Doctoral student with focus on Sustainable Steel Transitions - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The division of Environmental and Energy Systems Studies (IMES) at Lund University carries out research in the closely interlinked spheres of energy, environment, economy, technology, security, and development. Important research areas include low carbon transitions and governance of those, biomass and bioenergy, renewable energy and energy efficiency, climate and energy policies and energy security. The research involves policy analysis, transition studies, energy and environmental system studies, life cycle analyses and technology assessments.

The steel industry is responsible for between 7 to 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Development within the steel industry is currently moving fast and technologies for producing steel with close to zero emissions are being introduced today. The challenge is now to understand how fast the steel industry can, or should, be transformed, which side effects this huge transition will have, and how various policy frameworks affect the possibility to achieve a sustainable steel transition. The doctoral student will work in this field with a group of highly motivated senior researchers and fellow PhD students.  

Research Subject
Technology and Society.

This research area encompasses multi- and interdisciplinary studies of technology’s role, interplay and importance in different sectors of society. The research entails both qualitative and quantitative studies, and is often characterised by diverse methods and theoretical perspectives from both technical, political and economic sciences.

Research project in analyzing the framework conditions for a sustainable steel transition
The PhD candidate will be connected to the research programme ”Analysis of framework conditions for a steel transition in the EU and globally” funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. The overarching aim of this research programme is to further develop the knowledge on how the steel industry can be decarbonised to meet long-term sustainability targets. The programme is a follow up of earlier research programme HYBRIT RP1 WP6 (https://www.hybritdevelopment.se/en/research-project-1/) and is conducted together with Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), LeadIT (Leadership group on Industrial Transitions) and HYBRIT Development AB and includes, apart from the PhD candidate, one junior and three senior researchers from LU and SEI. 

Work duties for the PhD student
In this project, the PhD candidate is expected to analyse steel sustainability transitions with a focus on circularity and green industrial policy. The work will include technology assessments and techno-economic analysis of scrap flows and their markets, and the work can also be expanded to further explore e.g. green industrial polices in the EU and/or globally, the political economy of recycling, or other research questions as they evolve during the project.

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 departemental duties limited to no more than 20% of the time.

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 equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Technology and Society if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits awarded in the second cycle relevant to the subject area.

Additional requirements:

• 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. 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.

Additional merits that will be considered:

• Experience from working in research projects, especially interdisciplinary.
• Documented experience of working with quantitative methods.
• Documented experience of working with qualitative methods, e.g. interviews and text analysis.

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.

For this position, we welcome all applicants with relevant backgrounds including those with a degree in engineering, political, or economic sciences.

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:

• An outline of a tentative research design idea corresponding to the project description above (maximum 1 page)
• A CV
• Degree certificates or equivalent
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc