Doctoral student in Petrochemicals and climate change governance - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Research subject

The doctoral student will be enrolled for third-cycle studies in the research subject Environmental and Energy Systems Studies.

Subject description: The research subject comprises studies of the interchange between energy, the environment, natural resources, technology, economy and society. A special emphasis is placed on intervention strategies to prevent and solve environmental problems. Research methods are interdisciplinary in design and, when fit for the purpose, systems-analytical. The research is concerned with advanced technology assessment including analyses of technical, economic and institutional contexts.

Work duties

The PhD candidate will be connected to the research project “Petrochemicals and climate change governance: Powerful fossil fuel lock-ins and policy options for transformative change”. The project is an interdisciplinary project in which researchers from several departments at Lund University (Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Economic History, and Political Science), IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies collaborate. The project aims to investigate different areas of the global petrochemical industry and their implications for climate change mitigation: important actors and networks in the sector; connections to and dependence on global finance and capital; the involvement of the petroleum industry in the sector; global governance and policy options. The PhD candidate is expected to contribute to several of these areas in her/his work. It is thus expected that the PhD student will work with both quantitative data, e.g. from databases on foreign direct investments, as well as qualitative analysis, e.g. case studies based on interviews and documents.

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 the applicant:

• 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 Environmental and Energy Systems Studies if the applicant has:

• completed a specialised project of at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the field

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:

Ability to develop research plans and communicate results Good communication and cross-cultural skills Experience from working in research projects, especially interdisciplinary ones. Documented experience of working with databases and quantitative methods Documented experience of working with qualitative methods, e.g. interviews and text analysis Proficiency in Swedish, to take part in teaching duties at the department

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, skills, and educational background. The application must also contain:

CV Degree certificate or equivalent Grade transcripts An outline of a research design corresponding to the project description above (maximum 2 pages) Master thesis or similar degree project Other documents you wish to be considered (contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)