Doctoral student in Technology and Society with focus on the Geopolitics of the circular economy

Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Dep of Technology and Society
Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 40 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

LTH forms the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, with approximately 9 000 students. The research carried out at LTH is of a high international standard and we are continuously developing our teaching methods and adapting our courses to current needs.

Subject Description

The doctoral student will be enrolled for third-cycle studies in the research subject Technology and society. The subject encompasses multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies of technology’s role, interplay and importance in different sectors of society. The research entails both qualitative and quantitative studies, and is often characterised by diverse methods and theories from the technological perspective, social science and science.

Work duties

The PhD candidate is expected to increase the knowledge of how geopolitics and circular resource flows interacts. This may include material flow analysis of resource flows and scenarios, how different regions can be affected from increased circularity, if and how access to natural resources and recycling technologies affect how strategies for enhanced circularity are designed and methodological development.

The PhD candidate will be connected to the research programme ”Mistra Geopolitics: Navigating towards a secure and sustainable future” (www.mistra-geopolitics.se). The programme is interdisciplinary with researchers from Lund University, Linköping University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), E3G (UK), and adelphi (Germany). The research programme examines the dynamics of geopolitics, security and environmental change. Researchers from Lund University have studied how sustainable development affects natural resource demand, where these resources are located geographically and how countries that possess these resources can be affected.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
• A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in technology and society if the applicant has:
• at least 30 credits awarded in the second cycle relevant to the subject area.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.

Written and oral communication skills

Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

Experience from working in research projects, especially interdisciplinary ones. Documented experience of working with quantitative methods. Documented experience of working with qualitative methods, e.g. interviews and text analysis Proficiency in Swedish, to take part in teaching duties at the department.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain An outline of a research design corresponding to the project description above (maximum 1 page), a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.