Karlstad University / Department of Geography, Media and Communication

Sapere Aude—dare to be wise—is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and expertise that enrich both people and the world around them. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and perseverance. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. We are located in an active and scenic region and we promote sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider society.
 
Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 19,000 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika.
 
More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Description
The position is connected to the Academy for Smart Specialisation at Karlstad University, https://www.kau.se/en/external-relations/external-relations-university/good-examples/academy-smart-specialisation, in the area of forest-based bioeconomy. The postdoctoral researcher will be based at the Centre for Regional Studies (CRS) https://www.kau.se/en/centre-regional-studies. CRS is a cross-disciplinary research centre focused on regional societal transition processes. CRS conducts research, offers a doctoral programme and communicates its research done in partnership with other research environments at Karlstad University and other national and international higher education institutions. This position is directly connected to ongoing and concluded projects at CRS in the area of forest-based bioeconomy, such as “Transition to sustainable forest bioeconomy,” the network project BioWiseTrans, Paper Province 2.0, and the Interreg project Innovation for green transition in the forest (InGO-Skog). More information on these projects: https://www.kau.se/en/crs/research/current-projects

Duties
The postdoctoral researcher will work with the project coordinator and in partnership with other researchers in related projects on forest-based bioeconomy (see the projects mentioned above). The research questions have been developed during the first phase of “Transition to sustainable forest bioeconomy” and in collaboration with other actors in the BioWiseTrans network. The aim is to contribute knowledge on smart specialisation, regional innovation systems and transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. This will be done through an international comparative study in three to four European regions, based on contacts in the above-mentioned network. The results will form the basis of policy briefs as well as scientific articles in international journals.

In addition to your own research in the specified area, you will contribute to developing relevant international contacts, writing applications for research funding and publishing in popular scientific and scientific publications. You are also expected to participate actively in the daily development work in CRS as well as in activities in adjacent projects such as the BioWiseTrans network.

Qualification requirements
Eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher are those who have obtained their doctoral degree, or achieved equivalent qualifications abroad, at the most three years prior to the end of the application period. If there are special reasons, the required qualifications may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons may include illness, parental leave, clinical duties, commissions of trust in labour unions or similar organisations, or other similarly special circumstances.

The doctoral degree should be held in disciplines such as human/economic geography, economic history, business administration, environmental science, sociology, or similar.  Research experience in one or more of the following fields is essential: regional innovation systems, smart specialisation, transition processes and sustainable development, bioeconomy and/or circular economy.

Assessment criteria
Since the project is conducted in partnership with other researchers as well as actors from regional innovation systems, special weight is given to applicants’ documented collaborative skills and ability to work independently.

Considerable weight is given to good ability to take initiative and to experience from multidisciplinary environments.

The research takes the form of an international comparative study and therefore considerable weight is given to ability to express yourself well in English, in writing and speech.

In addition, weight is given at assessment to experience of participation in international research projects and/or an international network.

Conditions
Appointment as postdoctoral researcher is usually for two years’ full-time employment, starting on 1 January 2019, or as per agreement. The position involves 100 % research duties.

A condition of employment as postdoctoral researcher is that you have not been employed as a postdoctoral researcher under a central contract for more than a year in the same or similar discipline at Karlstad University.

Appointment is contingent upon necessary funding allocation decisions.

Application
The application should include well-documented qualifications. Please provide the contact details of at least two references. Applicants are responsible ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that the university receives it before the deadline.

The application should include:

  • An application letter describing your qualifications and research interests in relation to the work duties of the position, including research plans for the two years in relation to the topic of the research project described above (2-3 pages).
  • CV
  • List of publications
  • Copies of relevant certificates, transcripts, etc.
  • Copies of your PhD thesis and other relevant publications
  • Other documents you wish to refer to
  • Information about your language skills

The application is submitted electronically via the university’s web-based recruitment system. Documents and publications should be attached to the electronic publication (do not only provide links). One copy of each document that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to:

Karlstads universitet
Registrator
651 88 Karlstad

State ref. no:REK 2018/146

Last day of application: 2018-08-31

Interviews will be conducted during the last week of September 2018.

Contact: Ida Grundel, senior lecturer in human geography

Tel: 0046 (0)54 700 2212
Email: ida.grundel@kau.se

Questions about being a postdoctoral researcher at CRS can be directed to Silke Reeploeg
Email: silke.reeplog@kau.se

We look forward to your application.

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and declines any contacts from advertising or recruitment agencies.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Salary set on individual basis monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2018/146
Contact
  • Ida Grundel, universitetslektor, 0046 (0)54 700 2212
Union representative
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, 0046 (0)54-700 1714
  • Tony Ingemarsson, OFR , 0046 (0)54-700 1404
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, 0046 (0)54-700 1434
Published 15.Jun.2018
Last application date 31.Aug.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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