Doctoral student in Environmental Psychology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Vacancy announcement for doctoral studentship within the Lund University Agenda 2030 Graduate School

Subject description
Environmental Psychology studies how humans experience their environment, are affected by it, and how humans impact the environment. The discipline involves the physical and the social environment and their interplay. Currently research is carried out on people and outdoor lighting, experiences of urban environments and mobility, human behaviour in relation to energy efficiency in buildnings, and public perception of wildlife management. Research results have practical implications for understanding the individual’s role in the achievement of the global sustainability goals.

Work duties
The position is placed at the Environmental Psychology research group at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. The position is included in the Lund University Agenda 2030 Graduate School more information is available here: https://www.sustainability.lu.se/education/agenda-2030-graduate-school and part of the NorDark-project https://www.nordforsk.org/projects/unconventional-methods-inform-sustainable-design-mediating-needs-people-and-nature-nordic  

The graduate school has PhD students enrolled with all faculties of the university. You will be associated with a specific research studies programme, and simultaneously take part in two of the university-wide interdisciplinary research studies courses, developed on the basis of the issues defined by the Sustainable Development Goals. The courses provide great potential to develop new forms of collaboration and work for change across disciplinary boundaries. Besides the research courses, you will participate in several activities linked to the graduate school in order to take an active part in the global sustainability agenda and to advance the research front on issues concerning the 2030 Agenda, for example through seminars, conferences, study trips and collaborations with various societal stakeholders.

The NorDark-project is transdisciplinary and aims to develop tools and guidance for outdoor lighting that support more environmentally conscious and sustainable urban neighbourhoods mediating the needs of wildlife and people. The research strives to develop new knowledge and technology crucial to design for sustainability in urban after-dark environments. Environmental psychology will based in psychological theories and methods focus on what constitutes adequate lighting of urban green spaces for people. A psychological perspective will be applied to consider the balance between lit and dark places, and the configuration of the light in relation to the surrounding greenery and wildlife.

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 research involves literature studies, field work with quantitative and qualitative methods in Uppsala, Sweden and Ålesund, Norway, anlysis and scientific writing. 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 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 psychology if the applicant has:

• at least 90 credits in subjects of relevance to the field including at least 60 second-cycle credits and a second-cycle degree project of at least 30 credits in the field, or
• a second-cycle degree in a relevant 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:

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:

• University education in environmental psychology
• Experience of multi-disciplinary collaboration
• Experience of data collection in field and quantitative and qualitative analyses
• University education in psychology or similar, or education in ecology or lighting with extensive experiences of behavioural sciences.
• Basic knowledge in Swedish

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 an Introductory letter (500-750 words) Briefly describe why you are interested in research studies at Lund University, why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. On the basis of your disciplinary background, describe how, through the graduate school, you could contribute to innovative thinking and boundary-crossing research linked to the 2030 Agenda. How can your experiences be connected to the Agenda 2030 Graduate School/the 2030 Agenda?

If applicable include MA Thesis. 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.).