Doctoral student in Sustainable urban governance - 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. We advance knowledge on how to catalyse the transition to low-carbon and resource efficient economies across different levels of governance and management. We conduct research across the themes of international and national policy intervention, urban governance and experimentation, business management and practice, and consumption governance.

Subject description

The doctoral student will work in the area of sustainable urban governance with focus on smart symbiosis. Smart symbiosis connects energy and material flows with the purpose of creating resource efficiency and contribute to creating innovation and integration between systems. 

The three objectives of this research are 1) mapping and analyse existing cooperation and networks in ongoing symbioses 2) analyse the pre-conditions for public-private partnership and how the city can contribute to developing smart symbioses 3) in collaboration with the other doctoral students in the project develop an analytical framework for smart symbioses based on how actors can cooperate to achieve a resource effective, economical and environmental sustainable flow of material and energy. 

Work duties

The position will be based at the IIIEE and part of the national interdisciplinary graduate school in Energy systems. This project is performed in cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) at Lund University, Linköping University and Rise. The aim of the project is to develop ideas for smart symbiosis solutions by combining mathematical modelling, social network analysis and added value studies. The objectives of work to be performed by the candidate are described above.

Using a combination of methods for data collection and analysis, including case studies, focus groups, interviews, workshops, social network analysis, the research will provide a systematic, integrative and comparative analysis of how cities can work with smart symbiosis.

As the project is part of the national graduate school in Energy systems the candidate is expected to participate in courses and meetings located at different parts of Sweden. 

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in sustainable urban governance if he or she has:

• Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant, preferably multi-disciplinary, field (e.g. sustainability studies closely linked to system, networks, governance, planning, management, institutional, and/or organisational studies).
• Degree or a course related to sustainability or environmental management/policy is a requirement.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experiences from interdisciplinary projects
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Conditions

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at IIIEE consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1998:80).

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.). Relevant thesis must be attached (master thesis and/or bachelor thesis). A case assignment may be sent out in a later stage of the process.