Ph.D. position at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering or Environment and Natural...

The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Interdisciplinary PhD programme in Environment and Natural Resources (with the option to be in the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences or Social Sciences) seek applicants to fill a Ph.D. student position. The project is financed by the Icelandic Research Fund for 3 years for the project Developing a Sustainable Consumption Corridor for Icelandic Society using a sectoral approach (Ice_SCC)The Ice_SCC project provides an excellent opportunity to produce a dissertation of high academic quality while working on a novel and urgent field of research as a member of an inspiring research team of high-performing academics. In addition to the dissertation, the doctoral candidate will get to produce novel scientific evidence of issues with high societal relevance. Depending on their background and interests, the successful candidate will place to the 'Environmental studies' doctoral program within the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering or to the Interdisciplinary 'Environment and natural resources' doctoral program. 

The exponential growth of socio-economic and earth system trends over the last half-decade has led us to the point where humanity is at risking of exiting a `safe' space. A `safe' space describes a space in which the Earth's systems such as climate, biodiversity, chemical flows, remain in balance such that humanity can continue to prosper and develop safe from danger climatic change or mass extinction. Further, as we increasingly move outside of this `safe' space, social injustices are occurring inter- and intra-nationally. The Doughnut Economy illustrates these dual environmental and social challenges of meeting humanity's needs whilst remaining in an environmentally safe space, with the achievement of this defined as a `safe and `just' space (SJS). 

This ambitious project takes this call and situating itself on the cutting edge of the research, aims to establish more granular sectoral perspective of a SJS, using Iceland as a case study, assessing how Icelandic society can maneuver itself into a SJS at a national level. The Ice_SCC project will assess the four primary personal consumption sectors: housing, transportation, diets, and goods and services. 

The role of the Ph.D. will be to work with the research team to assess sustainable transition actions (such as avoiding demand, shifting to cleaner alternatives, or improving existing systems) which can decrease environmental impacts, tied to planetary boundaries which define a safe space, and understand as well the social impacts of such transitions. The goal will be to tie this work together to develop a contextually relevant way to assess provisioning systems such that a country can actionably guide itself into an SJS. This work will partner with policy makers at the national level, particularly surrounding the establishment of a well-being economy with considerations to environmental, social, and economic criteria. 

The Ph.D. student should be passionate about sustainability across sectors. The student will be expected to perform high level research in collaboration with the research team, and should have the ability to:

• Develop and perform of robust systematic literature reviews
• Understand socio-economic issues at a national and urban level
• Take life cycle perspectives when assessing environmental, social, and environmental impacts
• Develop simple to more complex mathematical models (stronger modeling experience is a plus - system dynamics, LCA work, mathematical programming)
• Participate in stakeholder engagements, and work with the team to disseminate results to heighten the impact and relevancy of the results.

• MSc degree in engineering, economics, environmental sciences or environment and natural resources, policy or from another relevant field.
• Experience in quantitative modelling is a plus.
• Independence and ability to work in a team.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

The selected candidate must send a formal application for PhD studentship at the University of Iceland and the position is contingent on acceptance into the Ph.D. program.

The expected starting date is 1.6.2022, but can be negotiated.

The application shall include, written in English: i) a letter of motivation, ii) CV, iii) degree certificates and study transcripts (BS and MSc degree), iv) two reference letters and information how to reach the referees.

For more information: Please contact Dr. Kevin Joseph Dillman, [email protected] , Professor Jukka Heinonen, [email protected]  or Professor Brynhildur Davidsdottir, [email protected]

All applications will be answered and applicants will be informed about the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications are valid in the system for 6 months after the application deadline. 

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland. http://www.hi.is/haskolinn/jafnrettisaaetlun#markmid2

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy. https://www.hi.is/haskolinn/malstefna_haskola_islands

The University of Iceland is a growing community of knowledge and is a very dynamic and interesting workplace. Our values are academic freedom, professionalism and equality. The University strives to provide flexibility and encourages participation in the development of the study programs and research in all fields within the realm of the University. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs ca. 390 people involved with teaching and research. The School offers an international working environment, where currently about quarter of all employees and graduate students are international, and that number is increasing each year.. The school has around 2000 students and numerous graduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences is proud of its' diversity and reform-minded environment where knowledge acquisition and sharing is paramount.

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme in Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Iceland is organized jointly by all the five Schools of the University; Education, Engineering & Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme aims to address increasing needs for in depth understanding of environmental issues and management of natural resources in the context of sustainability and wellbeing.  

Application deadline is 31.03.2022

Kevin J Dillman

[email protected]

Jukka Taneli Heinonen

[email protected]