PhD student in Packaging Logistics, specializing in retail and logistics

The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and Lund University, Lund University of Technology (LTH), announce a joint recruitment of a doctoral position in packaging logistics with a focus on trade and logistics.

About VTI

The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, is a government agency conducting applied research and advanced investigations in the transport sector. We have around 250 employees and an annual turnover of approximately 300 million SEK. The headquarters is located in Linköping, with other offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Lund. We are now looking for another employee for the Traffic Analysis and Logistics unit. The unit has about 35 employees and works with applied and socially motivated research as well as advanced investigations in logistics, transport, energy supply, digitization, and traffic systems. The focus is on developing knowledge and models that enable more reliable decision-making to meet goals in areas such as efficiency, accessibility, mobility, environment, energy supply, resilience, and safety. Trafikanalys och logistik | VTI

The position will be located in Lund.

You will be employed 50% at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, and 50% at the Division of Packaging Logistics at the Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering - LTH, Lund University. You will be admitted to the doctoral program at LTH at 100%. PLEASE NOTE that this position is a joint recruitment with LTH and applications are required to both organizations. Application links to both organizations are at the bottom of this advertisement.

About LTH

LTH offers a stimulating and international environment with doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, senior researchers, and professors from various parts of the world. Research, innovation, and education take place in an open and creative climate that promotes collaboration both within academia and with industry partners. A doctoral degree provides an excellent foundation for an exciting career in academia or in the business sector.

The doctoral position is funded within the framework of the Triple F program (Fossile Free Freight). Triple F is the Swedish Transport Administration’s research and innovation initiative aimed at contributing to the transition of the Swedish freight transport system to fossil-free operations (https://triplef.lindholmen.se/). The project is carried out in collaboration between Lund University and VTI, with supervision from both parties. The position is shared between the two organizations, which means that applicants must apply to both Lund University and VTI (insert link). Although it is a shared position, the PhD student will be admitted to the doctoral program at LTH (100%). The doctoral student will be based in Lund but will spend half of their time at each institution, i.e., VTI and Lund University.

About the employment

Packaging logistics is a multidisciplinary research field that integrates and develops logistics and packaging. It applies various theoretical approaches and methods to understand, explain, and improve the efficient and sustainable use of resources in supply chains. Research in packaging logistics contributes to sustainable development by integrating packaging with logistics, innovation, and product development in the areas of technology, economics, and the environment.

The doctoral project you will work on addresses return handling in e-commerce. As e-commerce continues to grow, the need for sustainable return systems to efficiently manage product and goods flows increases. The aim is to develop and disseminate new knowledge on how the digital transformation of the return management process can support fossil-free and transport-efficient circular goods flows, as well as create conditions for a fossil-free freight transport system. Returns management is a central aspect of sustainable development, focusing on optimizing the collection, sorting, and reuse of products to reduce resource consumption and transport. Digital transformation plays a crucial role in automating and streamlining return flows, enabling sustainable solutions that support the green transition in the retail and logistics sectors. The research is conducted through case studies in close collaboration with, for example, retail companies and logistics operators, focusing on qualitative methods and practical application.

A PhD position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a PhD student, you are trained in scientific work through the publication of scientific articles in journals and at national and international conferences. You also take mandatory and elective PhD courses. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to try out the teaching role. As a researcher, you work as a neutral party in many contexts, which provides a fantastic opportunity to learn how to manage challenging development projects. Your work will include theoretical models and simulations, but some practical measurements may also be included.

Your profile

You are qualified to apply for this position if you fulfill the requirements for acceptance to the doctoral program at The Division of Packaging Logistics, LTH: LTH

The tasks involve communication with clients, collaborators, and other researchers. Therefore, good teamwork skills are required. The tasks require a solid foundation in theory and methodology, and you should be able to independently compile, analyze, and present material. We place great emphasis on your ability to take the initiative and work independently. Advanced knowledge in written and spoken English is required.

Appointment period

In this announcement, only those admitted to doctoral education at LTH can be employed as doctoral students. The doctoral education is four years full-time. With teaching and other departmental/institute work, the employment is extended accordingly, but no longer than 5 years (i.e., max 20%). Annual evaluation of the doctoral education is conducted, and the position is extended if the studies progress according to plan. For more information on postgraduate training at LTH: PhD studies | LTH, Faculty of Engineering

Planned entry is August 2025.

More information

Information on how VTI handles your personal data here: https://www.vti.se/en/about-vti/personal-data

We decline all offers of advertising or recruitment assistance in connection with this recruitment.

Ref. nr: 2025/0102-3.1

Application

Welcome to submit your application, no later than April 25^th 2025, with a personal letter, CV, degree certificate, grades and other documents you wish to submit. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. NOTE that applications are required to both organizations. Apply to LTH here: LTH