Postdoc in circular business models innovation and experimentation. - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) is an international and interdisciplinary centre of excellence at Lund University. 

Subject description

The post-doctoral candidate will work in the area of circular business model innovation and experimentation in the solar industry.

The work will be carried out in the context of an international European project: the ‘Circular business models for the solar power industry’ (CIRCUSOL), a Horizon 2020 project funded by the European Commission. Through a co-creative approach with end-users and the entire value chain, CIRCUSOL will develop two main blocks of a circular business model: circular product management with re-use paths in addition to recycling, and value-added new product-services for different end-users. Five large-scale demonstrators will be set up in Europe to validate market acceptance, business viability and resource efficiency benefits. 

The post-doctoral candidate will develop knowledge on, and methods and tools for circular business model innovation, co-creation and experimentation in the solar industry. This will include different approaches, such as analysis of economic and environmental viability and testing the customer and wider propositions associated with new circular business models in the solar industry, for example through co-creation and business experimentation type of methods.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. 

The post-doctoral candidate will develop circular business model frameworks, configurations, tools and methods and co-creation methodologies. The candidate will also develop circular business experimentation methodologies and support the execution of demonstrators and experiments in the solar industry in Europe. Also, the candidate will be involved in the development of economic and environmental assessment tools and methods. 

The candidate will collaborate in close interaction with stakeholders in industry as well as wider society. In relation to this an important part of the project includes ‘Dissemination’ and the candidate is expected to take a proactive role in a range of dissemination activities. 

The candidate is expected to teach in Masters programmes run by the IIIEE in English. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to supervise doctoral students. Finally, the candidate will be involved in administration.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• A strong research focus and capacity to independently conduct and successfully finalize research
• Capacity to publish in established academic journals in sustainability sciences
• Ability to interact and collaborate with different types of stakeholders including industry
• Proven teaching and pedagogical skills, including supervision of Master students
• Project management and administration skills (and potentially, experience with EU projects)
• Understanding of broader sustainability issues
• Familiarity with sustainability tools / methods for sustainable (business model) innovation
• Familiarity with start-up context and/ or Lean Startup approach 
• Ability to operate at the intersection of business and science
• Good cross-cultural communication skills and experience with international cooperation
• Being able to and interested in co-operating in a multidisciplinary research group with business, societal stakeholders and knowledge institutes.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and submitted online. The following documents need to be submitted together with cover letter:

• CV with: contact information for three references, proven record of research skills, e.g. academic publications, reports; and evidence of pedagogical skills
• Research plan (max 3 pages) in line with the described topic and should be in line with research conducted at the IIIEE