Doctoral student in System Safety with refugee decision-making - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
Individual decisions of refugees regarding where to go, how to make a living, and how to secure a future for their children are the fundamental drivers of both the effectiveness of refugee protection and secondary refugee flows. The key objective of this research project is to gain a better understanding of refugee decision-making, in particular as regards refugees in so-called first countries of asylum, many of whom continue to face difficult choices whether to stay, move on or, in some cases, return. Theoretically, the project aims to combine insights from risk management theory and vulnerability studies in order to develop a model that allows for nuanced and quantifiable predictors of protection gaps, identification of vulnerable groups and predictors for secondary movement. The project is based on a collaboration between the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI), the University of Copenhagen and The Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, Lund University as well as research teams in two key countries of first asylum – Turkey and Lebanon.

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

The doctoral student will be part of a project team consisting of four senior researchers (based in Sweden, Denmark, Turkey and Lebanon, one post-doc (in Turkey) and one doctoral student (in Sweden). The doctoral student is expected to undertake research in line with the theoretical and methodogical framework set out by the overall project. The doctoral student is further expected to contribute to the overall coordination of the project.

The research project will formally be anchored at The Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, Faculty of Engineering (LTH), Lund University. The candidate is expected to share her/his working time between LTH and the research department of the RWI with option to undertake visiting stays at any of the partner institutions: the University of Copenhagen, American University of Beirut, and Koc University. The doctoral student will further be expected to conduct field work in Lebanon, Jordan and/or Turkey. The doctoral student reports to the two principal investigators of the project, Prof. Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen (UniCph) and Prof. Mo Hamza (LU); the latter will serve as main supervisor, the former as co-supervisor.

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 Systems Safety if he or she has:

1. a second-cycle degree project of at least 30 credits within the field, or
2. a BSc in Fire Protection Engineering amounting to 210 credits.

Additional requirements:
Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

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, namely refugee and migration studies, risk management, risk assessment and decision-making modelling.
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:

• Profiency of Arabic or Turkish is considered an advantage but not a requirement.

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

Apply for the position via the link at the bottom of the vacancy notice.

Applications shall be written in English and includes:

1. A cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and how the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
2. A capability statement outlining why you think you would be a suitable candidate and what research skills and expertise you would be bringing to the project.
3. 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.).
4. Applicants are also requested to reply to the screening questions that constitute the first step in the application procedure.