Open position: PhD Candidate – Simulation of Electrification in Forest Transport on Roads

Background

For the forestry industry, with its long and heavy transports, electrification poses particular challenges. However, the introduction of the world's first battery-powered timber truck last year demonstrated the technical feasibility of such solutions. The widespread adoption of battery-powered timber trucks imposes new requirements on the entire transportation system, where vehicles, charging infrastructure, and users form a complex system with multiple stakeholders. Decisions regarding the technical design of vehicles will impact logistics setups and business models, and vice versa.

Research Questions

Battery size is a central parameter – a larger battery provides a longer range but also represents a significant investment, increased resource usage, and reduced load capacity. The design of the vehicle, including the choice of battery and charging strategy, will influence how transports are made and where infrastructure needs to be developed. These decisions are closely interconnected with strategic and tactical decisions within organisations.

The goal of the PhD project is to develop new methods and models to describe how technical choices affect and are affected by the overall system. The project will analyze how battery-powered timber trucks should be designed as part of a sustainable transportation system. The PhD candidate will create simulation models based on qualitative and quantitative data/information, utilizing methods such as Agent-Based Simulation and/or System Dynamics models.

Read more and apply for the position (Swedish only): Doktorand - simulering av elektrifiering av skogstransporter på väg (skogsforsk.se)