PhD fellowship - 'Rural livelihoods and agricultural transformation in Africa', University of Copenhagen

PhD fellowship - 'Rural livelihoods and agricultural transformation in Africa'

Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 
The Department of Geography and Geology of the Faculty of Science offers a PhD position on rural livelihoods and agricultural transformation in Africa. The position is open for appointment from September 30th 2012. 
Job description
Different types of structural change and rural dynamics drive rural-urban resource flows, shape diverse patterns of agricultural development and determine the opportunities for rural development, including the upgrading and intensification of agriculture and related activities. In turn, rural livelihoods are influenced by such agricultural transformation processes that may influence the degree of multi-activity and multi-locality in households´ livelihoods.
 
The PhD study should thus focus on the linkages and multiple feedbacks between structural change, agricultural transformation and rural livelihoods and specifically address how these processes affect the rural-urban mobility patterns of households. It is expected that the PhD study will be using both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to understand the complex processes driving rural livelihood and agricultural transformations. 
Place of employment and work will be the Department of Geography and Geology, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen and the PhD candidate will be attached to the research group Environment and Society in Developing Countries. 
The study will be conducted as part of an EU-funded international research project RurbanAfrica, in collaboration with partners in several European and African countries See more information on the project at: http://geo.ku.dk/english/research/research_group_/environment/research_projects/
Thus, the PhD study will include extensive fieldwork in one or more of the case countries in Africa as well as participation in project activities, e.g. workshops, PhD seminars etc. with African and European partners. 
Qualifications
The candidate is expected to have a master degree in geography or other relevant degree. We expect that the candidate will publish in international peer−reviewed journals, write a PhD thesis within the project duration of three years and assist in teaching within the Department. Highly motivated candidates with a relevant MSc degree are encouraged to apply. 
Terms of employment
The successful PhD candidate will be offered a full-time PhD position for a period of three years, contingent on a satisfactory performance, with the specific intent that it results in a PhD degree and scientific publications. It is a prerequisite for the appointment as a PhD-fellow, that the person concerned can be registered as a PhD-fellow according to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Executive Order no 18 of 14. January 2008. Information about the PhD programs at the Faculty of Science can be found at http://www.science.ku.dk/phd/
 
The salary depends on seniority, as agreed between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations within the range of 25,500-30,500 DKK/month (approximately 3,400-4,100 Euro/month). 
Further information including a detailed project description can be obtained from associate pro-fessor Jytte Agergaard, e-mail ja@geo.ku
 
General information on the Department of Geography and Geology can be found at geo.ku.dk and information on the research group on Environment and Society in Developing Countries is available at http://geo.ku.dk/english/research/research_group_/environment/
 
How to apply
Applications must include (i) a motivation for the application (0.5 A4 page), (ii) a statement of research interests, (iii) curriculum vitae including list of publications, (iv) a copy of MSc diploma, (v) a short abstract of the MSc thesis or equivalent, and (vi) the names, e-mails, telephones and addresses of 2-4 referees. 
Applications must be received no later than September 7th 2012 through the job portal of the University of Copenhagen at http://www.ku.dk/english/available_positions/vip/
 
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
Interviews are expected to be held on September 17th 2012.
 
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
 
Apply online

Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.
Deadline: 07-09-2012
Publisher: Faculty of Science