Doctoral student, sustainable urban governance on mission-oriented innovation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The IIIEE is an international and interdisciplinary centre within Lund University that produces and shares actionable knowledge to accelerate the transitions to climate-neutral and resource-efficient economies. We do rigorous, impactful, and solution-oriented interdisciplinary research, focused on Business Management and Practice, Consumption Governance, Urban Transformation, and Policy Interventions. With a dual focus on management and policy, we educate future leaders and change agents.

Subject description

The doctoral student will work in the area of sustainable urban governance with a focus on mission-oriented innovation.

The transformation to a sustainable society involves a multitude of actors including municipalities, business, public organizations and citizens, together advancing new knowledge and going beyond traditional ways to act. Sustainable urban governance encompasses how to develop policy, tools and approaches supporting effective urban governance leading to a sustainable society.

Work duties

This position will be based at Lund University and will be part of a project called Massive Urban Missions (MUM) funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. Inspired by the “mission to the moon”, the European research and innovation missions aim to deliver solutions to some of the most significant challenges facing our world. A key mission is to achieve 100 climate neutral cities in Europe by 2030. 

The overall purpose of the MUM project is to investigate and critically reflect upon how to deliver climate neutral cities in Sweden through mission-oriented innovation. This project will involve two doctoral students (one based at Lund University and one based at Linköping University).

The MUM project will result in increased and deeper knowledge and understanding on 1) how to combine smart integrated infrastructure and mission-oriented innovation as well as 2) how to utilise the urban metabolism approach and urban living labs to contribute to climate neutral cities. Working directly with Swedish municipalities and urban living labs will also contribute to applicable knowledge and understanding to support activities on climate neutrality.

The position will be part of the national interdisciplinary graduate school in energy systems. As 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 the research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will 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 sustainable urban governance if he or she has:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant, preferably multi-disciplinary, field (e.g. sustainability studies, social science, innovation studies governance, planning, economy, management, institutional, organisational studies).

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:

• Capacity to independently carry out and successfully finalise research.
• Ability to develop research plans and produce academic publications.
• Good communication and cross-cultural skills.
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish is a benefit.
• Experiences from working in interdisciplinary projects.

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, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

• CV
• 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
• An outline of a research design corresponding to the project description above and related to the research conducted at IIIEE (maximum 3 pages)
• Degree certificate or equivalent
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).
• Relevant thesis must be attached (master’s thesis and/or bachelor’s thesis).