PhD Candidate in Social Science
University of Gothenburg
Sweden

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Employment: Fixed-term, 4 years

Location: School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Introduction

In the School of Global Studies, research in Environmental Social Science (ESS) is conducted on a host of themes related to environmental change and natural resource use in today’s unequal and globalized world. The overarching aim of ESS is to contribute to a better understanding of complex environmental problems from within the social sciences and ESS is a fast-growing interdisciplinary subject that addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time.

The School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, announces a fully faculty-funded doctoral position in Environmental Social Science on the theme “Farmers as geopolitical actors”.

This PhD project will explore the role(s) of farmers as geopolitical actors. Its overarching focus will be how farmers perceive and navigate their role in a changing geopolitical environment and coincident sustainability transformations. In many countries, Russia’s war against Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and tensions around global trade have generated calls for increasing national self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, the climate and biodiversity crises create compounding challenges for agricultural livelihoods and food systems. Farmers must navigate these multiple challenges, developing farming practices and organizing strategically in response to them. Farmers join in collective action, build political alliances, drive policy reform, and impact international negotiations. The doctoral candidate may examine how farmers manage the economic, social, and environmental aspects of the geopolitical ecology they are a part of, as well as diverging paradigms on the future of farming. Speaking to the interests, networks, and/or strengths of the candidate, we invite proposals situated in any empirical context in the Global North and/or Global South. The project may use any suitable theoretical and methodological approach, although in-depth, qualitative methods should form a key component of the research.

Assignment

The purpose of undertaking doctoral studies is to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting independent research within Environmental Social Science. This doctoral position consists of one year of coursework and culminates in the production of a thesis that makes a significant and original contribution to the research field. The knowledge and skills acquired should be applicable to postdoctoral research or other professional work. The doctoral position begins in August 2025 and lasts four years full-time equivalent. The candidate is expected to work in Gothenburg and to embark on both coursework and research during the first year. The doctoral candidate may undertake departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 percent full-time equivalent. If they do so, the duration of the appointment will be extended proportionally. The appointment covers tuition plus a salary, and the successful candidate will for the specified fixed term be an employee of the University of Gothenburg. Funding for fieldwork expenses is not included and has to be applied for separately.

Eligibility

Applicants must fulfil both general and specific entry requirements.

An applicant meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if they have obtained (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.39):

1. a degree at the second-cycle level, such as a Master’s degree;
   2. at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 must be at the second-cycle level; or
   3. largely equivalent knowledge by other means in Sweden or abroad.

An applicant meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies if they have obtained (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40) a degree at the second-cycle level in a social science or humanities discipline, including 30 higher education credits either at the first- or second-cycle level with an environmental focus and a thesis at the second-cycle level with an environmental focus.

Applicants who have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad will also be considered to meet the specific entry requirements.

Assessment

In accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, applicants will be selected based on an assessment of their ability to benefit from the study programme as well as the school’s resources for offering supervision. The applicant’s skills, experience, creativity, and excellence in research are also assessed on the basis of the following:

1. A research proposal (max 2,000 words, including reference list) that presents preliminary ideas about how the applicant envisions their PhD work to contribute to research on the theme of the call. The research proposal will be assessed based on the applicant’s ability to formulate a research problem and their familiarity with and handling of methodological and theoretical issues. The research proposal should suggest a research problem (including purpose, aims, and research questions) and indicate tentative ideas on theory, research design, methods, and data, as well as a provisional timeline.
2. A Master’s thesis and any academic publications or other relevant works. These will be used to assess the applicant’s ability to formulate and delimit research tasks as well as to present and analyse research results.
3. A CV that summarizes relevant work experience, language proficiency, and other skills.
4. Grades achieved in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
5. Interviews will be held with shortlisted applicants.

Decisions on the shortlist will be made in early March and final decisions in April 2025.

The Head of Department oversees all admission decisions at the third-cycle level. Their decision cannot be appealed.

For further information regarding the position

Sofie Hellberg, Associate Professor, Director of PhD Education, School of Global Studies. sofie.hellberg@globalstudies.gu.se.

Sandra Lennerholt, HR Administrator, School of Global Studies. sgshumanresources@globalstudies.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg: gu.se/english/about_the_university/job-opportunities/union-representatives

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, please set up an account through our online recruitment system. The application must include:

1) A cover letter.

2) A research proposal of not exceeding 2,000 words (including references).

3) A Master’s thesis and any relevant academic publications. Submitted texts must be written in Swedish or English. Any translated versions must be accompanied by the original text.

4) A CV. We encourage applicants to use the Europass CV format: europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv.

5) Copies of diplomas and/or academic transcripts verifying that the candidate meets the general and specific entry requirements stated above. Evidence of other relevant qualifications is also required.

6) The names of two references and their contact information. Please note: no letters of recommendation will be considered.

Successful candidates will be assigned a supervisor when they begin the programme. This means there is no need for applicants to contact potential supervisors before applying.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete. No changes or additions are allowed after the final submission date.

Doctoral studies in the School of Global Studies requires physical presence on site in Gothenburg. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit to pursue studies in Sweden, yet is unable to present a valid permit at the start of their studies, the School of global studies has the right to revoke the admission decision.

For questions regarding the handling of the application portal or technical problems, please contact: rekrytering@gu.se.

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated through a local agreement at the University.

Closing date: 17 February 2025.

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.