PhD student in Innovation Engineering (Innovation studies/Sustainability transitions) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Doctoral student in Innovation Engineerieng (Innovation studies/Sustainability transitions)

The Department of Design Sciences at LTH is located at the Ingvar Kamprad Design Center (IKDC). Design Sciences work for a sustainable society with a broad, interdisciplinary approach. CIRCLE is an interdisciplinary center for innovation research spanning several faculties at Lund University. Our aim is to understand and explain how innovation can contribute to a good society and tackle societal challenges like economic crises, climate change or increased globalization of economic activities. This aim requires advanced insights into how knowledge is created and diffused, how it is turned into innovations, and how innovations contribute to deep-structural changes in society.

Subject description

We would like to recruit a PhD student within the broad theoretical fields of innovation and transition studies, with a focus on innovation and transition policy. The position is announced as part of the recently formed Swedish Transformative Innovation Policy Platform (STIPP), which is funded by Vinnova (the Swedish Innovation Agency). STIPP brings together the strongest research environments and policy makers in the field of innovation and sustainability transitions in Sweden. Researchers at Lund University, Chalmers, Jönköping International Business School and Linköping University work together, and in close cooperation with Vinnova, to advance our understanding of the dynamics and governance of challenge-driven transformation processes and develop a more comprehensive framework for transformative innovation policy. Together with two PhD students at Chalmers, the student recruited for this position is expected to contribute to these overarching goals.

The position is placed at the Department of Design Sciences and at CIRCLE.

The position will have a specific focus on the conceptualization of multi-scalar transition dynamics and its implications for transformative innovation policy with a particular awareness for the role of a variety of actors, such as intermediary actors like consulting firms. Initially, we will focus our analysis on two of the most relevant Swedish sectors for a transition towards a bioeconomy, namely the chemical and pulp and paper industries. The empirical study will entail different methodological approaches (qualitative and quantitative) and also include organizing workshops or focus groups with relevant policy practitioners to present results and receive feedback on the research.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in the STIPP research project through independent research (under supervision) and third cycle courses. The former includes literature studies, research design and planning, empirical studies and communication of results in writing and orally at seminars and conferences. For this position, communication and collaboration with people at Vinnova as well as with other stakeholders will also be an integral part of the work. The PhD student is expected to contribute to writing scientific articles, based on the results of the research, which will be included in the PhD thesis. The work duties can also include 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 if he or she has:

1. at least 50 credits in subjects of relevance to the field, including at least 25 second-cycle credits, or
2. an MSc in Engineering, or one- or two-year Master’s degree of relevance to the field.

Examples of relevant educational background issocial sciences (e.g. sociology, political science, innovation studies, management studies, economic geography) and industrial engineering and management.

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:

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

Other assessment criteria:

• Documented skills in applying social science research methods, preferably both qualitative and quantitative
• Ability to write academic texts
• Knowledge about innovation/transition policy frameworks and skills in applying these for policy purposes
• Experience of working as a policy practitioner
• Experience in project management (including management of own degree project or similar)
• Ability to understand written and spoken Swedish (to enable document studies, interviews and communication with stakeholders)

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.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH 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 (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

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, grade transcripts and contact information for your references.