Doctoral student in Architecture with focus on Sustainable Living Environments - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Agenda 2030 is the framework for sustainable development that the world’s nations have signed to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, solve the climate crisis, promote peace and equity and much more. In order to achieve the goals, research has several important roles: to identify challenges and conflicting objectives, contribute new solutions, generate dialogue and learning between different societal stakeholders and critically analyse the goals. Lund University aspires to be a part of the solution and has therefore started a graduate school focusing on societal challenges, sustainability issues and Agenda 2030. We now welcome to the graduate school applicants from various disciplinary backgrounds who want to take an active role in Agenda 2030 research. The graduate school offers a unique opportunity to gain interdisciplinary perspectives on global challenges and contribute to current research while deepening your subject knowledge.

The graduate school will have at least 12 doctoral students from all faculties. You will be associated with a specific research studies programme, and simultaneously take part in the interdisciplinary research studies courses as well as other activities arranged by the graduate school, such as seminars, conferences, study trips and collaboration with various societal stakeholders.

More information about the graduate school is available here: https://www.sustainability.lu.se/agenda-2030-graduate-school

Lund University hereby invites applications for a Doctoral (PhD) student position at the Graduate School Agenda 2030, with placement at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, LTH. The Department’s research topics with relevance for Agenda 2030 concern, for example, life in public spaces; spaces for rituals and cultural expressions; sustainable storm water management; the territories of consumption; digital design methods; reuse of buildings and environments; outdoor lighting and other environmental factors that support physically active transportation; human experience of biodiversity and cultural ecosystem services; solar energy production in urban environments; daylight in urban densification; user influence in post-disaster reconstruction; housing community for integration; urban design and microclimate etc.

Subject description
One of the Agenda 2030 goals is Sustainable cities and communities. Due to the current pace of urbanization, the majority of the world’s population come of age, work and live in cities, which means that urban areas are becoming ubiquitous arenas for everyday life. Global dilemmas in terms of population growth and urbanization, climate change and its effects, social injustice, and segregation are tangible examples of complex issues that are most evident in densely populated areas.

The design of the physical environment is key to the generative aspects of sustainable urban development. Strategies and policies at different levels emphasize the importance of carefully designed spaces for urban life and work. Environmental factors encompasses a crucial role in people's well-being. Additionally, the design of environments in urban as well as rural contexts is crucial for ecologically sustainable development, biodiversity, and adaptation to climate change.

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. 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 for third cycle studies in Architecture if he or she has:

• at least 120 credits in subjects of relevance to the field and sufficient proficiency in Swedish or English to be able to complete the programme.

Other requirements:

• Master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture or urban planning, or similar field completed nationally or internationally.
• Very good knowledge in English, in speech and writing. Good knowledge in Swedish, in speech and writing.

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 qualifications:

• The assessment will particularly consider educational and / or professional experiences with relevance to the area of sustainable living environments.
• International experiences are meritorious.

Consideration will also be given to good co-operation ability, commitment and autonomy as well as how the applicant, through his / her experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to cope with Doctoral studies.

Terms of employment
The successful candidate will be employed as a Doctoral student. The doctoral program is four years of full-time study. In the case of teaching and other institutional duties, the length of the position will be extended correspondingly, however no longer than 5 years (ie max. 20%). The provisions regarding employment as a Doctoral student are available at the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100), Chapter 5 1-7 §§.

Instructions for application
The application should be written in English language. The application must contain an introductory letter that motivates your interest in the position, and a project description with a tentative research question and a plan describing your intended doctoral project. Describe how your project links to Agenda 2030 and sustainable living environments and how it matches your interests and educational background. We welcome project ideas with a strong connotation to practice and / or to interdisciplinary approaches, preferably with relation to one or more of the Department's research directions. The application must also include a CV, diploma or the equivalent, as well as other information that you wish to put forth (certificates, name of references with contact information, letter of recommendation, etc.). Applicants are requested to also reply to the questions that constitute the first step in the application procedure.