Open PhD position in Sustainable Transitions

The PhD program Society, Space and Technology, Roskilde University

The Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University invites applications for an open position with focus on sustainable transitions under the PhD program in Society Space and Technology from August 1, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as PhD is limited to a period of 3 years.

The programme is based on a multidisciplinary approach to research and spans social sciences and the humanities, natural science and technology, with a predominant emphasis on the social sciences. The programme’s interdisciplinary profile links together various disciplinary aspects of the research, for example in relation to technology, resources and culture, as the basis for the social production and reproduction of various research objects. The research environment focuses on the relation between societal change, natural resources, and spatial environment. This particularly concerns how such relations are planned and regulated and how the public, citizens and organizations participate in these changes. Research themes include sustainable transitions, everyday life, mobility, renewable energy, circular economy, urban development and politics, food and agriculture, citizen participation and empowerment, planning, organisation and regulation.

The PhD program is mainly connected to Roskilde University’s master degree programmes Sustainable Transitions and By og Plan (Urban Planning) and associated with the following two research groups:

• TRANSITIONS research group that aims at generating transdisciplinary knowledge about sustainable transitions with a focus on the interactions between societal and technological development. The ambition of the group is to increase the understanding of how environmental regulation, planning and governance can facilitate sustainability transitions in key societal sectors and domains. The research in particular concerns sustainable energy systems, agrifood and biosystems, and circular economy.
• MOSPUS research group working with developing theoretically informed and critical research on the themes of space, place, mobility and urban studies. The group brings together researchers from a variety of disciplines that include geography, sociology, anthropology, planning and architecture. The work is guided by a strong commitment to social justice and to making more sustainable and democratic futures.

The PhD programme is open for applications with a focus on sustainable transitions within the above fields. The programme would in particular welcome cutting-edge applications with a clear ambition for making new research insights, theoretical and methodological contributions to the field of sustainable transitions (including its ecological, social or economic dimensions).

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position, and the main tasks are in accordance with Chapter 3 in the Ministerial Order on the PhD Program at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws- and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf).

These tasks include writing a thesis, taking PhD courses, teaching in the department, and having a research stay at another (normally foreign) university or other institution.

Proposal
The proposal should be at 5-7 normal pages (2,400 characters), including references. The proposal must outline the project’s:

• Scientific purpose, relevance and novelty
• Research question(s)
• Theoretical and methodological grounding and contribution
• Envisioned methods and empirical work
• Project plan (GANT-chart)
• Educational skills and any further professional qualifications.
• Grades and completion time at Master’s program or equivalent. Candidates must have been awarded an very good grade for their master thesis and throughout their master program.
• Quality and relevance of the project proposal, including potential for cutting edge contributions to the science of sustainability
• Quality and relevance of the theoretical and methodical choices.
• Consistency and coherence between the problem and methodological and theoretical choices.
• If the PhD project seems realistic and feasible.
• Ability to complete the PhD project.
• Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School.

Required Qualifications
Candidates must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within environmental planning, urban planning, sociology or geography.

Assessment
In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to:

• Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.

In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will be given to the following criteria:

Questions
You will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Society, Space and Technology program in the Doctoral School of People and Technology. Read more here [https://ruc.dk/en/phd-programme-society-space-and-technology].

For further information about the position, please contact the head of the SST PhD program Jonas Egmose (+45 46743341 or mail [email protected]), or PhD coordinator Anne Ebdrup ([email protected]).

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the dean Bjarke Oxlund.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

4. Your description of the PhD project

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

Please submit your application no later than May 1, 2024.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Department: Universitetsvej 1, Roskilde

Location: Roskilde Universitet

Application deadline: 01 May 2024