alaska and Russia, before returning. It was a six-week cruise with 60 scientists across disciplines. Although my work is modelling, the expedition was experimental—collecting data and conducting experiments. It was eye-opening to see how observations are taken and the challenges involved. I’d recommend such experiences even to computational scientists. Sweden also offers many Arctic and Antarctic research opportunities.

Q: How do you manage work-life balance as a PhD student in Sweden?

L: It’s easy to get overly involved in your project, but burnout is a risk. Sweden provides good support systems, such as psychological services and work environment representatives. Still, much of the responsibility lies with the student to take breaks and maintain balance. Work-life balance depends on the environment and the people around you. Interviews for PhD positions are also a chance to evaluate whether the department values balance. Personally, I’ve managed to separate work and private life, though deadlines and conferences can create stressful periods. Short-term stress can be productive, but long-term stress must be addressed with supervisors or support staff.

Q: What advice would you give master’s students considering a PhD?

L: Well, I’d say there are two main points:

1. Supervisor choice is crucial. Your supervisor will shape much of your PhD experience. Choose based on the supervisor rather than just the topic, as long as it’s within your domain of interest. Reach out to current PhD students to learn about their experiences.
2. Do research because you love it. A PhD shouldn’t be pursued just for better jobs or money. It should come from a genuine interest in research.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Lorenzo reminds us that a PhD isn’t just about titles or career prospects—it’s about loving the process of learning and discovery. His advice to choose supervisors carefully and to pursue research only if you truly enjoy it resonates with many students at KTH. Whether you’re still in your master’s or already thinking ahead, his story is proof that the leap into a PhD can be both rewarding and full of unique experiences.

Did you know that 12% of the international student population at KTH go on to PhD studies after graduation? If Lorenzo’s story inspired you, take the chance to explore research opportunities during your master’s at KTH. Talk to professors, join project courses, and use your thesis as a way to test if research is right for you. Your next step toward a PhD might be closer than you think.