Doctoral student in Water Resources Engineering with a focus on Coastal Engineering

Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Building & Environmental Technology 

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46 000 students and 8 500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Description of the workplace

The current position is placed at the Division of Water Resources Engineering (TVRL), Department of Building and Environmental Technology. Here, research and teaching aim to understand how water occurs and is transported in natural and urban systems, based on the comprehension and modelling of various aspects of the hydrological cycle from source to sea, including both water quality and quantity, as well as water management and governance. This includes, but is not limited to, studies on the movement of water in piped systems, channels and natural waters; flooding and drought; systems to reduce their consequences; factors affecting water use and quality; and erosion along open coasts, rivers, and lakes.

The coastal engineering research group is specifically focused on the development and application of numerical models to simulate hydro- and morphodynamic coastal processes. The group is also working extensively on field studies and on the development of nature-based coastal protection, in close collaboration with Swedish municipalities and national agencies.

TVRL is the largest water-oriented research group in Sweden. It maintains a world-class research level in a stimulating, diverse, and international environment that comprises PhD students, postdocs, and teachers from many parts of the world. TVRL houses the UN University Water Hub in the Nordic countries. Here, research and teaching take place in an open and progressive environment in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, both nationally and internationally. The work environment is characterised by commitment, collaboration, creativity, and personal responsibility.

Being a doctoral student 

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. 

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se. 

Subject and project description

This PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe project HARCCA – Hotspot Resilience: Co-Construct Approaches to Coastal Climate Adaptation, coordinated by Lund University. HARCCA brings together an international consortium of 22 research institutions, universities, and public authorities across Europe. The project develops and demonstrates innovative solutions for climate resilience in vulnerable coastal regions by combining advanced multi-hazard risk assessment, nature-based solutions, and stakeholder co-creation within Coastal Hotspot Adaptation Living Labs. It also includes developing digital tools to support risk-informed decision-making and long-term adaptation planning.

The PhD will focus on two study sites in Sweden (Trelleborg) and Poland (Hel Peninsula), both low-lying Baltic Sea coasts exposed to erosion and flooding hazards. The work involves analysing data and applying and developing advanced modelling approaches, including, but not limited to, the PCR-model and SFINCS, to quantify current and future coastal risks. The candidate will also evaluate how nature-based adaptation strategies can reduce risks under future climate scenarios.

The PhD will interact with other activities in the project, including supporting the visualisation and communication of results through digital tools. The position involves interdisciplinary research collaboration and stakeholder engagement in the case study areas. 

The PhD will be supervised by Associate Prof. Caroline Hallin (main supervisor) and Dr Björn Almström from Lund University, and Dr Piotr Szmytkiewicz from the Institute of Hydro-Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IBW PAN). IBW PAN is a Polish scientific institute established in 1953 and involved in all major hydrotechnical projects on Polish rivers and the southern Baltic Sea coast, including coastal protection measures, ports, navigation locks and weirs, nuclear power and marine offshore wind plants. IBW PAN is conducting scientific research (numerical, laboratory, and field) to support the design and operation processes.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, including participation in the research project and third-cycle courses, seminars, and conferences. You are expected to participate in at least 3–4 international trips per year for project meetings, courses, and conferences. In addition, you will undertake several research visits to IBW PAN in Poland.

The work duties include:

• Collect, analyse and process datasets of hydrodynamic and morphological coastal processes from the Swedish and Polish case study sites
• Apply and further develop multi-hazard risk assessment models for coastal flooding and erosion under current and future climate scenarios, accounting for coastal protection measures
• Quantify and evaluate the risk reduction potential of climate change adaptation strategies, with a focus on nature-based solutions and the combined effect of beach nourishment and hard structures
• Contribute to the development of reproducible modelling workflows (e.g. coding, data handling, documentation)
• Produce and interpret hazard, impact, and risk maps and indicators
• Contribute to the visualisation and communication of results, including integration into digital tools and platforms
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams and project partners in Europe
• Participate in stakeholder engagement activities (e.g. workshops, Living Labs) in the case study areas
• Disseminate research results through scientific publications, reports, and presentations at conferences
• The duties may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours).

Qualifications 

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or 
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or 
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Water Resources Engineering if the applicant has: 

• at least 120 credits in subjects of relevance to the field of research including at least 75 second-cycle credits in a relevant field for the subject area, or
• a second-cycle degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or similar

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required: 

• strong interest in and motivation for research on coastal processes and climate change adaptation
• experience with coding and/or numerical models
• good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems
• good written and oral communication skills
• good ability to cooperate
• very good knowledge of English, spoken and written 

Other qualifications (advantages)

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications: 

• good knowledge of physical coastal processes
• experience in conducting fieldwork in marine or coastal zones 
• drivers license

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace. 

More about working at Lund University on lu.se.

About the employment 

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting 2026-10-01. The employment start date coincides with the starting date of HARCCA, which is a 4-year project.

Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages. 

Other

Selected candidates will be called to interviews in Lund. In case physical presence is not possible, candidates will be offered online interviews. Interviews may be complemented with other tests. 

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include: 

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. 
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project. 
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.

About the Faculty of Engineering

LTH is Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering. At LTH we educate people, build knowledge for the future and work hard for the development of society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative advancements in technology, architecture and design. We have nearly 12,000 students. Every year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 theses and 2 000 scientific findings. In addition, a number of research results and degree projects are transformed into innovations. Together we explore and create – to benefit the world.

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