Lund University Doctoral Student in Fire Safety Focusing on Egressibility 2026 | Apply for PhD Position in Sweden

If you’re looking for a fully funded PhD opportunity in Europe, the Lund University Doctoral Student in Fire Safety 2026 position is worth considering. Lund University has opened applications for a doctoral position in Fire Safety Engineering focusing on Egressibility, a research area that aims to improve emergency evacuation for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

The position is based primarily at Campus Helsingborg, Sweden, and is connected to a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant. Selected candidates will work on cutting-edge research involving emergency evacuation, human behaviour, interviews, AI-based modelling, and data analysis while earning a monthly salary as a university employee. Applications are open until 29 July 2026.

Programme Highlights

ParticularDetails
PositionDoctoral Student in Fire Safety Focusing on Egressibility
UniversityLund University
FacultyFaculty of Engineering (LTH)
DepartmentBuilding and Environmental Technology
DivisionFire Safety Engineering
CountrySweden
LocationCampus Helsingborg
Employment TypeFull-time Temporary Doctoral Employment
Duration4 Years (extendable with teaching duties)
SalaryMonthly Salary
Research AreaFire Safety Engineering, Emergency Evacuation, Human Behaviour
FundingFully Employed Doctoral Position
Application Deadline29 July 2026

About the Position

Lund University, founded in 1666, is one of Europe’s leading research universities and consistently ranks among the world’s top higher education institutions. The university has approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees across Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö.

This doctoral position is offered by the Division of Fire Safety Engineering, part of the Department of Building and Environmental Technology. The division conducts internationally recognized research on fire development, fire prevention systems, evacuation behaviour, building safety, and emergency management.

The advertised PhD project focuses on Egressibility, which refers to making evacuation routes and emergency exits accessible to everyone, particularly individuals with disabilities or other vulnerable groups. The research seeks practical solutions that improve emergency evacuation through scientific investigation and innovative technologies.

The project is funded through the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant “Egressibility”, providing candidates with an opportunity to contribute to internationally significant research.

During the PhD, candidates will work with several research methods, including:

  • Interviews
  • Vignette experiments
  • AI-based behavioural modelling
  • Evacuation data collection
  • Human behaviour analysis during emergencies

The main workplace will be Campus Helsingborg, with opportunities to collaborate with researchers across Lund University.

Eligibility Criteria

General Admission Requirements

Applicants must have one of the following:

  • A second-cycle (Master’s) qualification
  • At least 240 ECTS credits, including 60 credits at Master’s level
  • Equivalent qualifications obtained in Sweden or abroad

Specific Admission Requirements

Applicants should have either:

  • A BSc in Fire Protection Engineering (210 ECTS credits), or
  • A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline

Additional Requirements

Candidates should demonstrate:

  • Ability to work independently
  • Strong initiative and research motivation
  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent collaboration skills
  • Excellent written and spoken English
  • Knowledge of evacuation research

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with:

  • Experience collecting and analysing evacuation data
  • Previous thesis work related to evacuation or fire safety
  • Research experience in human behaviour during emergencies

Salary, Benefits and Funding

Successful applicants will receive employment as doctoral students at Lund University rather than a scholarship.

Benefits include:

  • Monthly salary
  • Four-year full-time doctoral employment
  • Extension of employment for teaching or departmental duties (up to 20%)
  • Generous annual leave
  • Swedish occupational pension scheme
  • Access to world-class research facilities
  • International conference participation
  • Supervision by experienced researchers
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Teaching and leadership experience

Doctoral students are both employees and enrolled PhD students at Lund University.

Job Profile and Responsibilities

The selected doctoral student will primarily focus on doctoral research while contributing to departmental activities.

Responsibilities include:

  • Conduct research in fire safety engineering
  • Study emergency evacuation behaviour
  • Collect and analyse evacuation data
  • Perform interviews and behavioural experiments
  • Develop AI-based models for evacuation scenarios
  • Participate in doctoral-level courses
  • Attend seminars and research meetings
  • Present research at national and international conferences
  • Publish scientific research
  • Undertake teaching and departmental duties (maximum 20%)

Selection Process

The university will assess applications based on:

  1. Academic qualifications
  2. Eligibility requirements
  3. Research background
  4. Relevance of Master’s thesis
  5. Research potential
  6. Recommendation letter
  7. Interview (held in Lund, Helsingborg, or remotely via Microsoft Teams)

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application in English.

Required Documents

  1. Updated CV
  2. Cover Letter explaining:
    • Why you are interested in the doctoral programme
    • How your academic background matches the project
  3. Degree certificates
  4. Academic transcripts
  5. Master’s thesis (or summary if incomplete)
  6. One recommendation letter
  7. Any additional supporting documents
  8. Contact details of referees (if applicable)

Applications should be submitted through Lund University’s official recruitment portal before the deadline.

Important Dates

EventDate
Application Opens25 May 2026
Last Date to Apply29 July 2026
InterviewTo be announced
Employment StartsAccording to agreement

Important Links

ResourceDetails
Official Recruitment PortalClick Here
Official WebsiteClick Here

Contact Details

Dr. Enrico Ronchi
Division of Fire Safety Engineering
Lund University
Email: enrico.ronchi@brand.lth.se
Work Location: Campus Helsingborg, Sweden

Why This PhD Stands Out

Several aspects make this doctoral opportunity particularly attractive:

  • Research funded by a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant.
  • Opportunity to work on socially impactful research improving emergency evacuation for people with disabilities.
  • Integration of AI-based modelling with behavioural science and fire safety engineering.
  • Employment with salary and employee benefits instead of a scholarship.
  • Access to international collaborations and conference participation.
  • Training at one of Europe’s highest-ranked research universities.

For students interested in fire safety, disaster management, human behaviour, accessibility, or AI applications in safety engineering, this position offers an excellent platform to build an international research career.

FAQs

Who can apply for the Lund University Doctoral Student in Fire Safety 2026 position?

Applicants with a relevant Master’s degree or a BSc in Fire Protection Engineering (210 ECTS credits) who meet the university’s admission requirements can apply.

Is this a fully funded PhD?

Yes. Doctoral students are employed by Lund University and receive a monthly salary along with employee benefits.

What is the last date to apply?

The application deadline is 29 July 2026.

Where will the PhD be based?

The position is mainly located at Campus Helsingborg, Sweden.

What research area will the doctoral student work on?

The research focuses on Egressibility, emergency evacuation, human behaviour, accessibility for people with disabilities, evacuation data analysis, and AI-based modelling.

Is teaching required?

Yes. Teaching and departmental duties may account for up to 20% of the workload, and the doctoral employment is extended accordingly.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need to submit a CV, cover letter, degree certificates, transcripts, Master’s thesis (or summary), one recommendation letter, and any additional supporting documents requested by the university.

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