Doctoral student in energy transitions - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) is an international and interdisciplinary centre of excellence at Lund University. We advance knowledge on how to catalyse the transition to low-carbon and resource efficient economies across different levels of governance and management. We conduct research across the themes of international and national policy intervention, urban governance and experimentation, business management and practice, and consumption governance.

Subject description

There is a growing number of technical solutions for transforming and using energy for the needs of economies and societies while minimising greenhouse gas emissions. These include solar, wind and nuclear power, carbon capture and sequestration, and low-carbon solutions for industry, transport, and heating.

Some of these solutions are still at the demonstration stage while others are already widely used in some countries and sectors. Can these technologies be expanded sufficiently rapidly to meet national and international climate goals? This major scientific question is commonly addressed through mathematically projecting future energy scenarios, but it is unclear whether such scenarios are feasible given socio-economic and political circumstances of the real world. The research agenda in this area includes mastering key disciplinary perspectives on energy transitions and gathering systematic empirical evidence in order to  advance the understanding of non-technical feasibility of low-carbon energy futures in Sweden and Northern Europe.

Work duties

The PhD student would contribute to MISTRA-Electric project funded by MISTRA (Sweden’s independent foundation for strategic environmental research), particularly within Work Package 3 (Non-technical feasibility) which aims to use evidence from historic and ongoing energy transitions in Sweden, Northern Europe and other countries to assess the feasibility of different energy transition pathways to net zero emissions in Sweden. Within this research, the PhD student will work closely with MISTRA-Electric team on collecting and analysing data and preparing research reports and academic publications as well as participating in relevant meetings. The student will be a member of an international research group POLET (www.polet.network) with strong national and international research connections.

The PhD student will learn to develop and apply scientific approaches to evaluate whether various technical solutions can be deployed sufficiently rapidly to meet climate objectives given socio-economic and political circumstances of the real world. This includes mastering key disciplinary perspectives on energy transitions (socio-technical, techno-economic and political) and gathering systematic empirical evidence, interpreted through statistical and other models in order to  advance the understanding of non-technical feasibility of low-carbon energy futures in Sweden and Northern Europe.

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 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 energy transitions if he or she has:

• a Masters or equivalent degree with relevance to energy transitions;
  
  

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 benefit 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:

• Documented competence of academic writing
• Documented experience in quantitative methods
• Skills in data analysis, programming and data visualisation are an advantage;
• Working knowledge of Swedish and/or another Northern European language is an advantage.

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.). The applicants should also include a research proposal (max 3 pages) in the focus area of this research. The proposal should outline the knowledge gap and a way to address it within the timeline and resources of this doctoral study.