PhD student Technology and Society with focus on traffic safety - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The doctoral student will work within Traffic Safety and Behaviour research group (www.tos.lth.se/tsb). The group performs research on a variety of subjects related to traffic safety, including policy development, evaluation of safety measures, vulnerable road users and automated vehicles. The group uses innovative methods for traffic data collection and safety evaluations, such as video analysis, surrogate measures of safety, virtual reality simulations and instrumented bicycles. It is involved in various national and international activities related to research and education in traffic safety domain.

We offer a supportive and friendly environment with many opportunities for personal growth. The group is settled in the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) campus; the office spaces went through a major renovation in 2017.

Subject description

The PhD studies will be based on several national project related to practical realisation of Vision Zero and Safe System approach in the Swedish context. It will also be connected to the Horizon Europe project AfroSAFE (www.afrosafe-eu.africa) dealing with adoption of Safe System to the conditions of low- and middle-income countries.

Work duties

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 also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

As a doctoral student you will be in charge of all the stages of the research process – problem formulation, data collection, analysis and reporting of the results in form of scientific presentations and writing. You will be supervised and supported by senior collegues, yet taking own initiatives and responsibility is also expected and encouraged.

You will have opportunities for building an extensive research network during your studies through participation in the conferences, workshops and seminars, nationally and internationally. In particular, you will develop tight working relations with the Swedish Transport Administrtion that will be highly interested in the results of your work.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Analysis of the literature on theory and practice of working within Safe System paradigm
• Analysis of the actors and stakeholders within traffic safety discourse, their functions, responsibilities, and controls
• Practical studies of road infrastructure evaluation from Vision Zero perspective, such as crash modification function (CMF) estimation for roadside zones and design of public transport stops located at high-speed rural roads
• Comparative analysis of the road safety management in Scandinavian and low- and middle income countries.

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 Technology and Society if the applicant has:

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

Additional requirements:

• You need very good oral and written proficiency in English
• You need to be fluent in Swedish or another Scandinavian language, since it’s needed for the work tasks such as analysing internal documents from The Swedish Transport Administration and carry out interviews in Sweden.
• You need to have experience working with GIS.

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:

It is considered an additional qualification if you have previous experience of working with the Swedish road transportation databases, such as NVDB, STRADA, etc. It is considered an additional qualification if you are familiar with computer programming principles and have the ability to learn new tools and programming languages if the work requires it.

• It is considered an additional qualification if you have a driving licence valid in Sweden.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

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 §§.

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.).

Welcome to apply!