Doctoral student in Human Geography

Description

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is accepting applications for a doctoral studentship leading to a PhD in Human Geography at the Department of Geography, Media and Communication. The doctoral studentship has a focus on place design.

Current human geography research is characterised by questions related to tourism geography, identity, culture, mobility/migration, spatial theory, media geography, digitalisation, planning and urbanisation. Place design is a new profile at Karlstad University that provides knowledge and skills in shaping places - designing sustainable and attractive places that offer a high quality of life. The profile aligns with the new study programme in tourism and place design that started in the autumn semester of 2024. Place design focuses on how places can be developed based on a place and design perspective. In our increasingly digitalised world, there is a need for expertise in the art of place design. Place design extends beyond physical design and includes cultural, social, economic and environmental considerations - all of which contribute to the creation of sustainable and attractive places. Place design also applies digital methods such as visualisation and interactivity to make places more vibrant and attractive for both residents and visitors.

The department conducts research of high international standards and our researchers frequently publish articles in international journals, participate in international networks and conferences, as well as collaborating with the surrounding community. Several researchers and doctoral students from the discipline are involved in the multidisciplinary research group Geomedia, an internationally unique environment where studies are conducted at the intersection of geography and media. Geomedia explores the complex interactions between material, experienced and imagined spaces in an increasingly mobile and mediated world. Human geography research within Geomedia focuses on the convergence of space, flows/mobility and medialisation.

The discipline of human geography at Karlstad University is also active in the Centre for Research on Sustainable Societal Change, CRS, which includes the Graduate School on Sustainable Societal Transformation. As a doctoral student in human geography, you will participate in the activities and supportive environment of the graduate school, including courses and seminars.

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the discipline and the department. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement, but will not constitute more than 20% of full-time. Working as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you structure your day. It takes commitment, discipline and a structured approach in order to successfully complete a doctoral thesis. Experienced supervisors offer guidance and support along the way. To contribute to a positive work environment and further the department’s activities, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, applicants must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, applicants must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in Human Geography, the applicant must have completed courses in Human Geography of at least 90 credits. An applicant can also be eligible for doctoral studies in Human Geography if he or she has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Admission and assessment criteria

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Special weight will be given to your research proposal and its relevance to place design. The research plan shall describe your research idea and your intended thesis project. It shall include purpose, theory, method and plan for implementation. Proficiency in spoken and written Swedish or English is a requirement. Previous work and/or education with focus on place-making, place development, place design or equivalent are seen as valuable qualifications.

Weight is also given to personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, demonstrate sound judgement, take responsibility and show a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies, or five years at a study rate of 80% with 20% teaching (if there are teaching opportunities available) or other departmental duties. The position is fixed-term — one year initially, followed by possible extensions by a maximum of two years at a time. Start date by agreement.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, 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.

The application should include:

- a cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position,

- a list of qualifications (CV),

- degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates

- copy of master’s thesis or equivalent

- where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications

- a brief research plan (1,000–2,500 words) 

- any letters of recommendation

- two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or previous or current superior.

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 should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet

HR-administratör

651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 3 November 2024

State the reference number: REK 2024/174.

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

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.