Master Thesis with possibility of 12 months Internship
Göteborg, Sweden

Do you want your thesis work to contribute to a more sustainable future?

Join us in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing societies, businesses, and communities around the world. By combining technical expertise, innovation, and practical experience, we develop robust infrastructure and resource-efficient, low-carbon solutions for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s generations.

This is an opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, gain valuable industry experience, and contribute to meaningful projects that make a difference

About Ramboll
At Ramboll, our strategy is to be “The Partner for Sustainable Change.” We are looking for students who want to be part of this journey and contribute to a more sustainable future through their master’s thesis work.

We offer you the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a dynamic, inspiring, and supportive environment. During your thesis, you will gain insight into real-world challenges and work in close collaboration with experienced and engaged colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines.

You will become part of a collaborative culture where innovation, technology, and sustainable societies are at the core of what we do. We believe that by learning from one another, we can create valuable development opportunities for you as a student while contributing together to a more sustainable society.

Project Overview
Major urban construction in Sweden takes place in complex geological environments featuring loose soils resting on hard crystalline bedrock. Construction activities and tunnel excavations can create direct physical pathways for mobile contaminants like PFAS to enter groundwater systems.

Traditional groundwater modelling often relies on simplified assumptions at the boundary where soil meets bedrock, failing to capture how water and pollutants move through natural fractures and complex rock topographies.

This master thesis bridges practical engineering at Ramboll Sverige AB with academic research. You will work with real hydrogeological field data from active Swedish infrastructure projects to build automated 3D groundwater models that accurately predict contaminant transport and help protect urban groundwater.

Objectives
The main goal of this project is to model how groundwater and PFAS move across the boundary where soil meets rock. Using Python (FloPy) and MODFLOW-6, you will simulate flow across both horizontal and vertical soil-rock interfaces to see whether contamination spreads sideways or drains deeper down. Finally, you will use these model results to help engineers choose real site solutions, such as grouting or containment barriers on active construction sites.

Your tasks

• Compile and analyse hydrogeological field data (core logs, pumping tests, water loss data, and SGU bedrock maps) from active infrastructure sites.
• Use Python and FloPy to set up 3D groundwater flow and contaminant transport models in MODFLOW-6 / MT3D.
• Simulate PFAS movement across horizontal and vertical soil–bedrock boundaries under different geological scenarios.
• Perform sensitivity analysis to evaluate how fracture distribution and soil depth affect contaminant spread.
• Testing model outputs against real field monitoring data.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for motivated master’s students interested in Rock Engineering, Hydrogeology, Environmental
Engineering or Water resources management.

• A background in civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydraulic engineering, or earth science is helpful.
• Basic experience or interest in Python, groundwater modelling (MODFLOW), or GIS is a plus, but enthusiasm for learning and solving real-world environmental problems is most important.

Develop with us
When you join Ramboll for your master’s thesis, we will do our best to support both your academic and professional development. To thrive in this opportunity, we believe that:

• You are currently pursuing a master degree in Civil engineering, Environmental engineering, Geotechnical engineering, or a related field
• You have an interest in modelling and are motivated to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges
• You are able to communicate effectively in English, both written and spoken
• You are curious about exploring innovative and sustainable technical solutions
• You enjoy collaborating with others while also being comfortable working independently
• You are eager to learn from experienced colleagues and contribute with your own ideas and perspectives

The project is designed for 1–2 students and has a duration of six months (30 ECTS). There is also a possibility of extending the project for up to 12 months through an internship, allowing students to continue working on the same project.

Are you ready to start working with us?
Please submit your application along with your updated CV, grade transcripts and a cover letter with a short statement of interests while submitting your application.

Application Deadline: 15/10/2026 (Please note that we reserve the right to take down the advertisement early depending on the volume of applications that we receive - thus, we would encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience.)

We value diversity in all its forms and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Thank you for considering this opportunity at Ramboll! We look forward to receiving your application.

Work at the Heart of Sustainable Change with Ramboll in Sweden
Ramboll was founded in Denmark and is a foundation-owned, international engineering, architecture, and management consultancy. At Ramboll, we believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create societies where both the environment and people can thrive. This is our starting point- it guides us in everything we do.
Our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should operate, with openness and curiosity being important parts of our culture. Ramboll in Sweden has approximately 2,000 employees across 30 offices. Ramboll experts deliver innovative solutions within Buildings, Transport, Energy, Water, Environment and Health, Landscape and Architecture, as well as Management Consulting.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. At Ramboll, we believe that diversity is a strength and that different experiences and perspectives are essential to creating sustainable societies. We actively work to create an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone feels comfortable and can reach their full potential. We also understand how important it is to find the right balance in terms of where, when, and how much you work. That is why Ramboll offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to adapt your work to your individual circumstances. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. Please let us know if there are any adjustments we can make to the recruitment process to make it more comfortable for you. You can contact us at [email protected] with any such requests.