Doctoral researcher in Engineering Science

About us

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) at the University of Luxembourg contributes multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences and Medicine.
Through its dual mission of teaching and research, the FSTM seeks to generate and disseminate knowledge and train new generations of responsible citizens in order to better understand, explain and advance society and the environment we live in.

Your role

The PhD student will work under the guidance of a professor on a research theme and will also contribute to education in a certain extent. The person should finish the work with a doctoral degree in engineering science.

The research will be conducted within the ArcelorMittal Chair of Steel Construction. The project focuses on the structural behaviour and performance of Steel-Timber Composite (STC) beams, an innovative and sustainable hybrid structural system combining steel members with cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels.

The objective of the research is to advance the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of STC beams and to develop design methodologies and engineering solutions. The work is expected to combine experimental results, numerical modelling, and analytical approaches to support the development of respective reliable and efficient design concepts.

Led by Prof. Christoph Odenbreit, the ArcelorMittal Chair of Steel Construction is actively involved in leading European research and standardization activities, including the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The successful candidate will therefore benefit from close interaction with academia, industry, and code-development bodies, gaining access to an international research network and opportunities to contribute to the future development of structural design standards.

For additional information please contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Odenbreit or Dr. Teodora Bogdan

Your profile

• Diploma or Master's degree in Civil/ Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
• Knowledge of steel material and timber material behavior, including creep, shrinkage, and moisture effects
• Familiarity with steel composite structural systems and ULS / SLS design concepts
• Experience in structural dynamics and/or vibration analysis is an added asset
• Familiarity with finite element modelling (e.g. ABAQUS) and probabilistic methods is an asset
• Strong interest in laboratory experimental work
• Willingness to enroll as PhD-student at Uni.lu
• Operational Language Requirements: Very good command of English (B2). Good working knowledge (B1) of German or French is an asset

Academic Eligibility (Thesis):

Applicants must demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis. For details and accepted certificates, please visit the Application for admission - Doctoral Candidates.

We offer

• A modern, dynamic university with a personal and inclusive atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from more than 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
• An exceptional research environment, supported by skilled staff and high-quality equipment. Strong links to professional sectors and the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban campus with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and a wide range of non-academic partners including ministries, local governments, associations, and NGOs

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter presenting your motivation for this doctoral thesis topic, and explaining how your qualifications and aspirations align with its academic focus
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Recommendation letters

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Candidates should apply ONLINE formally through the HR system by 31^st of October 2026. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval Campus
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL08431

The yearly gross salary for every Doctoral researcher at the UL is EUR 44531 (full time).