PhD student in Environmental Science (Specialization Social Science) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

In the subject of ecotechnology and environmental science, the interaction between man and nature is studied, with particular emphasis on the development of new systems for a long-term sustainable use of natural resources. The research within the subject is often interdisciplinary, and can include both theoretical as applied studies and aims to deepen the understanding of society's sustainability challenges at a local, regional, and global level.

The position is expected to lead to a licentiate degree within the framework of the project ALPMEMA (www.miun.se/alpmema).

ALPMEMA stands for ALPine mountain hay MEadows MAnagement. The overall aim of ALPMEMA is to identify best practices to maintain a favorable conservation status of mountain hay meadows, despite the threat of underuse, and to explain the influence of different ownership regimes as well as the location of such meadows inside and outside protected areas on these best practices.

Job description
Graduate studies including research (80–100 %) and teaching as well as administrative work (0–20 %). 

Under the supervision of the project coordinator, you will contribute to a transnational meta-analysis in 4 countries. You will work within an interdisciplinary research team in close collaboration with local stakeholders to participate in making a comparative assessment within ALPMEMA, especially but not exclusively to

1. identify, based on established knowledge in case studies, current best practices related to the maintenance of a favorable conservation status of mountain hay meadows,
2. identify innovative management tools, coalitions of actors and other new methods that are additionally suitable for the management of such meadows,
3. explain the significance of different ownership regimes and the significance of whether the areas are located within or outside formally protected areas.

Requirements and assessment
To be considered for a PhD position, the applicant must meet the entry requirements for admission to Mid Sweden University´s third-cycle programme. In order to meet the entry requirements the applicant must have a second-cycle degree, or have completed at least 240 ETCS credits of which at least 60 credits should be second-cycle courses. An additional requirement is that 90 credits in total must consist of courses in Environmental Science or an environmental focus within one or a combination of the following fields of study: Sociology, Political Science, Law or Economics. The applicant is also eligible for consideration if s/he has acquired the corresponding knowledge in some other way.

Very good Swedish and English language skills in both writing and speaking are required for the position.

Strong preference will be given to a candidate with experience from publishing in internationally peer-reviewed channels, and/or successful teaching experience, especially on MSc level and related to environmental governance.

It is furthermore seen as meritorious to have proven advanced academic knowledge in theory and/or practice about socio-economic structures in the agricultural context as well as ownership and property right systems, and/or proven advanced knowledge in theory and/or practice about nature conservation within and outside of protected areas, in particular the Natura 2000 Network of the EU.

Preferred Skills

• Training in advanced techniques of assessing and interpreting complex transdisciplinary governance structures (organizations and institutions) in the Swedish, EU and international contexts, and/or
• Training in hermeneutic qualitative interpretation techniques, and/or
• Proven ability to work self-driven as well as be able to collaborate as a member of an academic team, and/or
• Proven ability to contribute to the implementation of different stakeholder involvement tools (interview techniques, questionnaire development, workshop implementation…).

The employment process
The employment process follows the regulations of the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, and the Employment Procedures of Mid Sweden University. 

Terms of employment
The doctoral position refers to a full-time position that corresponds to two years of full-time studies and is expected to lead to a licentiate degree. The appointment may be renewed to a doctoral degree if additional funding is obtained.

A new position as a doctoral student is initially valid for a maximum of one year, and the position may then be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. Provisions concerning employment as a doctoral student are contained in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Place of employment: Östersund

Entry: The 1st May 2023 or according to agreement.

For further information
please contact Head of Department Madelen Olofsson (madelen.olofsson@miun.se) or Professor Volker Mauerhofer (volker.mauerhofer@miun.se) and visit the department at www.miun.se/ndh.

Salary: According to the Mid Sweden University salary scale for PhD students.

The application
The application should be written in English and include

1. CV (of a maximum of 2 pages, and with no photo),
2. copies of official transcripts and degree certificates,
3. a cover letter (of a maximum of 2500 words) that contains a brief presentation of yourself, your motivation and qualifications for carrying out PhD research. The letter should also contain a statement about why you would like to work on this specific project, how your qualifications make you suitable for the position (with detailed reference to the specific requirements, preferences and skills listed above), and what individual interests and priorities you would like to pursue within the project’s overall aims, provided your application would be successful as well as
4. an electronic copy of your degree thesis/theses and
5. other documents you would like to refer to.

Please feel welcome to apply through our recruitment tool no later than 2023-04-04