Help shape the future of vehicle safety by developing next-generation human body models that capture how people of different sex, body shape, and seating posture respond in crashes.
This PhD project combines biomechanics, medical imaging, statistical shape modelling, deep learning and virtual crash simulation to create more realistic and equitable safety assessment tools for tomorrow’s transport systems.
About the research project
This project aims to develop a science-based, full-body morphing framework for Human Body Models (HBMs) that can better represent how people of different sex, body size, body composition, and seating posture respond in vehicle crashes. Current safety assessment methods still rely heavily on a limited set of standard occupant models, which means that important groups—such as women, overweight and obese individuals, older occupants, and people in non-standard or reclined seating positions—are not sufficiently represented.
The project addresses this gap by combining biomechanics, medical imaging, statistical shape modelling, and virtual crash simulation to create coherent models of both the human skeleton and external body surface. A key focus is to improve the realism of safety-critical regions such as the abdomen, pelvis, torso, and breast tissue, where body shape and posture strongly influence seatbelt interaction, occupant motion, and injury risk.
The work is carried out through data collection, development of statistical shape models, integration into a unified morphing framework, and application in safety-relevant crash scenarios. The project also evaluates how improved anatomical and posture-dependent modelling affects occupant kinematics, restraint interaction, and injury-related responses in future vehicle concepts, including automated and shared vehicles.
By creating more realistic and transparent tools for population-based virtual safety assessment, the project will support fairer and more robust vehicle safety evaluation and contribute to future rating and regulatory development.
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 Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Complex adaptiv systems, Data science and AI, Biomedical engineering, or a closely related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Experience in mathematical modelling, statistics and python programming, demonstrated through course and project work
- Personal competences in accordance with the requirements profile(e.g. social skills, meaning that you enjoy collaborating with others)
*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 deep machine learning, finite element modelling, biomechanics, and anatomy
What you will do
- Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Machine and Vehicle systems ( Graduate schools | Chalmers )
- Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing
- The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours
- Collaborate with industry and other external partners
- Work in a strong and open research group, together with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers
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. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.
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.
About us
The Department of Mechnical Engineering
We unite the power of technology, people, and society to drive the transition toward a sustainable future. Through research, education, and collaboration, we create solutions that connect materials to mobility, ideas to impact – shaping a resilient and sustainable world. We make impact.
Mechanical Engineering | Chalmers
At the Division of Vehicle Safety, we conduct research to understand and mitigate injury risks for all road users. By integrating field data and experimental data with behavioural models and finite element human body models, we analyse pre-crash and in-crash dynamics to enable comprehensive virtual safety assessments in close collaboration with industry, academia and other stakeholders.
The project is multidiciplinary, and also includes experts in medical image analysis from the department of Electrical Engineering and experts in clinical medicin from Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The student will be supervised by researchers from both Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and be part of both research environments.
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 16th of August 2026.
For questions, please contact:
Johan Iraeus [email protected]
Jennifer Alvén [email protected]
We look forward to your application!
*** 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.
