Associate senior lecturer in Sustainability Science: Geographies of Sustainability - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

LUCSUS, the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (https://www.lucsus.lu.se/) includes about 40 staff (faculty, postdocs, and PhD students), who study a broad range of sustainability issues from global environmental governance to climate justice and sustainable livelihood transformations. LUCSUS also runs an international master’s programme in sustainability science (LUMES, http://www.lumes.lu.se/), with about 50 students each year from 20+ countries.

Subject area

Sustainability Science

Sustainability science is an emerging field of research studying the interactions between natural and social systems, and how those interactions affect the many challenges of achieving a more sustainable and just future for all of humanity. Research and education in Sustainability Science spans global, regional, and local issues, events, processes and relationships. The focal points are the two major interfaces between natural and social sciences and between scientific knowledge and society's use of this knowledge to promote sustainable development. Sustainability research is interdisciplinary, problem driven and solutions oriented, which draws on concepts and insights from various academic disciplines in order to understand and explain complex phenomena and finding solutions to these. Sustainability Science seeks to go beyond traditional academic disciplines and aims to create a transdisciplinary approach, bringing together scholarship and practice, by drawing on a broad combination of disciplines and collaborating with external partners through co-creation of knowledge. Sustainability research uses and further develops a wide range of scientific methods and both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Specific subject description

Geographies of Sustainability

Job description

Employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer is a career development position, which aims for the holder to develop independence as a researcher and educator. The position is a tenure track position, comprising 40% teaching and 60% research. This division may vary over time, e.g. through external research funding. In addition to conducting high-quality research and education in sustainability science, the successful candidate is expected to be able to take responsibility for the development and administration of study programmes and courses and other leadership/administrative duties. Teaching may include lectures, seminars, course development and supervision of master’s theses. The position shall include the opportunity for training in higher education teaching and learning.

Eligibility & entry requirements

A doctorate degree or the equivalent international degree in sustainability science or an adjacent academic field. Priority should be given to those who have been awarded a PhD or achieved the corresponding research competence within five years prior to the deadline for applications. Persons who obtained a PhD or the equivalent qualifications prior to that time may be considered if there are special reasons, such as sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate documented teaching competence and must be able to teach and publish in English. Swedish fluency is not required to apply, but the successful applicant is expected to learn Swedish if necessary. Language courses are offered through Lund University and supported by LUCSUS.

Importance will be given to a) scientific research of high quality, including research publications in international journals; b) teaching experience and pedagogical skills; c) the ability to conduct research both independently and in collaboration with other researchers both nationally and internationally; d) ability to contribute to the overall aims of LUCSUS research profile (https://www.lucsus.lu.se/research/research-framework); e) practical experience in the field.

Qualifications and merits

The applicant should have an interdisciplinary background with a focus on natural science and methods. The position focuses on the geographical aspects of sustainability, but as interdisciplinarity is a vital part of sustainability science and LUCSUS teaching, academic breath is considered a strong merit. Teaching will focus on broad geographical approaches to sustainability, a diverse range of quantitative methods, and solid theoretical knowledge and competence in teaching subjects such as earthsystem science, land use change, climate change, biodiversity, and water. The candidate will have the ability to infuse LUCSUS with new methodologies, as well as to lead on connecting different researchers with enthusiasm for engagement in new and emerging areas such as place-based research and connections to big data, as well as communication and outreach.In addition to teaching the applicant should have experience of running and developing courses as well as thesis supervision. Merit is also given to having developed and received research grants.

Additional requirements

• Experience of working in interdisciplinary and international projects.
• Ability to communicate research results outside of academia.
• Have established national and international contacts.

Promotion

An associate senior lecturer shall be promoted, on application, to an indefinite-term post as a senior lecturer if he/she/they is qualified for the post and is judged to be suitable in an assessment of the application in accordance with the eligibility and assessment criteria laid down by the faculty for promotion to senior lecturer and listed in the vacancy notice/person specification. An associate senior lecturer may only apply for promotion once. An application shall be submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences within three and a half years of the start of the candidate’s employment.

The assessment criteria for promotion are:

• Scientific skills and progress. This includes documented high quality of research output, primarily through international publications.
• A good national and international standing as a sustainability researcher.
• Pedagogical skills. Particular focus on documented ability to teach and supervise at the Master level, including a description of the quality and span of pedagogical competence the applicant has developed over time.
• Progression of academic leadership, e.g. the ability to develop, lead, and implement education and research and/or showing engagement in and responsibility for departmental tasks.
• Documented ability to actively, independently and successfully seek funding.
• Good ability to collaborate and communicate research with societal actors.
• Basic Swedish and excellent English language skills that enable you to carry out daily work tasks related to research, education, and administration.
• Pedagogical courses required to qualify for the position of lecturer. In the review for the promotion of lecturer, equal weight will be given to pedagogical and scientific skills.
• Other personal qualities of importance to carry out the duties of the post well.

Application process

The application should be in a PDF format and include:

• The applicant’s name and contact information
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications
• A short statement on demonstrated leadership, e.g. having taken on leadership positions or actively developed leadership skills. (approx. ½ page)
• A research plan of the research the applicant intends to pursue within the scope of the position and how this research profile can be included in the LUCSUS research profile (https://www.lucsus.lu.se/research/research-framework) (approx. 2 pages)
• A pedagogical portfolio including a documentation of pedagogic approach, ideas, performance and how the applicant intends to developing teaching skills, methods, and areas. Could also include for example sample course materials and teaching evaluations or evidence of performance in teaching-related activities (approx. 2 pages)

For information on current research and education in LUCSUS, please visit www.lucsus.lu.se

The application should be written in Times New Roman, 12pt, 1,5 line spacing, 2,5 cm margin. The front page should include the applicant’s name and contact information and contact information for three references.

Lund University sets individual salaries, please include salary claim in the application