PhD student in Sustainability Science

Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) is a research centre on resilience and sustainability science at Stockholm University. The Centre advances the scientific understanding of the complex, dynamic interactions of people and nature in the Biosphere; train the next generation of sustainability researchers and leaders; and engage in collaborations with change agents. It is a joint initiative between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The SRC currently employs around 160 members of staff. More information about us, please visit: Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC).

The SRC aims to foster new generations of researchers and academic leaders through our Resilience Research School. The school equips students with a theoretical and practical foundation in Sustainability Science with a focus on resilience in social-ecological systems. Students are encouraged to develop new approaches that integrate methods and concepts from the social, natural and applied sciences. Emphasis is placed on developing student ability to define a problem, develop research methods, and communicate research findings within international scientific and science-policy discussions.

Project description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed PhD student to be part of PLATE – Research Center for Resilient Meals. The vision of PLATE is a strengthened food service sector that plays a crucial role in creating a resilient, sustainable and competitive Swedish food system that ensures well-being for all.

As a PhD student you will explore the role of gastronomy in a transformation of the food system towards increased preparedness, sustainability and competitiveness. Gastronomy deals with the culture of food and meals, and can encompass a range of topics. Examples includes the impact of the quality of produce on the experience of meals, how meals are presented and experienced in different contexts, and the role of meals and dining in conversations and diplomacy. In other parts of PLATE we will develop the understanding of what sustainable and resilient meals are (what type of produce are included, from where are they sourced, and what is the environmental impact of meals). In this project we want to understand gastronomy as a possible driver for these meals to be more attractive and useful in sustainability and for preparedness building.

The exact topic will be developed together with the PhD-student, but the project may include studies such as sensory and culinary experiences of sustainable and resilient meals, and/or how gastronomy and meals can function as an arena for crisis preparedness and diplomacy.

In collaboration with private and public actors in the catering sector, the project will develop, test and evaluate various measures that could be implemented by the catering sector. The focus is on the Swedish food service sector, but comparative studies may be included.

The Stockholm Resilience Center at Stockholm University hosts the center, which is a collaboration among researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, KTH and the Beijer Institute at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, as well as with other partners from the private and public catering sector including municipalities, regions, authorities and civil society.

You will participate in SRC’s research school. As a doctoral student, you will be supervised by Professor Line Gordon and at least one other supervisor. You will be employed by SRC and be part of the interdisciplinary environment at SRC. Within PLATE you will have opportunities to collaborate with and other students and researchers with different research interests and perspectives.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements for admission to postgraduate studies in Sustainability Science are that the applicant has a total of at least 30 credits, or equivalent, at advanced level in Natural Science, as well as a thesis of at least 30 credits at advanced level in a relevant subject, or equivalent knowledge.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• Subject knowledge relevant to the research task, such as sustainability/environmental science, meal ecology, ethnography, gastronomy, sensory analyses, or other interdisciplinary subjects.
• Knowledge about the food system
• Familiarity with and experience in either applying quantitative research methods, such as statistical analysis and experimental design, or qualitative methods relevant for the research.
• Analytical skills demonstrated through, for example, scientific reports, research articles, or thesis work.
• Fluent in English, with strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience from working in teams, preferably in an inter- or transdisciplinary environments.
• Personal references of the applicant.

In addition, any of the following would be desirable:

• Knowledge of the Swedish food system.
• Knowledge about food system preparedness.
• Proficiency in the Swedish language.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, about the PhD programme or Sustainability Science at Stockholm Resilience Centre, please contact the Director of PhD programme Victor Galaz, phone: +46 8 674 70 83, victor.galaz@su.se or Head of Subject, Professor Örjan Bodin, phone: +46 8 674 76 71, orjan.bodin@su.se.

For more information about the project or the position, please contact Line Gordon, line.gordon@su.se, phone +46 737 078 529.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.