Postdoc position in Mission-driven Innovation Policy

In this project, you will play a central role in the development and evaluation of future policy instruments and contribute valuable research that can shape the global industrial transition towards zero emissions. You will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and international team of leading experts, providing you with unique perspectives and experiences sought after in academia, politics, and industry alike. Your research will have the potential to influence real policy decisions, thereby contributing to a more sustainable world. If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be at the forefront of policy development to achieve ambitious societal goals, this project is the next step in your career.

Job description
The position is linked to a research project aimed at exploring and analyzing the effects of the new mission-driven policy instruments being implemented in more and more countries to address climate change and other sustainability challenges. With a clear focus on industrial transformation, the project examines how such policy instruments affect conditions for innovation and the industry's ability to transform. The project includes studies both in Sweden and internationally.

By analyzing goal conflicts, priorities, and the emergence of industrial networks, the project aims to highlight complex interactions between different policy instruments and their long-term effects.

The project will generate insights into how mission-driven innovation policy can stimulate transformation to achieve specific societal goals, especially in relation to climate change. The research departs from social science and adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining various theories and methods within the social sciences. The work is expected to result in concrete analysis methods and policy recommendations that are directly applicable to decision-makers and industrial stakeholders.

In the project, you will work on designing studies, analyzing data, and communicating the results to other researchers and policy practitioners through both scientific and popular science articles, presentations, and meetings with policy practitioners, as well as participating in international conferences. The project builds on previous research and ongoing collaborations, providing a strong foundation for contributing to policy development and training the next generation of researchers and decision-makers. Starting in the first half of 2024, this project will be an important building block in the pursuit of a more sustainable industry and a long-term sustainable society.

Information about the division and the department
The position is located at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis at the Department of Technology Management and Economics . At the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, we research innovation and the transformation of various technical and social systems to address environmental problems and resource limitations faced by society. This is done using a systems approach that includes not only technology but also actors (organizations, groups, and individuals) and natural systems in our analyses. The division's work requires interdisciplinary efforts, which is reflected in our team's composition spanning humanities, engineering, natural, and social sciences. We are united by applying systems-based approaches.

Major responsibilities
The main responsibility involves designing, planning, and conducting research studies in collaboration with other senior researchers at the division and internationally. For this position, communication and collaboration with individuals at the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova, and other agencies will also be an integral part of the work.

The exact direction and content of the studies will be determined in consultation with the project leader and the rest of the team. The work is expected to result in 4-6 scientific articles, based on the results of the research. The position includes training policy practitioners in a course run by the department, as well as occasional elements in the department's undergraduate courses (totaling no more than 20 percent of the working hours).

Qualifications
The general qualifications include a Ph.D. in a relevant subject area, including (but not limited to) innovation and transition studies and political science (especially public administration/policy analysis). The candidate should have published in academic journals of recognized and high quality and have documented expertise at the intersection of technology, economy, and politics.

Additional educational qualifications

- A research profile focusing on innovation and transition studies (or another area focusing on the interplay between technology and social development) alternatively technology and innovation policy or public administration in a broader sense.

Mandatory experiences and skills:

- Skills in social science research methods, preferably both qualitative and quantitative

- Documented knowledge of theoretical frameworks for analyzing innovation and transition processes and how policy instruments affect such processes

- Skills in academic writing

- Ability to understand Swedish, or other Nordic languages, in speech and writing (to enable document studies, interviews, and communication with stakeholders)

Additional experiences and skills:

- Documented experience in designing, implementing, and/or evaluating policy, especially technology and innovation policy.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Exceptions from the 3-year limit can be made for longer periods resulting from parental leave, sick leave or military service*.

* The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree.

Contract terms
A Post-doc position is a fixed-term employment and limited to three years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with 20240161 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV:(Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 2024-04-08

For questions, please contact:
Hans Hellsmark,
[email protected]

Anna Bergek,
[email protected]

Johnn Andersson,
[email protected]

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!

URL to this page
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12741&rmlang=UK