Ph.D. studentship in forest economics

The Department of Forest Economics is engaged in research and education in circular bioeconomy with focus on business administration, natural resource economics, economics, and policy, with a particular focus on the sustainable development of forest-related natural resources. The Department contributes to education at the Faculty of Forest Sciences, and is responsible for Bachelor and Master degree programs, as well as offering Ph.D. education in business administration and economics. The Department is located at two campuses: Ultuna and Umeå. The Department has strong domestic and international research connections: we hold the editorial office of the Journal of Forest Economics ; we are a key partner in the joint SLU/Umeå University - Centre for Environmental and Resource Economics ; we host the head office of European Forest Institute’s Forest Bioeconomy Network , among many others.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

We are searching for a doctoral student to join the Department of Forest Economics at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Umeå. The student will work on the project “Climate off-farm rippled impacts on wellbeing and behavioral resilience: cocoa value-added chains in West Africa’ funded by the Swedish Research Council. Candidates are encouraged to review research by Francisco X. Aguilar, Professor, Department of Forest Economics, available here and on Google Scholar before applying.

Farm-level climate change impacts ripple off-farm to affect non-farming individuals whose wellbeing depends on harvests. This research will apply mixed quantitative and qualitative methods in Ghana, Liberia and Ivory Coast to: (1) assess off-farm climate impacts on individuals along local cocoa value-added chains; (2) identify behavioral adaptations to buffer the impacts of climate impacts by actors along value chains; (3) determine socially-acceptable interventions that can enhance off-farm climate resiliency.

The profile of the student is of a person fully committed to development research with foundational training in research methods and background appreciation of farming dynamics in developing countries. The candidate will be responsible for: integrating economics and natural resource management knowledge into relevant research designs; developing research questions; applying appropriate econometric and qualitative analytical tools; writing scientific manuscripts and compile a Ph.D. thesis suitable for examination. The Ph.D. program consists of 4-year full-time studies with the position contracted based on annual evaluations. Coursework is included in the Ph.D. program.

To be eligible, the candidate should hold at least a Master’s degree in economics or related field (e.g. agricultural economics, development economics, natural resource economics, forest economics), or a strong quantitative interdisciplinary program.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Demonstrated capacity to integrate forestry and economics concepts, experience writing scientific manuscripts, and advanced documented knowledge in the use of R, SAS, Stata or other analytical software are considered extra merit. Working knowledge of French is preferable but not mandatory.

Umeå, Sweden

Employment up to 4 years as Ph.D. student, with yearly evaluations.

As soon as possible, negotiable, upon agreement.  

We welcome applications until February 29 2024 using the button below.

Individuals have basic eligibility for third cycle education if they have taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Applicants must submit:

• a CV
• a two-page proposed research statement
• copies of degrees and transcripts of all academic records
• one copy of the MS thesis
• at least two referees familiar with the applicant's qualifications
• certified knowledge of the English language
• if relevant, copies of relevant publications

Final selection will be conducted after an interview. By the time of the interview, shortlisted applicants shall provide certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts. If the applicant is a foreign citizen, SLU requires a certified copy of the passport page disclosing personal data and photograph.

Details about Ph.D. education at SLU are available at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Contact person

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