Associate Senior Lecturer in Risk and Environmental Studies with a specialisation in Societal Risk and Safety - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Our research in Risk and Environmental Studies is predominantly focused on how societal actors manage risks posed to humans, societal functions and the environment within the framework of sustainable development. Risk and Environmental Studies is comprised of three main areas – injury prevention, disaster risk reduction, and environmental science. We educate future strategists and administrators of environmental and safety issues. The position as associate senior lecturer is a career opportunity aimed to boost the candidate’s professional development as an independent researcher and teacher. We are looking for a motivated colleague to contribute to our research team and we look forward to your application!

Description

Apart from Risk and Environmental Studies, the Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies comprises the subjects of History, Cultural Studies, Religious Studies, Social Sciences, and Political Science. Risk and Environmental Studies offers the Bachelor’s programme Environment and Safety, and the Master’s programme (120 credits) Risk Management in Society. Risk and Environmental Studies is also one of the subject areas offered at doctoral level at Karlstad University and we currently have eleven doctoral students.

Risk and Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary subject that developed primarily from risk management, public health, and environmental sciences but includes elements from many other disciplines within social sciences, natural sciences, and medicine. The subject has a staff of approximately 30 employees and is mainly focused on society’s need to systematically manage different threats and risks posed to health, societal functions and the environment by analysing threats and studying preparatory and preventative measures.

A large part of the research within Risk and Environmental Studies is linked to two research centres: the Centre for Societal Risk Research, CSR, https://www.kau.se/en/csr, and the Centre for Research on Sustainable Societal Transformation, CRS, https://www.kau.se/en/crs. Much of the research is also conducted in close collaboration with businesses, organisations, municipalities, county administrative boards and government agencies.

We are now searching for an Associate Senior Lecturer in Risk and Environmental Studies with a specialisation in Societal Risk and Safety.

Duties

The main duties consist of research in one of the existing research areas that are covered by the broader umbrella term “societal risk and safety” within Risk and Environmental Studies, especially research in the field of public safety/injury prevention or individual vulnerability, and experience of statistical/epidemiological methods, in particular causal inference. The proposed research should aim to strengthen and further the existing research.

Duties also include teaching courses at first and/or second cycle level. For an associate senior lecturer teaching duties can amount to a maximum of 25% of working hours. Teaching is primarily concerned with Risk and Environmental Studies though depending upon the candidate’s qualifications other subjects may also be relevant. Duties may also include administrative tasks and assignments that are part of the university’s activities. You are also expected to contribute to the department’s development.

During the employment period the associate senior lecturer will be given the opportunity to further his/her skills as an independent researcher, as well as gaining additional qualifications in terms of both research and teaching expertise, in order to meet the requirements for a position as senior lecturer.

In order to contribute to a positive working environment and help further the subject’s research, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of associate senior lecturer, applicants are required to hold a PhD or equivalent scientific qualifications in Risk and Environmental Studies, Risk Management, Psychology, Public Health or other disciplines that clearly relate to the subject’s current research on societal risk and safety. The position is primarily intended for applicants who have completed their PhD no longer than five years before the application deadline, or who have acquired the corresponding competence in that time. If an applicant completed their PhD or corresponding competence more than five years ago, this requirement may be waived if there are special circumstances, for example sick leave, parental leave or similar types of leave.

Proficiency in spoken and written English is a requirement. Normally, proficiency in Swedish is also a requirement. An applicant who does not meet the requirement of proficiency in Swedish may still be hired provided they are able to actively acquire the language skills.

Pursuant to the Karlstad University Appointments Procedure, teachers must have the personal qualities required to perform the duties involved, as well as a completed course in higher education pedagogy. In special circumstances, the course in higher education pedagogy may be completed within two years of employment. For other eligibility requirements, refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure https://www.kau.se/files/2021-03/Appointment procedures for the Recruitment and Appointment of Academic Staff.pdf

Assessment criteria

Special weight will be given to applicants who can make a clear connection between their own research and the subject’s current projects or perspectives within societal risk and safety. Preference will be given to applicants with regard to the scope and quality of the applicant’s research production, as well as the ability and willingness to build an academic career with the potential of contributing to the development of both research and teaching in the subject.

In the assessment of research expertise, priority will also be given to research within the field of public safety/injury prevention or individual vulnerability, as well as experience of statistical/epidemiological methods, in particular causal inference.

Consideration will also be given to the scope of the research, current experience of community collaboration and dissemination of research and development work.

Considerable weight will be given to the documented ability and willingness to build an academic career and potential to contribute to the development of both research and teaching in the subject.

Considerable weight will also be given to personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, sound judgement, responsibility, dedication, and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.

Documented teaching expertise based on broad and up-to-date knowledge in the applicant’s own field of expertise is considered a valuable qualification. Documented teaching expertise based on current research and experience of supervising and assessing students are other valuable qualifications, as is experience of international projects and national or international networks.

Terms

The position is a temporary 4-year full-time position. Start date as agreed by both parties.

Terms for promotion to senior lecturer

Upon applying, an associate senior lecturer should be promoted to senior lecturer provided he or she is qualified for the position (Higher Education Ordinance chap. 4, sect. 4) and is deemed suitable following an assessment (Higher Education Ordinance chap. 4, sect. 4a).

The applicant must have completed a prerequisite course in higher education pedagogy.

Eligibility for permanent employment at Karlstad University usually includes proficiency in Swedish and English. A candidate who does not meet this requirement may still be hired provided they are able to actively acquire these language skills.

For other eligibility requirements, refer to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure.

Additional Information

Karlstad University places great value on the enriching presence of diverse backgrounds and gender balance in the organisation. We welcome applicants with different cultural backgrounds, gender identities, functional abilities, and life experiences.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, please refer to “Application Guidelines for the appointment/promotion of professor or senior lecturer”.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. Include two references, at least one of which should be a current or previous supervisor. The application should include:

• CV
• Cover letter
• An in-depth account of research experience
• An in-depth account of teaching experience
• Certificate to verify a completed course in higher education pedagogy or an account of equivalent skills
• An account of other experiences
• Managerial, collaborative, and administrative experience
• Plans for future work
• List of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• Information about language skills
• Copies of course transcripts, degree certificates, and other certificates
• No more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programs for teaching, or popular science articles

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
Registrator
651 88 KARLSTAD
Sweden

Application deadline: 20 March 2022

State the reference no: REK2022/22

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.