Three PhD student interviews
Lukas Dahlström
Age: 27- From: Gotland, Sweden
- Previous education: MSc in Energy systems engineering, Uppsala University
- Unexpected talent: Can play many musical instruments
- In my spare time: I like to have dinners, attend events, play board games
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Describe the Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment with three words: Meaningful, Inclusive, Fun
What made you apply for a PhD position, and why did you choose the PhD programme in Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Uppsala University?
The PhD programme I’m enrolled in suited me perfectly since it was a part of UU Campus Gotland Research School in Sustainability, and sustainability have been one of my main interests within my life and education. My focus has also been on energy, systems perspectives and also some social studies, which makes the civil engineering discipline one of the best suited engineering tracks for me to pursuit.
Why did you pick a research career track? How is it different from being in industry?
I’ve always been interested in learning and finding out new things, which makes the research environment perfect, but I am also very cut out for the academic working life in general. I enjoy the difference in responsibilities, collaborations with many different stakeholders and disciplines, and the flexible working hours.
Can you describe your research with a few sentences?
I am looking at ways of predicting the future energy demand, using energy modelling for buildings and transports, as a means of studying the transition into a 100% renewable energy system. Energy Transition Gotland is a pilot project that also includes three other PhD students.
What makes your research interesting?
To be able to predict the energy demand can be very useful for a number of societal applications. How to get there is also very interesting since a city or a large energy system is very complex and multi-layered. It’s a real detective’s work, trying to find which aspects that can be taken into account or not!
How would you describe your daily work as a PhD student?
The daily work is usually a combination of your own research work, teaching or supervision of Bachelor/Master students, and taking courses or attending seminars. Also supervision meetings, meetings about upcoming research, new ideas and a lot of intense discussions in general.
And a lot of fika!
What is the best part of being a doctoral student in Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Uppsala University? And, is there maybe anything about it that is less enjoyable?
It is a very open division with a very friendly work environment, with a lot of extra activities such as seminars. To be a part of the research school at Campus Gotland is also great, especially to have such a large group of other PhD students as colleagues, and from so many different departments and disciplines as well. I feel like I benefit a lot from being a part of both, but it can of course also be demanding to be a part of two campuses. It usually results in more management and a lot of travelling.
What do you think about Uppsala University (Campus Gotland) and the city of Visby?
Visby is a wonderful city, which is very different from Uppsala. It is small but it still happens a lot (even in winter), with a lot of culture events and good restaurants etc.
Campus Gotland is also a very nice campus, I like the size of it, since it gets more condensed and cosy. All employees, regardless of department, comes closer to each other which creates a sort of interdisciplinary ‘vibe’ of the Campus. The social group of all PhD students on CG is also a mix of people from so many areas, and not just your own, which I think is very rewarding.
What plans do you have after graduation?
I plan to look for a related Post-Doc position, and stay within the research track. Where that will be, and what will happen afterwards, is still very much open!
Do you have any advice to future PhD students?
Do not think that too much need to happen in the beginning – getting into the research and academic work life takes a lot of time. And do not, as many PhD students do, fall for the impostor syndrome – can I do this, am I really right for this work? Of course you are, you got the position!
Fatemeh Johari
Age: 35- From: Iran
- Previous education: MSc Solar Energy Engineering
- Describe the Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment with three words: Ambitious, talented and dynamic
What made you apply for a PhD position, and why did you choose the PhD programme in Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Uppsala University?
I always wanted to pursue my studies but it was just a matter of time. From the day I started doing my master's degree, I had an eye on the announced positions until I found the right one. Actually, when I applied for this position I was working on my thesis on a similar ground. So, I was lucky that everything happened at the right time.
Why did you pick a research career track ? How is it different from being in industry?
It is hard to say why I picked this career. It wasn’t a decision that I made in one night. Maybe a series of events made me change my path from industry to academia. But what I can say for sure is that I like to read, learn and explore new things and I think, no other job opportunity other than research can offer me this.
Can you describe your research with a few sentences?
My research is about developing models for understanding how, where and when in the building stock the energy is used. These types of models are called “Urban Building Energy Models”.
What makes your research interesting?
My research is bout understanding the patterns of energy use in buildings and this is exactly what makes my research interesting. Despite seeming simple, it is a whole world to explore. Adding to that, I am not working on one building but rather hundreds or thousands of buildings with all their variations. It never gets boring and there is always something new about it.
Describe an ordinary day at work.
It may sound cliché, but it is very dependent on the ongoing tasks and the projects. But no matter what, every day there are meetings to join, articles to reads, and projects (or models) to compute, analyze, or document. If one like me has department duties like teaching, anything related to that is also added to the daily schedule, from time to time.
What is the best part of being a doctoral student in Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Uppsala University? And, is there maybe anything about it that is less enjoyable?
The Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment has many exceptional qualities, from its friendly environment to its positive attitude toward new ideas. As a PhD student I can say that in general, the best part of being a PhD student at the Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment is the chance that is given to us to explore and choose what is best the do. We also get plenty of support not only from our supervisors but also from colleagues and fellow phd students at the division.
What do you think about Uppsala University and the city of Uppsala?
What I like the most about Uppsala University is its open and lively environment and I like the fact that the university puts no limit on knowledge and creativity. And about the city, I like history, so what is better than living in an old city with many historical attractions to explore. But this is not the only thing I like about Uppsala. Although it is not a big city, it always has a lot to offer. No matter if you are into social activities, nature, sport or so on, there are always things to do in Uppsala.
What plans do you have after graduation?
My first choice is to continue my career in academia. But we never know what life might bring us.
Do you have any advice for future PhD students?
