Doctoral studentship in Building Technology

Welcome to Linnaeus University Here you'll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that's needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That's what we've created
- and you are invited.

Change starts here

The Faculty of Technology has a broad remit, spanning eight different departments, each contributing to education and research at Linnaeus University. Our educational offerings range from short courses lasting only a few weeks or months, to five-year programmes leading to a Master of Science in Engineering. Our research meets societal needs across several broad fields
- in both the short and long term
- and includes both basic research and applied research in collaboration with external stakeholders.

As part of the Faculty of Technology, the Department of Building Technology collaborates extensively with industry partners in both research and education. The department works with other related departments to foster a creative environment for high-quality research and stimulating education. Research in building technology encompasses timber engineering; steel, concrete, hybrid and composite structural engineering; building physics; building materials; structural health monitoring; and life cycle analysis.

This doctoral studentship will be part of the Linnaeus University Centre (Lnuc) for Competitive Timber Structures , which conducts leading research on the use of forest-based biomaterials to develop and improve wood-based building materials, components, and systems, with the aim of reducing the climate impact of the construction sector and creating long-term carbon sinks through wood-based products and timber buildings. The aim of Lnuc Competitive Timber Structures is to advance research-based knowledge in the field and build research capacity to support a holistic approach to the design of sustainable timber structures, thereby promoting the transition to a green and climate-neutral construction sector.

Subject area for the position: Building Technology

Location until further notice: Växjö. Since Linnaeus University is located in both Växjö and Kalmar, travel between the two may be required.

Term and hours: The doctoral studentship is limited in time in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 5, Section 7). The studentship is full-time.

Starting date: October 1, 2026, or by agreement

Job Description

The PhD student will work within a research team in building technology and timber engineering to contribute to the development of advanced design approaches for optimized connections in timber structures. The doctoral student’s main responsibility will be to conduct research aimed at optimizing timber connections with respect to structural performance, reliability, and environmental impact.

The research will focus on different types of timber connections, potentially including dowel-type fastener connections as well as carpentry-based connections. A key aspect of the project is multi-objective optimization, where structural efficiency is balanced against other factors like the carbon footprint. The connection design will be studied not as an isolated component, but as an integral part of the overall timber structural system, influenced by boundary conditions, loading scenarios, and the global mechanical behaviour of the structure.

Closely connected to the optimization of connections is the prediction of their reliability. The research may include studies on homogenization effects in multiple-fastener connections, as well as the influence of material variability and load redistribution. Furthermore, the effects of moisture-induced volumetric changes, and potential connection degradation, may be considered within the optimization framework.

The work will involve the use of optimization algorithms and/or neural networks in combination with mechanical models for predicting connection behaviour. Methods for carbon footprint estimation will be integrated to support environmentally informed design decisions. The work may also involve carrying out destructive and non-destructive tests on connections and structural elements. The project aims to contribute to the development of reliable, resource-efficient, and low-carbon timber connection solutions for modern timber structures.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote themselves to their own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, and administration. However, before a doctoral de