Doctoral student (licentiate) in Resilient Public Transport

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Transport Science

Public transport is leading the transformation of the transport sector in Sweden through an early transition to renewable fuels. The current focus is on electrifying the bus fleet, and the sector's target is for 40% of all journeys to be public transport by 2030. However, the pandemic has brought challenges in the form of increased costs and reduced public travel. The project systematically analyzes resilience by exploring both technical (robustness and adaptability) and socio-ecological resilience (flexibility and agility). Trends such as electrification, digitalization and automation, together with post-pandemic market disruptions, call for new approaches and knowledge creation. Our research highlights synergies between resilient energy and public transport systems and engages stakeholders to assess risks and opportunities.

We are now looking for a PhD student who, in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), wants to explore the role and character of a socio-ecologically resilient public transport system in a longer-term perspective. We focus on the effects of transformative trends (pandemic, working from home, etc.), and how the mobility needs of all users are met in a way that is efficient, equitable and resilient to disruption. Sub-studies may include mapping of development trends, simulations of future systems, and resilience solutions supported by simulated case studies.

Supervision: You will be part of the Division of Transport Planning at KTH, with your studies supervised by Professor Erik Jenelius. 

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.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

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

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:

• break down and concretize complex concepts, phenomena and relationships
• further develop your analytical skills
• perform simulation, systems analysis, network science, behavioural modelling, transport economics, data analysis or similar modelling tasks, preferably with experience in transport or urban planning, especially in public transport
• communicate proficiently in English, as it's required in the daily work, experience in scientific writing is a plus
• contribute to a stimulating research environment and interactions with project partners and stakeholders
• exercise a healthy dose of autonomy, creativeness, and genuine curiosity

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

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.

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.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

The position may include security-sensitive activities. To become authorized, you therefore need to pass a possible security check.

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.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here