You are going to start an exciting journey, so enjoy every moment of it but at the same time be prepared for any challenges. Never compare yourself or your tasks with others and remember that quality is more important than quantity. And the final word, embrace the opportunity and do not be afraid of thinking out of the box.
Reza Fachrizal
Age: 29- From: Indonesia
- Previous education: Master in Renewable Electricity Production from Uppsala University, Sweden. Bachelor in Electric Power Engineering from Institute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia.
- Describe the Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment with three words: young, lagom, supportive
- Unexpected talent: Singing in the laundry room.
- In my spare time: I like to go biking and strolling around Uppsala with my wife and children, play football, have a food feast with friends.
What made you apply for a PhD position, and why did you choose the PhD programme in Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Uppsala University?
I have always been passionate about energy and sustainability. Long short story, I came to Sweden, specifically to Uppsala University, to pursue a master degree in this field, since I know that Sweden and Uppsala University are among the best places to study energy and sustainability. At Uppsala University, my interest in sustainable energy research has grown even more especially after I started doing my degree project at the Built Environment Energy System Group (BEESG) which is now part of the division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment. And it turned out that I also fell in love with the work-life balance and family friendly culture in Sweden.
I remember that while I was still doing my master thesis, there was an open PhD student position with a research topic in electric vehicle smart charging in the built environment considering solar energy production which fits perfectly my research interest. There was no hesitation at that time that I should apply for the position. I am very grateful that I got the position!
Why did you pick a research career track? How is it different from being in industry?
Before I went to Sweden for my master study, I worked for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company with expertise in solar power systems. I was part of the electrical engineering team. My research in my PhD studies is still related to solar energy. I can say, topic wise they are similar. The difference is that in industry it is often that we just need things working without necessarily knowing ‘Why’. In research, beside get things working, you have to know the ‘Why’. Industry job is about getting things done and working. Research job is about answering unanswered questions. As for now I am enjoying doing research!
Can you describe your research with a few sentences?
So my planned PhD thesis title is ‘Synergy between photovoltaic generation and electric vehicle charging in urban energy systems: Optimization models for smart charging and vehicle-to-grid’.
I developed models for electric vehicle smart charging system that maximize the solar energy use and minimize the bad impacts of both electric vehicle charging load and solar power generation to the power grids. I also do system level assessments on how the electric vehicle smart charging systems considering solar power generation can improve the performances of the energy systems in cities.
I specifically do math modeling, i.e., statistical model and optimization, and computer simulation for smart charging algorithm considering solar power generation.
What makes your research interesting?
Maybe you have heard a lot of cool stuff about both solar energy and electric vehicles. They are clean, sustainable and thus makes the earth more livable. I personally think, yes they are. But how do they impact the existing power and energy systems technically? I think that one question makes this research interesting. Well, in fact, intermittent PV generation and high EV charging loads pose new challenges for the power grids. Then the next question of my research is, how can we minimize the bad consequences of integrating large scale solar energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the power systems? That is another question that makes this research interesting.
So in short, we are trying to provide more justified reasons on why we should deploy such sustainable energy technologies. And try to find solutions to make the not-so-cool parts of these technologies become cool. It is interesting right?
How would you describe your daily work as a PhD student?
As written in the study plan, more than 60% is research work, 20 % is coursework and less than 20% is teaching work. So, my daily work as a PhD student lingers around these activities and mostly on research. I mostly sit in front of computer doing programming and simulation for energy systems. Often I have insightful meetings and talks with my supervisors, colleagues and sometime with external partners too. But I can say that research is a brainwork. During Covid time, I worked from home a lot. And my wife often saw me do nothing. In fact when it looks like I do nothing, my mind is working hard. And often, I got the answers to questions in my research from that ‘doing nothing’.
What is the best part of being a doctoral student in Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Uppsala University? And, is there maybe anything about it that is less enjoyable?
The research group consists of positive, dynamic and innovative people with very conducive environment for research. And they are fun too! No wonder that the employee satisfactory score in this research division is very high.
Less enjoyable? Not directly related to the PhD studies and the division. But the fact that geographically Sweden is so far away from my home country, Indonesia, sometimes make it hard for me and my family when we are feeling homesick.
What do you think about Uppsala University and the city of Uppsala?
Uppsala University is the oldest university in the Nordic and recognized as being among the top 100 universities in the world. I think it tells how nice it is to study here. Uppsala as a city is calm and beautiful, yet it is close to Stockholm and the airport which makes it a nice city to live. And as a father to two small children, it is very nice that you can find free outdoor playground in every around 200 meters in Uppsala.
What is it like to come from another country and do PhD studies in Sweden?
My perception on doctoral studies changed after I saw and experienced the doctoral study in Sweden myself (and most likely it is similar in Sweden’s neighbor countries). From what I heard and read, in most doctoral study schemes around the world, students need to pay for tuition fee, either by the students themselves or by someone else such as via scholarships. Here in Sweden, no tuition fee and you get benefits which can support a decent life not only for the students themselves but also for their families. Decent salary, health insurance coverage for the whole family, affordable small children’s education, abundant parental leaves, the list goes on. That means that you can do two PhDs (read: Philosophical Doctor education and Parenthood) in harmony. I believe that here, you can have a work-life balance as a PhD student, in which in many countries you can’t. I always remember what my supervisor said to me: ‘Do not work yourself to death!’.
What plans do you have after graduation?
I am open to opportunities in both academia and industry. For now, I am really enjoying my time doing research.
Do you have any advice to future PhD students?
I could give an advice to future PhD students with a family. Consider doing it in Sweden! Doing a PhD is already hard, do not make it harder by sacrificing the quality of your family life. I personally believe that Sweden is among the best places (if not the best) to do a PhD while raising a family.