PhD student position in Total-BIM Process and Methods

We offer a PhD position in a project that aims to contribute to the digital development toward production-oriented BIM for the construction site. This will hopefully result in a more production-adapted design and ultimately a more efficient, productive and sustainable production. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the industry.

Information about the project
Total-BIM is a novel concept to render BIM the single source of information for construction projects and the overall legally binding construction document. This would mean that traditional 2D-drawings will no longer be used on-site. Implementing new digital construction processes and practices successfully is challenging, requiring knowledge of the socio-cultural and socio-technical dimensions and local actualities of the construction industry. The disciplinary home of this research project is construction informatics, which bridges computer science, construction, and construction management.

The aim of this PhD project is twofold: 1. to contribute new knowledge and understanding of the many factors and mechanisms impacting the outcome of a successful implementation of a Total BIM project; and 2. to develop a framework for a digital construction process that includes decision making, management of design, procurement, and production. A holistic approach is applied to enable inclusion of ecosystem, strategy and innovation, organizing, and technology categories. Identified categories will be further explored in various relevant context in collaboration with practitioners. 

Information about the division
The Construction Management division encompasses diverse and interlinked areas of expertise within the wider fields of construction and project management, leadership, and construction informatics. Critical issues and concerns that we address are leadership, management and governance problems on various levels in the built environment: individual actors, projects, public and private organizations, industry, and externalities such as markets. Research mainly focuses on designing and developing viable socio-technical infrastructures, processes and practices as well as valid and innovative mediating technology. 

Major responsibilities
As PhD student, your major responsibility and task is to carry out the doctoral project described above. This means that 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 defined sub-studies. Finally, you will synthesize the sub-studies in a Total BIM project thesis and in a report to research financiers. During this PhD journey, you will not be alone. You will be working closely with your supervisors and in collaboration with practitioners. Nevertheless, you are expected to develop your own scientific constructs and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, demonstrating your capabilities of progressively becoming an independent researcher.

The position includes teaching at undergraduate level and/or carrying out other institutional duties, corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 5 years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher-education credits in Engineering with relevant social science-oriented courses, for example the Design and Construction Project Management program. The position requires knowledge in digital construction and BIM and collaborate skills. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. 

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 

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
The application should be marked with Ref 20210517 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe why and how you qualify for the position (preferably concrete examples)
• Previous research of interest: theory, method, findings and implications
• Concrete examples of your strengths
• Extra-curricular activities and merits relevant to the position

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Learn more and apply on Chalmers website: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=9949&rmlang=UK

Application deadline: 5 December, 2021

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!