Doctoral student in Modelling Policy and Behavioural Impacts in Transport

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Transport Science

The project aims to integrate societal impact assessment of transport solutions and policies with travel behavior models. Traditionally, these models and assessment methods are developed independently and require specialized expertise to synthesize and align their findings. This initiative seeks to bridge that gap by developing integrated assessment frameworks using AI. It will examine how technology-driven solutions and policy interventions—such as restrictions on fossil fuel vehicles, reduced car parking, and the promotion of carpooling—affect sustainability outcomes, with a particular focus on behavioral adaptation, emission reduction targets, and equity considerations.

The methodological approach will combine theory-driven and data-driven modeling with an aim to construct AI systems grounded in behavioral theory. Key indicators, such as, consumer surplus, value of travel time, and demand elasticities will be subject to critical review as part of the model development process. The project will also explore the use of big data sources, including traffic sensor data and social media mining, to enhance analytical depth and real-world relevance.

Empirical evidence will be documented in scientific publications and disseminated with stakeholders beyond academia. The candidate will collaborate with other doctoral students in the research group to build on existing accessibility indices, agent-based simulation model and digital twins.

Supervision: Fariya Sharmeen is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and in Sweden

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• a relevant degree, for instance in applied math, transport science, computer science, machine learning, AI
• documented programming skills, for example, to compute machine learning models and AI systems
• understand theory driven models, e.g. activity travel behaviour modelling
• effectively formulate research questions and creatively seek solutions
• collect data from open source database, mining social media data
• work effectively in a multidisciplinary international team
• Communication skills in English, as it is required in daily work.
• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

Highly desirable:

• documented experience and skills in quantitative analysis
• interest in building integrated models to aid complex decision making processes
• critical thinking

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here