Researcher in Economic History, 20%, 12 month

Lund University announces a position as researcher in Economic History. The position starting 1st of January 2024 at the department of Economic History, Lund University School of Economics and Management.

The employment is 20 percent of full time.

Subject area and duties

The subject area is Economic History.

The position consists of research. The project in which the prospective researcher will work aims to enhance the sustainable, resilient, and fair development of rural and dispersed communities living in dry areas of Colombia, where the climate-water-biodiversity interactions have become a challenge for human well-being and nature. Climate change threatens natural processes for water systems and accelerates biodiversity loss. Similarly, biodiversity loss and water scarcity has exacerbated the negative impacts of climate change on nature. Should future consequences of climate change mirror these effects, the negative impact on human and natural life may be irreversible (IPCC, 2023).

The project relies on institutional economics and related fields to think about common pool resources (CPRs) and the role of social capital within rural and dispersed communities that rely on aquifers for water consumption and irrigation in dry forest areas. The project uses participatory cartography, customary law toolkits and framed field experiments to collect data and address the questions above.

Eligibility 

To be employed the applicant must have a PhD in Economics and demonstrated experienced with mixed methods of research. The applicant must also hold research expertise in the area of Economic Development with a focus on innovation, sustainable development, blue economy and poverty. 

The tasks for the part-time researcher (20%) include, but are not restricted to the following:

1. Literature review on the water-biodiversity-climate change nexus, particularly looking at how different economic activities in the communities affect the use of water and the nexus with biodiversity and climate change (WP1)
2. Primary data collection, including the design of interview guides and questionnaires as well as the analysis of the collected information (WP1)
3. Evaluation of outputs of different soil uses and water governance over time, including comparisons across local frameworks and contexts, considering different institutional frameworks, changes of economic activities within four scenarios (conservation and restoration, business as usual, small livelihoods and partnerships) (WP2)

Assessment criteria

The School of Economics and Management aims at a balance between research and teaching. Equal importance will therefore be given to scholarly and pedagogical skills when assessing the applicants. Administrative competence can be also taken into account.
In the overall assessment of scholarly skills special weight will be given to publications in peer-reviewed journals and in publishing houses with an international peer-review system. Publications in the research fields of the project is a merit. Special weight will also begiven to experience from international collaboration and participation in research networks. Moreover, the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society and to inform about research will be assessed.
Pedagogical qualifications include training in teaching and learning in higher education, pedagogical experience and pedagogical skills. Experience of teaching on innovation, sustainable development, Latin America and the Caribbean and blue economy is a merit. 
Consideration will be given to how the applicant's skills and experience can strengthen and supplement the existing research and teaching activities within the Department.

Application

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae and publication list
3. Description of qualifications in research and teaching, maximum of three pages
4. One selected paper (publication or working paper, as web link or PDF)
5. Certificates, etc.

The applicant is encouraged to name a maximum of two persons who can give recommendations, but we do not consider recommendation letters with the application.

Other

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