Join us as a doctoral student and contribute to one of today’s most pressing climate challenges - the impact of aviation on our planet. The EU is developing ambitious policies to address this issue, yet major scientific uncertainties remain, particularly concerning aviation’s effects beyond carbon dioxide emissions.
In this position, you will develop models to assess these impacts and identify effective policy pathways for more sustainable travel.
About us
The Division of Physical Resource Theory offers an interdisciplinary research environment that relies on a range of different scientific methods, from energy system modelling and agent-based modelling, to remote sensing, econometrics and surveys. Our aim is to advance challenge-driven scientific excellence by crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries and by increasing the level of cross-collaboration in environmental research as well as with society at large. The division has around 50 staff members, faculty and doctoral students with diverse expertise, including engineers, natural and social scientists. We also offer courses in areas related to our research.
About the research project
The climate impact of aviation extends beyond carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, with persistent contrails being today the most significant contributor. This project will analyse the role of contrail cirrus in aviation’s climate impact using integrated climate and economic models to quantify effects and evaluate effective policy instruments to reduce it. The doctoral student will develop models and analyses to support climate policy for aviation in Sweden, the EU and globally.
Who we are looking for
The following requirements are mandatory:
• To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits*
• Your Master’s degree must be in a relevant technical or scientific field (such as physics, metrology, engineering mathematics, complex systems) or in economics.
• Experience in programming.
• Ability to approach problems using a mathematical methodology.
• You will need strong written and verbal communication skills in English
*for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
The following experience will strengthen your application:
• Climate science
• Atmospheric physics
• Economics
• Mathematical modelling
• Programming in Python, R, and GAMS.
What you will do
As a doctoral student, you will be part of an interdisciplinary team advancing the understanding of aviation’s climate impact and exploring solutions for more sustainable air travel. You will contribute to cutting-edge research on aviation’s effects beyond CO₂, including how contrails influence the Earth’s energy balance, and you will develop and apply advanced models to quantify these effects and identify pathways to reduce them in a Swedish and European context. You will also investigate how flight routes, altitudes, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can reduce the climate impact of air travel.
Your work will also include:
• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Energy, Environment, and Systems (Energy, Environment and Systems)
• Analyzing and evaluating innovative policy measures.
• Collaborating closely with climate scientists, economists, and policy experts.
• Presenting and publishing your results in leading scientific journals and international conferences.
• Taking advanced-level courses within the Graduate School of Energy, Environment and Systems.
• Developing your own scientific concepts, communicating your research results, and contributing to teaching or other departmental duties corresponding to 20% of your working hours.
Contract terms
• The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
• The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.
• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).
• Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.
What we offer
• As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.
If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.
Application procedure
The application should be written in English and attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
CV
Personal letter
• A brief introduction about yourself.
• A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.
Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.
Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.
We welcome your application no later than December 19, 2025
For questions, please contact:
Associate professor Daniel Johansson
Email:
[email protected]
We look forward to your application!
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***