Postdoc in Sustainability Science (PA2022/4160)

We invite applications for a creative, energetic and collaborative researcher to be based for three years at LUCSUS,  Lund university, Sweden. The successful candidates will work within the department’s 5-year research project entitled  NATURICE- Exploring plural values of human-nature relationships in glacierized environments. The project is funded by Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS) and will deliver high quality research along with relevant policy recommendations.The project responds to FORMAS’ call for integrated knowledge of climate change,ecosystems andsociety, and addresses the need for in-depth study of the human-nature relationship by crossing boundariesbetween different research fields ecosystem services and valuation, political ecology and glaciology.

Around the world, glaciers have been retreating at unprecedented rates. Glaciers affect people and societal relations worldwide on many levels, whether by influencing mountain ecosystems, providing water for drinking and agriculture, generating hydroelectric energy, determining safety for downstream communities, or driving tourism economies and other types of livelihoods. This project’s main purpose is to assess and examine how values and human-nature relationships are affected by these challenges through a trans-regional study of glacierized environments in Scandinavia and the Himalayas. For more information, check this link: https://www.lucsus.lu.se/research/research-themes/biodiversity-and-natural-resource-management

The position is within the interdisciplinary environment of LUCSUS, the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (https://www.lucsus.lu.se/). LUCSUS includes about 50 staff (faculty, postdocs, and PhD students), who study a range of issues from global environmental governance to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. LUCSUS also runs an international master’s programme in sustainability science (LUMES, http://www.lumes.lu.se/),  with about 50 students each year from 20+ countries.

The position will be supervised by Principal Investigator Dr. Mine Islar, Director of PhD School at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS). She is a political ecologist and an expert in plural valuation of nature. This project includes collaboration with Dr. Anna Sinisalo (GRID-Arendal) and Prof. Erik Gomez-Baggethun (The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research-NINA)

Position Instructions

Research Focus (80% time)

The main research tasks for the position will be linked closely to the broader project objectives (specified above). The successful candidate will carry out independent and interdisciplinary research that involves desk- based and empirical methods as well as coordinating different work packages of the research project. The candidate will join team members and PhD candidates with case-study research in multiple study sites in glacierized environments.

Administrative and Service Focus- (20% time)

The main administrative tasks for the position relate to project coordination and reporting, including contributing to reports to funders, outreach materials for stakeholders as well as science communication and regular website and social media updates of project progress.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to co-supervise MSc and PhD student theses and teaching, especially those working on the nexus of biodiversity and climate change.

The ideal candidate for the position will have the following specific qualifications:

• A PhD degree in interdisciplinary applied studies such as sustainability science, geography, human ecology, ecological economics, political ecology or a related field.
• Demonstrated research record, including record of successful collaboration and co-operation with others, particularly interdisciplinary collaboration in mountain research environments.
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary research across natural and social sciences, for instance combining climate change studies with political ecology, or similar.
• Demonstrated academic writing skills, including leading the development of well-argued and clearly written scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary, inclusive and international research environment. Enthusiasm to contribute to teaching at LUCSUS and to work with master students.
• Experience of fieldwork, awareness of research ethics, and experience working with stakeholders and teams in research. Please address these skills directly in your research proposal.

Desired qualifications

In addition, the following qualification strengthen a candidate’s profile:

• Experience with research methods relevant to the project (e.g., quantitative methods, qualitative interviews, household surveys, participatory methods and workshops)
• Familiarity with theories and concepts relevant to the project (e.g. livelihoods framework, Nature’s contributions to people, plural valuation methods, intersectionality)
• Management experience of research teams (e.g., supervision of students or research assistants).
• Experience in popular science writing and communication (blog posts, social media).

The Postdoctoral researcher is a 3 year position.

Application instructions

The application should include a cogent research plan to demonstrate an understanding of the research focus in the context of the project. The successful application will demonstrate feasibility by asking a clear and focused research question and contain a research design of sufficient detail to answer the question. (The actual research carried out over the course of the postdoc may change from the proposed plan.)

A complete application consists of:

• Cover page: Short motivation of the applicant and connection with the position, including how thisposition serves future career goals. Include name and contact information of applicant (1 page max)
• CV: Academic and professional background, detailing relevant experience, particularly research and public communication.
• List of publications (separate peer-reviewed, technical reports, and popular science or outreach).
• Research Proposal: Project title (max. 20 words), project abstract (max. 200 words), main research proposal text (max.1200 words) including research question(s) or hypotheses, in the context of their relevance to NATURICE’s goals, research plan, including methods and feasibility, expected outcomes and significance, and any expected results. Applications must be submitted in Times New Roman (12 pt), 1.5 line spacing, and margins 2.5 cm.

Please include names and contact information for three academic or professional references who can speak to your professional and teamwork abilities. At least one should be a former or current research supervisor.