Postdoctoral fellow in political science focused on agent-based modelling

Are you our next postdoc with a focus on modelling social learning for multi-use and alternative forestry?

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position to develop an agent-based model of social learning processes in forest use and management. The deadline for applications is 30 August 2024.

Project description

The position is part of the 4-year research project ‘Multi-use forestry, private forest ownerships, and social learning networks: Approaching family forest owners as grassroots agents for alternative forest management’ – MultiForSe (https://www.slu.se/en/faculties/s/about-the-faculty/alternative-forest-management-methods/multiforse/).

Methodologically, the project combines qualitative interviews, a national survey, and agent-based modelling to capture how networked, bottom-up innovation processes change existing forestry practices. The MultiForSe project aims at understanding which multifunctional forestry practices are applied today and could be relevant in the future, as well as providing suggestions for policy measures that support the use of alternative forest management.

The position is part of the work package in which insights from both qualitative interviews and a national survey will be operationalized in an agent-based model. Here, the focus is on capturing the social dynamics and networked learning processes that emerge in interaction between users.

You will work in an interdisciplinary environment that is focused on applied and solution-oriented research of strategic relevance to help societal transformation.

Main responsibilities

The postdoctoral project will develop an agent-based model to simulate forest management in Sweden with a focus on how innovative practices emerge and requisite knowledge diffuses among family forest owners. The goal is to better understand the conditions under which small-scale changes to forest practice can induce broader social processes that establish new regimes of practice and how policy interventions can influence such processes.

The tasks included in this position are as follows:

• Utilise an agent-based model (the project intends to use the CRAFTY model https://landchange.imk-ifu.kit.edu/CRAFTY) to simulate aspects of the Swedish forest sector while integrating insights from existing qualitative interviews and survey data.
• Lead two scientific articles based on the agent-based model outcomes.
• Collaborate with PhD student(s) working on similar projects within the research group.
• Contribute to policy briefings and stakeholder engagement activities as part of the broader project.

The recruited postdoctoral fellow will also have opportunities to contribute to the project with own ideas around social learning and societal transformation.

Qualification requirements

A postdoctoral fellow is an employee who is employed primarily for research and who has been awarded a doctoral degree or has a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree.

Requirements for the position are:

• PhD in a social science discipline, with an emphasis on natural resources. Alternatively, a natural science or technical science PhD with demonstrated social science experience is also acceptable. Examples of such degrees include, but are not limited to: political science, natural resource management, quantitative ecology, environmental or resource economics, land use science, and sustainability studies.
• Experience with agent-based modeling or related methods
• Interest in working with an interdisciplinary team

Additional qualifications for the position that are deemed as assets are:

• Experience of coding in Java, Python, C++, R or other relevant programming languages
• Experience with Nordic forest research
• Experience with empirical data analysis, including calibrating models to real-world data
• Knowledge of policy instruments and policy implementation, particularly in a natural resource context
• Swedish language skills are a particular merit

Assessment criteria

This is a merit-based position focused primarily on research. The position is intended as an initial career step and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers given the requirements stated above.

The degree must have been completed no later than before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the application deadline. An older degree may be acceptable in special circumstances. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected assignments in trade unions, service in the Swedish Armed Forces or other similar conditions, as well as clinical affiliation or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Terms of employment

The position involves at least two years of full-time employment, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances according to the Swedish national agreement ‘Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow’. The start date is November 2024, or by agreement.

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you receive special benefits, generous annual leave and a favourable occupational pension. Lund University has generous support for parental leave and favourable offers of exercise and wellness. Read more on Lund University's website about: Work at Lund University.

Application

You apply for the position via Lund University’s recruitment system Varbi. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the University no later than the application deadline.

When you apply, we ask you to fill in the information requested and attach the following documents:

• Personal letter
• CV – degrees and other education, work experience and list of publications
• Project plan/research plan (should not exceed 3 pages) that describes:
  o why you are interested in the area/project described in the advertisement
  o why and how you want to carry out the project
  o what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of proof of doctoral degree
• A single important publication to support your application.

Description of the workplace

At the Department of Political Science at Lund University, you will be part of one of Europe's foremost research environments in political science. The department safeguards the breadth of subjects and methodological diversity and is successful in the competition for external research funding. The Eden building, located in central Lund, offers an inspiring working environment with a unique combination of traditions and modern research. We have a high number of applicants for our programmes in Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies and Intelligence Analysis with just over 600 students per semester. The department has about 110 employees including about 30 PhD students. We value a good working environment highly and invest heavily in this in the form of joint activities and events.

We look forward to receiving your application!