Post-doctoral position in environmental psychology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description 

Environmental psychology deals with people’s perception of their surroundings and in turn how people are influenced by these perceptions, as well as how people’s behaviour affects the environment. The subject addresses both the physical and the social environment and their interplay. The physical emvironments under investigation are interiors, city scapes and/or landscapes. Currently research is conducted on the interplay between man and lighting, people's mobility in the urban environment and the public's experience of nature and biodiversity. The research group includes three senior researchers, two of which are professors, and a lecturer and three PhD students.

The current position concerns energy efficient lighting in indoor and outdoor environments with a specific focus upon user behaviour. The subject covers people's perceptions, feelings and behaviour, linking the individual’s need in different situations to regulation and control of light levels. The research is based on intervention studies aiming to evaluate design and visual communication in relation to lighting technology in energy-efficient buildings and urban environments. The studies include children, the elderly and people with special needs.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion 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.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Research within the subject area
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Actively seeking external research funding
• Collaboration with industry and wider society
• Administration related to the work duties listed above

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 environmental psychology, 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.

• Basic education in architecture
• Experience of using methodology in environmental psychology among both children and adults.
• Experience of measuring energy efficiency in buildings.
• Experience of working with different lighting systems.
• Skills to independently handle problems in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Social skills in communicating with representatives from different user groups, participating companies, municipalities and universities, nationally and internationally.
• Flexibility (skills to handle a variety of different tasks, including measurement data, collection and analysis of data, teaching and administration).

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.

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. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/index.php?id=71223