Doctoral student in microwave diagnostics for disaster care

About the employer

Chalmers University of Technology

Our goal is to focus on competence, knowledge and collaboration in order to play an important, demonstrable role in social development.

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Are you curious about how advanced microwave technology can make a real difference in disaster and emergency care? Would you like to combine engineering, medicine, and societal impact in a doctoral project that truly matters? Then the position as a PhD student in Microwave Diagnostics for Disaster Care may be the perfect opportunity for you. You will have the chance to develop next-generation diagnostic solutions together with a dedicated research team and a vibrant interdisciplinary academic community.

About us

At the department of Electrical Engineering research and education are performed in the areas of Communications, Antennas and Optical Networks, Systems and Control, Signal processing and Biomedical engineering, and Electric Power Engineering. We work with sustainable and smart solutions to societal challenges, such as energy efficiency and electrification in areas ranging from transport and production systems to communication solutions and biomedical engineering.

The Division of Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering brings together research in biomedical electromagnetics, biomedical signals and systems, computer vision, and signal processing. Our research spans medical technology, AI and machine learning, digital health, and advanced signal processing, with applications in healthcare, autonomous systems, industry, and energy. Through interdisciplinary research, we contribute to addressing important societal challenges in health, technology, and sustainability.

About the research project

This PhD project focuses on the development of microwave-based diagnostic systems for rapid triage and early detection of traumatic injuries in disaster and pre-hospital settings. Together with clinical partners, our research group pioneered, clinically evaluated and CE-marked microwave-based diagnostic systems for stroke. Building on this unique experience, the project aims to advance next-generation technologies for emergency response, triage, and preparedness planning.

The research combines electromagnetic modelling, antenna and RF system design, signal processing, and experimental validation in close collaboration with clinical partners.

The position is part of the national DISASTER-CARE Graduate School in Disaster Medicine, an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at strengthening Sweden's long-term capacity to educate healthcare professionals for crisis, disaster, and wartime situations.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits* in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or similar.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Swedish.
• Candidates must demonstrate strong foundational knowledge in microwave systems and practical RF engineering principles.
• Furthermore, a solid background in electromagnetic field theory and computational electromagnetics is essential to succeed in this research project.

• for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor s degree is accepted.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• Experience in disaster care medicine
• Experience in microwave based detection methods
• Experience in machine learning

What you will do

• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Electrical Engineering
• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Disaster Care
• Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing
• The position also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours
• Conduct research on microwave-based diagnostic methods for applications in disaster and emergency care.
• Design, model, and evaluate sensors, measurement systems, and algorithms for microwave diagnostics.
• Plan and carry out experiments in laboratory environments as well as realistic testing and simulation settings.

Contract terms

• The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
• The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.
• A starting salary of 35,725 SEK per month (valid from May 1, 2026).
• Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.

What we offer

As a Doctoral student 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.
• Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English and 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
• Personal letter
• A brief introduction about yourself.
• A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.
• Bachelor s and, if available, master s thesis together with the transcripts.

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

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 29 October, 2026.

For questions, please contact:

Andreas Fhager Associate Professor Email: andreas.fhager@chalmers.se

*** 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.