We have the power of over 50,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting challenges of today. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!

Pursue your PhD in Sweden — where innovation meets sustainability!

Are you eager to conduct cutting-edge research in a society known for innovation, collaboration, and sustainability? Join our team in Linköping!

As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Live and work in Sweden, enjoying an inclusive, research-friendly culture.
• Collaborate with colleagues leading design-for-sustainability research globally.
• Contribute to impactful research of the team working in areas such as:
  • Product/service system design for sustainability
  • Sustainability assessment
  • Artificial intelligence applied to lifecycle engineering
  • Remanufacturing and circular economy

Your work will be embedded in strong industry–academia collaborations, within Sweden’s well-established triple-helix innovation ecosystem. This means close cooperation with leading companies and real-world applications of your research. You will also join a research team with an international profile, actively collaborating with partners across Europe, Japan, and the United States—offering you a truly global research experience and strong academic visibility.

We have the power of over 50,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting challenges of today. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!

We are seeking a PhD Candidate in Environmental Technology and Management to join the Department of Management and Engineering.

Your work assignments

This PhD candidate will be part of a European academic network working on ecodesign, a European research and training initiative. The network aims to advance ecodesign methodologies and manufacturing strategies that enable circular economy practices at industrial scale, in line with European sustainability and resource‑efficiency policy objectives. Mandatory secondment opportunities in companies will be provided; also, participating in European training schools as a cohort of up to 15 doctoral candidates (an official agreement to be signed).

Research background

Product/service design for sustainability has been researched for several decades. However, there are unanswered scientific questions; refer to the prospective supervisor’s previous publications. Therefore, this PhD research opportunity is identified.

Research objective and expected results

Objective: to advance the scientific frontier on design for sustainability incorporating lifecycle cost and value and value retention processes (e.g., repair and remanufacture).

Results: novel knowledge that is validated through scientific research and applicable to industrial cases at scale.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

Your qualifications

• Education: You do not hold a doctoral degree. You hold a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a closely related discipline, as required for admission to doctoral studies at Linköping University.
• Technical skills: Practical experience in research on design for sustainability.
• Communication: You communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing; knowledge of Swedish is considered an asset, but is not required. The work language will be English.
• Research focus: You have a strong interest in advancing design-for-sustainability knowledge that is science-based and industry-usable.
• Drive: You are 1) highly motivated to complete doctoral research, 2) capable of working as a team respecting colleagues, and 3) curious and open minded scientifically.
• International mobility rule: To foster international exchange, at the time of recruitment, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work or studies) in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding 01/10/2026.

Your workplace

The Division of Environmental Technology and Management (MILJÖ) is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary research group established 40 years ago. Today, we are a division of approximately 40 employees with backgrounds spanning a wide range of scientific fields, countries, and cultures. Our work is grounded in the belief that addressing environmental challenges is a powerful driver for the development of products, services, technical systems, and organizations. Central to our mission is contributing to a more resource‑efficient society in which new environmental solutions become reality. We pursue this mission through research, education, and active collaboration with society.

You will be working at the Division of Environmental Technology and Management (MILJÖ), within the Products Services Innovation (PSI) unit. You can read more about our activities here: https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/iei/miljo and the prospective supervisor https://liu.se/en/employee/tomsa86 .

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan. 

Starting date is, at latest 1^st of January 2027 but after an official agreement for the European network is signed.

Background screening may come to be carried out before any decision on employment is made.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

The recruitment is executed in coordination under the European network (an official agreement to be signed). The network adheres to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and fair selection process. We believe that ambitious research requires a variety of voices, and we view diversity as a core strength of our team.

Our recruitment is based on a broad definition of merit: we value not only academic grades but also your teamwork abilities, interdisciplinary knowledge, and soft skills. We are committed to equal opportunity and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including, but not limited to, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religious diversity, neurodiversity, or socioeconomic background.

In line with our commitment to gender balance, we particularly encourage applications from women. We also welcome researchers from underrepresented backgrounds and new EU Member States to join our multidisciplinary environment.

To support our commitment to equity and meritocracy, please ensure you compile the “Summary Sheet” document (available here:  Summary sheet.docx) and include it as the first pages of your motivation letter. In addition, avoid using your family name or first name in the Motivation Letter and when naming your file (e.g., Summary_Motivation.pdf). Add materials of relevance for evaluation, including a brief research plan proposed, at the end of the same PDF. The PDF shall be 15MB at maximum.

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. The deadline for the first-round selection is the 25 of June, 2026. The second-round selection may be held in case the first-round does not complete the recruitment: in July, 2026 or later, you may ask Prof. Tomohiko Sakao about the deadline for the possible second selection via email. A document received after the deadline will not be considered.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

We look forward to receiving your application! Shape the future of design for sustainability while building an international research career in Linköping, Sweden!

Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as vendors of job advertisements.