Doctoral student (licentiate) in soil and rock mechanics (piling)

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Civil and architectural engineering (specialization in soil and rock mechanics).

We are seeking a doctoral student to join the Division of Soil and Rock Mechanics. The work tasks primarily consist of doctoral studies within the ongoing research project “Drivability of Piles in Blocky Ground”. Piling is a common foundation method; however, driven concrete piles may experience structural failure if they encounter boulders when installed in glacial till or eskers. Such events may cause significant delays and cost overruns in construction projects. The probability of premature refusal due to boulder encounter is difficult to assess, and existing assessment methods are highly simplified, which often gives rise to contractual disputes. The objective of the project is to further develop a probabilistic methodology capable of quantifying the risk for premature refusal with respect to both economic and environmental consequences. The methodology is intended to enable risk assessment for an arbitrary soil stratigraphy, for different types of piles. Based on this framework, recommendations will be developed for cost-efficient piling in blocky ground, with the aim of minimizing material consumption and project delays.

Through close collaboration with experienced supervisors and a supportive, inclusive work environment, you will have the opportunity to develop unique expertise for a future career in either industry or academia.

Supervision: Johan Spross (geotechnical risk management), Anders Beijer Lundberg (piling), and Stefan Larsson (geotechnics) is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

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 applicant shall have an academic background in civil engineering or other relevant discipline.

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.

Practical experience as a geotechnical engineer is a merit, as is familiarity with statistics and risk and safety analysis, and having programming skills. Strong academic credentials and proficiency in English, both written and spoken, are required.

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

Target degree: Licentiate 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.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

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

Contact information for PhD chapter.

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:

• 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.
• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter (not AI-generated), 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 1 page).
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

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.

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