PhD student 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 doctoral 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 doctoral student's main responsibilities are to conduct doctoral studies within the research school "Energy, Environment and Systems" and in their specific research area, innovation and transformation studies. This includes two main components: doctoral courses and independent research under supervision. The latter encompasses literature studies, research design and planning, empirical studies, and the dissemination of results in writing and orally at seminars and conferences. For this position, communication and collaboration with people at the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova, and other stakeholders will also be an integral part of the work. The exact orientation and content of the studies will be determined in collaboration with the examiner and supervisor. The doctoral student is expected to contribute to writing 4-6 scientific articles based on the research results, which will be included in the doctoral thesis.

The position also includes teaching at undergraduate or master's level or performing other departmental tasks corresponding to a maximum of 20 percent of the working hours.

To read more about the research school: https://www.chalmers.se/en/research/our-research/doctoral-education/research-schools/energy-environment-and-systems/

To read more about innovation and transformation studies: https://transitionsnetwork.org/resources/research-agenda/

Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here .

Qualifications
The general qualifications include an advanced level university degree comprising at least four years of studies (240 ECTS credits), of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at the advanced level, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area. We are primarily looking for someone with an educational profile focusing either on innovation and transformation studies (or another area focusing on the interaction between technology, industry, and societal development) or on technology and innovation policy (or public administration in a broader sense). This may include previous studies in the history of technology, political science, industrial engineering, industrial ecology, economics, or business administration. A specific requirement is that the applicant has completed an independent work at the advanced level corresponding to at least 30 ECTS credits.

Additional educational qualifications

• An educational profile focusing on the interaction between technology and societal development or a profile aimed at politics and governance of public administration.

Mandatory experiences and skills:

• Skills in social science research methods, preferably both qualitative and quantitative
• Skills in academic writing in English (documented e.g., through the independent work)

Additional experiences and skills:

• Documented knowledge of theoretical frameworks for analyzing innovation and transformation processes and how policy instruments affect such processes
• Documented experience in designing, implementing, and/or evaluating policy, especially technology and innovation policy
• Experience in project management
• Ability to understand Swedish or another Nordic language in speech and writing (to enable document studies, interviews, and communication with stakeholders)

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five 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 reference number 20240160 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: CV, Family name, reference number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• 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 experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

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: 2024-04-07

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=12740&rmlang=UK