Postdoc in Railway mechanics

Join us at the National Centre of Excellence CHARMEC for an exciting and excellent PostDoc journey to investigate hybrid asset management on railways!

About us

Your workplace will be at the Division of Dynamics, which belongs to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Chalmers. The project will run within CHARMEC which is the National Centre of Excellence in Railway Mechanics.

At the Department of Mechanical Engineering , we unite the power of technology, people, and society to drive the transition toward a sustainable future. Through research, education, and collaboration, we create solutions that connect materials to mobility, ideas to impact – shaping a resilient and sustainable world.

At the Division of Dynamics , we try to solve a number of dynamic challenges with our research. The research area Railway Mechanics is the core of the competence center CHARMEC whose research focuses on the mechanical interaction between components in trains and tracks. Among other things, the research provides the industry with new, more cost-effective and robust solutions and more affordable rail transport and higher operational reliability for passengers and freight traffic.

About the research project

With increasing capacity utilisation on the railway, time in track for maintenance is decreasing at the same time as consequences of lacking maintenance are increasing. This means that precision in asset monitoring and analysis of monitoring data, as well as identification, prioritisation and execution of maintenance need to be enhanced. To this end, the increasing amounts of collected data from operations, monitoring and inspections open up new possibilities, but also new challenges.

In this context, the project will address challenges in linking collected data to current status, future deterioration and operational safety levels of track and vehicles. Here, the project will take a hybrid approach in combining physical simulations and data driven analyses (featuring AI/ML as well as ‘traditional’ statistical analyses) using data obtained from several sources. The aim is to expand the theoretical framework for predictive asset management in the railway sector including establishment of suitable algorithms and methods for assessments of key cost-driving phenomena.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory

• A doctoral degree in Mechanical engineering or similar, or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made

• High competence and research experience in prediction of mechanical deterioration and use of statistical and/or AI/ML methods in that area

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The following experience will strengthen your application

• It is highly meritorious if the doctoral degree has been obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline

• High competence and research experience in railway mechanics.

• Experience in extracting and interpreting data from maintenance and condition monitoring databases

• Knowledge in Swedish

What you will do

• Research related to the project description including publication in international journals and presentations at conferences and/or seminars

• Supervise master’s and/or PhD students to a certain extent

• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master’s level

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years starting January 2027 with the possibility of a one-year extension.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a postdoc 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.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English be 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

• A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications and degrees.

• Details on previous teaching and pedagogical experience.

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself.

• A summary of your previous research fields and key research outcomes.

• An outline of your future goals and research focus.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

The position may need security clearance and a background check may be conducted as part of the application process.

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 31st of October 2026.

For questions, please contact: Anders Ekberg, Professor in Railway Mechanics, anders.ekberg@chalmers.se

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.  ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society. Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.