PhD student position in Timber Structures

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE) at Chalmers University of Technology is now looking for a PhD student who will study how timber structures can be made more adaptive. Ultimately, the purpose is to develop timber structures which are adaptable to changes. This way, the project leads to more efficient use of wood resources in the construction industry and to a more sustainable society.

Project description
The Ph.D. project is positioned at the interface between Structural Engineering and Life-cycle Engineering. The project aims to develop a design guidance of timber structures which are adaptable to changes of usage and to local damages on structural elements by introducing the concept of Design for Adaption (DfA). This includes as a first step the development of protocols for the initial design phase to allow for the adaption of structures. A major challenge will be the development of suitable timber connections for the implementation of DfA in structures. The climate mitigation potential of the technical solutions will be estimated through Life-cycle assessment (LCA). It is planned to build a demonstrator for the documentation of DfA in a small scale. The project outcome will help practitioners to promote rational and efficient use of resources. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the construction industry. Furthermore, the project will make it possible to rationally assess the carbon saving in individual design cases.

The Ph.D. project involves the development of (1) numerical and analytical models for the implementation of DfA solutions for connections and (2) a LCA method of DfA practices. Experimental work is planned. The structural behaviour of different configurations of connections will be tested. Also, the material behaviour and properties of all components under varying environmental and loading conditions will be characterized. Testing will be made using uni- and multi-axial testing machines, destructive and non-destructive methods, optic measurement systems, and others. Creation of LCA database and scenario-based impact assessments is planned with considerations of the wood material circularity and cross-sectoral wood resource allocation.

The research at the interface between Structural Engineering and Life-cycle Engineering is carried out in a collaboration of the research groups for Lightweight Structures and Sustainable Building, which are part of the Division of Structural Engineering and the Division of Building Technology, respectively, at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The research groups are collaborating with several partners both from national and international research institutes and industry. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development. The course program at ACE and Chalmers as well as Sveriges Bygguniversitet (SBU) will prepare you for a range of academic as well private and public sector carrier opportunities.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility will be to carry out the Ph.D. project and to conduct research in structural timber engineering and Life-cycle engineering. You will develop a theoretical frame based on reviews of relevant literatures, articulate targeted problem formulations, select appropriate methodology and methods, collect data, and systematically and critically analyze the findings from your studies. You will have the opportunity to influence the details of the research towards the needs of the project, with the possibility to combine experimental work with theoretical modelling. As a doctoral student, you will participate in doctoral courses and be involved in teaching activities at the division. You are expected to develop your skills in communicating scientific results verbally and in writing to the public, industry, and the research community and to progressively become an independent researcher.

Your qualifications
Being a successful applicant, you have good knowledge of structural engineering and enjoy both experimental and analytical work. Furthermore, you have some knowledge, courses and/or a Master thesis project in timber engineering, wood materials science, Life-cycle engineering, finite element analysis, programming (e.g. Matlab and/or Python), simulation and computational methods, or other areas of direct relevance for the research. Starting the doctoral education requires an academic degree in an advanced level, at least 240 university points, of which 60 are on an advanced level, or similar knowledge acquired in another way. A suitable background is a Master of Science (Swedish: civilingenjör) in civil engineering, or an equivalent degree.

In addition to having a genuine interest and curiosity in the subject matter, you have a strong motivation and engagement, a cooperative mindset, a passion to combine theory and practice, the ability to plan and organize your work independently, to develop own scientific concepts and to communicate scientific results in English verbally and in writing.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10083

 Application deadline: 21 January, 2022