Assistant Professor in Risk management with a focus on risk and preparedness consideration in land use planning

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor

The Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, at the Department of Building and Environmental Technology, conducts research and education in societal risk and crisis management. The focus of our research and teaching is to develop knowledge about how individuals, organizations, and society prevent, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and learn and adapt to events that may threaten something of value. We also carry out research aimed at developing methods, processes, and other types of artifacts that can be used to better understand and manage risks, crises, and disasters in a variety of contexts – both in peacetime and during heightened preparedness.

Currently, the division employs 23 people, with an additional 8 affiliated staff representing a wide range of backgrounds and expertise: engineers, psychologists, sociologists, among others. We value diversity in terms of our employees’ backgrounds and competencies.

The current position is intended to strengthen the division in the areas of risk analysis and risk management, particularly with a focus on how these tools can be applied within the framework of physical planning and taking risks and crisis preparedness into consideration in physical planning.

Subject

Risk management with a focus on risk and preparedness consideration in land use planning.

Subject description

Risk analysis and risk management are essential tools for building safe and resilient societies, as they can be used to incorporate risk and preparedness considerations into regional plans, comprehensive plans, and detailed development plans, as well as in relation to hazardous activities. Relevant risks include industrial hazards, transport of hazardous material, natural hazards, and intentional threats (such as terrorism and situations requiring heightened alert). Risk analyses and risk management are conducted to support well-informed decision-making, where different societal goals can be balanced – something particularly important in land use planning, where decisions may have long-term consequences. Both qualitative and quantitative risk analyses and risk management processes are valuable when safety, preparedness, and resilience are considered in land use planning and when assessing risks associated with hazardous activities. It is especially important to be able to select and design methods and approaches that are tailored to the specific purposes and conditions of the context in question.

Work duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Teaching with focus on commissioned education, including development of new commissioned education.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Sufficient proficiency in Swedish to carry out educational and administrative tasks.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

Experience in developing and conducting commissioned education for professionals in risk analysis and risk management, particularly within process safety. Experience in practical work within the field of risk analysis and risk management across various industries and roles, including industry, business, and public authorities, both in Swedish and international contexts..

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

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.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Risk management with a focus on risk and preparedness considerations in land use planning

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding in competition.