
Doctoral student in Architectural Technology and Design Technologies
School of Architecture and Built Environment at KTH
Project description
Third-cycle subject: Architecture, Architectural Technology specialisation
The PhD position addresses advanced design technologies, design-based research, and critical discourses attuned with the current and future practice of architecture. The research project will be conducted in response to societal and environmental concerns and follows a research-by-design approach, employing computational design development and digital and material prototyping from early design stages to fabrication, through speculative as well as practice-affiliated design projects. Participation in several research projects is included in the role, but an individual topic should be provided. There will be teaching opportunities within the 1st and 2nd cycle of the architectural program.
The candidate is expected to have a good understanding of architectural technology, strong design sensitivity, advanced skills in computational design, a keen interest in collaborative design processes, and an interest in shifting between design-based research and scholarly writing. The individual topic should consider a future career within academia and/or practice.
Supervision: Jonas Runberger, with secondary supervisors aligned with selected candidate 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.
- Be part of a growing research group for Architectural Technology.
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
- The specific requirements for the doctoral program in Architecture apply: V-2023ASP_Arkitektur.pdf
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:
- independently pursue his or her work
- collaborate with others,
- have a professional approach and
- analyze and work with complex issues.
- contribute to R&D, innovation or conceptual development within the subject,
Experience as a practicing architect or computational design developer, and within digital fabrication and scholarly are merits.
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.
- Appendix with (1) proposed individual research topic, (2) its relation to the PhD profile, and (3) to architecture and future practice (max 3 pages).
- Representative publications: For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text (max 3 publications).
- Representative design portfolio (max 8 pages).
Other information
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.
Join us at KTH
KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.
Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work and grow at KTH
Temporary position
Full time
100%
May 1st 2026 or by agreement
Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
1
Stockholm
Stockholms län
Sweden
PA-2025-3419
06.Nov.2025
04.Dec.2025