Postdoctoral Researcher: Social Nature of Extreme Climate Events

About the role
We invite applications for a creative, energetic and collaborative researcher for 3 years at LUCSUS, Lund university, Sweden and be affilitated with the Swedish Centre for Impacts of Climate Extremes (CLIMES). CLIMES is a collaboration between Uppsala University, Lund University and RISE inaugurated in 2024. The centre is at the core of an interdisciplinary scientific community, and aims to lead an engaging series of meetings, international exchanges and training events. It also serves as a hub for various national and international research projects. The project is funded by VR and will deliver high quality research along with relevant policy recommendations.The project responds to VR call for Centres of Excellence fostering interdisciplinary environments of excellence research.

Activities within CLIMES have a broad focus on impacts of climate extremes: from financial losses to impacts on ecosystems to consequences for society and public health. Specifically activities centre around three key research overarching themes (i) compile improved, freely accessible climate impact data for scientific and policy use; (ii) unravel impacts of climate extremes as an interplay of physical, societal and adaptation processes; and (iii) develop policy-actionable socio-physical scenarios of impacts from plausible future extreme events.

The post-doctoral candidate will work part of a team at LUCSUS building socio-biophysical understanding of loss and damage in relation to climate extremes. The work will contribute to novel methodological advances including storylines among hard-to-reach communities. Interest in unpacking values in society and of nature are of particular interest to the project. The geographical focus of the post-doc is Sweden, but there is opening for a global perspective.

The position will be supervised by Principal Investigator Emily Boyd (social science / climate change). The candidate will join a team of researchers at LUCSUS, Uppsala and Rise Stockholm.

Eligibility
Appointment to this position requires that the applicant, at the time of employment, has a PhD, or an international degree equivalent to a PhD, within environmental science, sustainability science, geography, human ecology.  Primary consideration will be given to candidates who has been awarded a Ph.D. degree , or an international degree equivalent to a PhD not more than three years before the application deadline.

Assessment criteria
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

Information regarding the employment 
Research Focus (80% time) 
The main research tasks for the position will be linked closely to the broader project objectives (specified above). The successful candidate will carry out collaborative and interdisciplinary research that involves desk-based and empirical methods as well as engagement with actors and users of our science and case study work related to ongoing projects.

Specifically background qualifications include:
The candidate will have broad knowledge of just transitions and the role of societal drivers in environmental change. Insights on debates regarding extreme events, climate loss and damage, in context of immobile and hard to reach populations. Experience of fieldwork in coastal and/or inland contexts in Sweden and/or similar issues from relevant contexts. Background in mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) including systematic reviews, surveys, storytelling/narrative analysis, and visualization methods. Willingness to work with researchers from other disciplines and non-academic actors is central to this role.

Administrative and Service Focus (20% time)
The main administrative tasks for the position relate to project coordination and reporting, including contributing to reports to funders, outreach materials for stakeholders as well as science communication and regular website and social media updates of project progress.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to co-supervise MSc and PhD student theses and teaching, especially those working on societal dimensions of climate change.

The ideal candidate for the position will have the following specific qualifications: 
•    A PhD degree in environmental sustainability science, human geography, political ecology, political economy or sociology or a related field.
•    Demonstrated research record, including record of successful collaboration and co-operation with others, particularly interdisciplinary collaboration in climate research environments.
•    A strong interest in interdisciplinary research across natural and social sciences, for instance combining climate change studies with social theory to create storylines, or similar.
•    Demonstrated academic writing skills, including leading the development of well-argued and clearly written scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
•    Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary, inclusive and international research team. Enthusiasm to contribute to teaching at LUCSUS and to work with master students.
•    Experience of fieldwork, awareness of research ethics, and experience working with stakeholders and teams in research with remote communities. Please address these skills directly in your research proposal.

Desired qualifications 
In addition, the following qualification strengthen a candidate’s profile:
•    Experience with research methods relevant to the research (e.g., qualitative/quantitative methods, participatory methods, policy engagement and workshops)
•    Familiarity with theories and concepts relevant to the project (e.g. vulnerability, political ecology, climate justice, intersectionality, imaginaries, storylines)
•    Management experience of research teams (e.g., supervision of students or research assistants).
•    Experience in popular science writing and communication (blog posts, social media).
•    Swedish language

Are we a good fit for each other?
At LUCSUS, we value differences, and we firmly believe that diversity contributes to an innovative environment. We are a research and educational center that connects academia, public and civil society, and we are passionate problem solvers who work on some of the most important and interesting issues in the world. At LUCSUS, you will work in a stimulating environment that offers opportunities for both professional and personal development.
Welcome with your application!

All applications for this position must go through our recruitment system Varbi. We do not accept applications by email. The application should include a cogent research plan to demonstrate an understanding of the research focus in the context of the project. The successful application will demonstrate feasibility by asking a clear and focused research question and contain a research design of sufficient detail to answer the question. (The actual research carried out over the course of the postdoc may change from the proposed plan.)

A complete application consists of:
•    Cover page: Short motivation of the applicant and connection with the position, including how this position serves future career goals. Include name and contact information of applicant (1 page max)
•    CV: Academic and professional background, detailing relevant experience, particularly research and public communication.
•    List of publications (separate peer-reviewed, technical reports, and popular science or outreach).
•    Research Proposal: Project title (max. 20 words), project abstract (max. 200 words), main research proposal text (max.1200 words) including research question(s) or hypotheses, in the context of their relevance to Climes goals, research plan, including methods and feasibility, expected outcomes and significance, and any expected results. Applications must be submitted in Times New Roman (12 pt), 1.5 line spacing, and margins 2.5 cm.

Please include names and contact information for three academic or professional references who can speak to your professional and teamwork abilities. At least one should be a former or current research supervisor.

This is a temporary employment for 3 years with a scope of 100%.

The application deadline is december 17. Feel free to contact Emily Boyd (emily.boyd@lucsus.lu.se) if you have any questions.