Assistant Professor in Fire Safety Engineering focusing on fire dynamics and material behaviour

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor.
The Department of Building and Environmental Technology at Lund University comprises several divisions, of which the Division of Fire Safety Engineering is one. The department conducts research and teaching linked to society's needs for infrastructure and construction. This also includes consideration of safety aspects and the development of methods for managing the consequences of fires and similar accidents in society.
Research in fire safety engineering refers to physical and chemical processes associated with the onset, growth, spread and extinguishing of fires, interactions between fire and buildings, facilities, natural resources, etc., systems for preventing or detecting fire or limiting its consequences, as well as evacuation and human behaviour in the event of a fire. Fire also refers to related types of accidents such as explosions or other reactive processes. The intention is to find cost-effective, sustainable and innovative methods to keep damage to people, the environment and property at an acceptable level.
The work is usually carried out in smaller research groups linked to a certain subject area. The work is also characterized by an interdisciplinary approach with collaboration across subject boundaries and with colleagues in other departments within the university. The Division of Fire Safety Engineering consists of about 20 researchers, doctoral students and administrative staff.
The work environment is characterized by commitment, cooperation, creativity and personal responsibility. We strive for an egalitarian and inclusive work environment with an even gender distribution. It is stimulating work with varied tasks, which is why there are good opportunities for professional development.
The current position is located in Lund and is part of the division's Fire Dynamics research group. The group consists of four senior researchers, one assistant professor, one postdoc and several doctoral students.
Subject
Fire Safety Engineering focusing on fire dynamics and material behaviour
Subject description
The fire safety design of a building is based on a set of functional requirements that, among other factors, consider the interaction between the fire development and the materials used in the building. Describing the exposure a building faces during a fire requires knowledge and understanding of the relevant fire physical and fire dynamical processes. Fire dynamics encompass phenomena such as ignition, fire development and spread, as well as mechanisms to limit these processes. Research in fire safety engineering is primarily conducted through experimental work, modeling, and model development. The focus of this position will be on fire dynamics and the behavior of building materials during a fire—incorporating environmental and sustainability perspectives—as well as the modeling of fire-dynamic phenomena in relation to the influence of building materials and the consequences of fire from the perspective of the built environment.

Work duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.
Work duties include:
Research within the subject area.
Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
Actively seeking external research funding.
Collaboration with industry and wider society.
Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.
Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:
A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
Teaching ability.
Additional requirements
Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
Documented experience in planning and conducting experimental studies within the field of fire dynamics
Very good knowledge of the behavior of materials and products during a fire, and their significance in the fire process
Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.
Other qualifications
Documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc or doctoral studies) from another university/institute or relevant experience from industry/public sector.
Good knowledge of fire dynamics modeling.
Good knowledge of measurement techniques within the field of fire safety engineering.
Documented experience of teaching at first and second cycles of studies.
The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee:
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.
Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:
http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/
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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Fire Safety Engineering focusing on fire dynamics and material behaviour.
During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:
A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
Demonstrated teaching expertise.
Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:
A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
A general ability to lead and develop activities.
Additional requirements
Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
Progression in research and teaching expertise.
Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding in competition.