Postdoc in Innovative Bioretention Filters for Treatment of Urban Stormwater

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our team in Sustainable Urban Water and Environmental Engineering at Chalmers. You will contribute to exciting research on innovative bioretention filters for stormwater treatment in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

About us

In the Sustainable Urban Water and Environmental Engineering (SUWEE) research area the vision is to conduct high-quality and excellent research and teaching on contaminated waters and materials, stormwater, and climate adaptation, to build a sustainable and resilient society. Realising this vision requires a creative, collaborative, and equitable work environment. Our strength lies in utilising and combining experimental, digital, and qualitative approaches to develop solutions and processes.

The division of Water Environment Technology is committed to contributing to the challenges of sustainable development. We conduct interdisciplinary research and education in the areas of water, environment, energy, and sustainability, with expertise in urban water and hydraulics, process engineering, and environmental science to address engineering science problems in collaboration with stakeholders related to water and energy infrastructures.

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering tackles contemporary and emerging challenges for both the built and natural environments, ranging from resource utilisation, pollution, and climate change to digitalisation and inequality. We combine expertise in architecture, civil engineering, and related disciplines to build a better world.

About the research project 

This project develops bioretention filters using alternative sorbent materials such as pine bark, biochar, and bottom ash from waste-to-energy, combined with resilient plants for phytoremediation, to enhance stormwater treatment. The goal is to create a design guide for municipalities and consultants, based on findings from the Chalmers Gårda raingarden pilot, to effectively treat polluted stormwater. The study will identify optimal designs and material combinations, assess atmospheric deposition of pollutants as a pollution source, evaluate long-term performance, including microplastics and PFAS, and provide recommendations for urban stormwater management. A multicriteria decision analysis will evaluate the sustainability and scalability of the filters.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• Hold a doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering or Science, Water Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience in constructing pilots in the field and/or laboratory.
• Experience in working in the field with sampling of water and/or soil.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Demonstrate good potential for teaching, as 10% of this position is teaching.

Meriting qualifications include:

• Experience in research within the field of bioretention filters.
• Experience in chemical analysis of microplastics and tyre wear particles.
• Knowledge of removal and transport processes for metals, organic pollutants, microplastics, and tyre wear particles in soil and water.
• Experience using tools for multi-criteria decision analysis.
• Experience in teaching.

What you will do

This project aims to develop a design guide for full-scale innovative and resilient bioretention filters using alternative sorbent materials and phytoremediation with resilient plant species, to improve stormwater treatment. The guide provides information on how to construct, operate, and maintain the filters, as well as how to treat and reuse materials from used filters. Municipalities, authorities, and consultants may utilise the design guide in future projects to manage highly polluted stormwater. The project builds on an ongoing PhD study in which 13 bioretention filters have been examined over a period of three years in a field pilot. This new project is needed to complete and transform the development of filter design from pilot scale to full-scale application and to implement the results in society. The project's primary tasks for the post-doc will be to:

• Evaluate the existing filters in the Gårda rain garden pilot facility for their long-term (5-year) function and removal capacities, including PFAS analyses.
• In-field testing of new filters with combinations of filter materials such aspine bark, biochar from spruce, and waste-to-energy bottom ash to optimise the removal capacity of metals, nutrients, organic pollutants, microparticles, and tyre wear particles.
• Conducting a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to guarantee the sustainability of the developed filters and the upscaling process for full-scale use.
• Create a design guide for full-scale innovative and resilient bioretention filters using alternative sorbent materials and resilient plant species for phytoremediation to enhance stormwater treatment.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years.

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.

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.
• Details of 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. 

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 12 January 2026.

For questions, please contact:

Professor Ann-Margret Hvitt Strömvall

[emailprotected]

*** 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.