PhD positions at Lund University, Sweden

LUCID – Lund University Centre of Excellence for Integration of Social and Natural Dimensions of Sustainability

We invite applications for up to twelve PhD positions within the frame of the new interdisciplinary research programme called LUCID at Lund University. The PhD programme starts in Spring 2009.

LUCID is a Linnaeus programme sponsored by The Swedish Research Council (VR and Formas) for the period 2008-2018. LUCID is coordinated by the faculty independent Centre for Sustainability Studies at Lund University (LUCSUS). Linnaeus Grants are awarded to exceptionally strong environments performing research of the highest international quality and aiming at innovative research.

LUCID aims at creating completely new and unique synergies across natural and social sciences in order to develop new integrated theories and methods for addressing complex sustainability issues. The research is anchored in natural scientific understanding, social science theories and ethical considerations. Four global challenges are in focus: climate change, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity and land use change. Two scientific approaches: problem solving and critical research, will be combined to understand how society handles and should handle these global challenges. The research will offer theoretical, methodological and practical contributions to the broad and emerging field of sustainability science.

Qualifications

We are looking for highly motivated applicants with a Bachelor or Master degree relevant to LUCID such as: development studies; environmental studies; global studies; earth system science; sustainability studies or in one of the disciplines participating in LUCID: economic history; human ecology; philosophy or cognitive science; physical geography; political science; human geography; sociology of law; and sustainability science.

Successful candidates will be part of an interactive team and contribute to the development of a young, vigorous and interdisciplinary research environment.

Application instructions

Please apply to the LUCID PhD programme. Please send a curriculum vitae, names of three references and a three page research plan closely related to the LUCID research themes. For more information and instructions for applicants see (http://www.lucsus.lu.se/lucid ). Closing date 31 October 2008.