A Research Position in Political Science with a Specialization - Under tillsättning eller tillsatt, ej sökbar

A Research Position in Political Science with a Specialization in the Politics and Governance of Plastics and Biodiversity Offsetting

Job description
The research position is part of two current research projects. One is on the politics and governance of plastics. As a ‘petroculture’, plastics is a defining feature of modern societies; a versatile material with a range of uses, from the everyday to the very specialised. While plastics have clear benefits, it also causes significant damage to the environment and human health. Research at Lund University aims toward a future society in which plastics are sustainably developed, produced, used and recycled. The projects engage an interdisciplinary group of LU researchers from biotechnology, engineering to innovation systems, political science, and a range of stakeholders along the entire value chain of plastics, from production to consumption and waste.

The researcher will be expected to carry out research on the politics and governance of plastics. This includes, for example, contributing to mapping the current socio-technical system of plastics, changes in norms and behaviour, and assess transition pathways in collaboration with stakeholders. The work will also include organising seminars and workshops, as well as field-work (case studies and advanced study-group visits) into various sites along the value chain of plastics.

The second research project in which the researcher will be expected to carry out research is on the politics and governance of biodiversity offsetting. Biodiversity offsetting is part of the governance of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The idea is that green or blue space lost in one place, for example through the construction of housing, has to be compensated for elsewhere. The governance tool is under development and the project studies this process, both in Sweden and internationally. The researcher will be responsible for a comparison between biodiversity offsetting and REDD+, which contains similar considerations and policy tools.

Qualifications
Eligibility for employment as a researcher is restricted to applicants with a Ph D degree in political science. Priority is given to applicants who have previous experience of working in projects related to the politics and governance of plastics and biodiversity offsetting. The proven ability to work and communicate in a multi-disciplinary environment is also very important as well as the ability to conduct research independently.

Other information
The projects that the post-doc is supposed to contribute to is primarily ‘Sustainable Plastics and Transition Pathways’ (STEPS, funded by MISTRA), Sustainable Product Chains for Plastics (SUSPLAST, funded by the Kamprad Foundation), and Biodiversity offsetting – what does it mean? Interdisciplinary insights from ecology and political science (funded by BECC), but perhaps also Realising Innovation in Transitions for Decarbonisation (REINVENT Decarbonisation, funded by EU H2020). 

Application Procedure and Content

The Lund University job application portal should be used when applying. Your application must contain: 

• A cover letter (describing why you are interested in the position and what makes you suitable for it).
• A CV (which includes information on degrees, completed courses, work experience, and publications),
• A copy of your D. diploma (or a document describing when you will finish your Ph.D.),
• Two article-length writing samples (approximately 10000 words)
• Two letters of recommendation.