Karlstad University / Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences

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

Background
The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology invites applications for a doctoral studentship in environmental and energy systems at the Department of  Engineering and Chemical Sciences. The doctoral student will belong to a research group specialising in how packaging can contribute to sustainable development. Focus is on how food  waste can be reduced in retail and consumption, and also how packaging design can contribute to efficient recycling. Since the food chain accounts for one third of global climate impact and has s great impact also on a number of other environment issues, reduced food waste will contribute to several of the Agenda 2030 goals. The research group works with environmental systems analysis and different methods to analyse how packaging design influence consumer behaviour. The group leads a network of researchers from Europe, the USA and Australia, which offers many opportunities for international cooperation. More information on: https://www.kau.se/forpackningar-hallbar-utveckling.

Duties
The main duties involve studying how different packaging properties contribute to reducing impacts on the environment. This may concern how packaging should be designed  for consumer sorting and disposal, how to recover materials, and how packaging properties impact on food waste with a focus on how packaging interacts with human behaviour. In consultation with the supervisor, the doctoral student may choose research issues that are suitable to his/her interest and qualifications.  This is an interdisciplinary environment with researchers from business studies, behavioural sciences, technology and natural science. Karlstad University is the place of work but if the supervisor permits, some tasks may be carried out from a distance. 

A doctoral student is mainly expected to engage in doctoral studies. The doctoral programme consists of 240 higher education credits, including the doctoral thesis. Departmental duties, such as teaching, or other tasks, may be allocated up till 20% of full-time.

Eligibility
For admission to doctoral studies applicants must meet the requirements of both general and special eligibility (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7 sect. 35).

Applicants who have a Master's degree of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 credits at Master level, or who have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad, meet the general eligibility requirements.

Special eligibility for admission to doctoral studies in Environmental and Energy Systems requires applicants to have a Master’s degree in environmental and energy systems, environmental engineering, industrial ecology, or other areas relevant to the project, or equivalent qualifications earned abroad or in gained in other ways.

Admission and assessment criteria
For admission to doctoral studies an applicant must be judged to have the ability required to pursue the programme successfully (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7, sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Assessment is primarily based on knowledge and experience of environmental systems analysis, for example life cycle analysis. Experience of packaging and the food industry is valuable, as is knowledge of design and behavioural sciences.

Good command of English in speech and writing is a requirement. Weight is given to personal qualities such as ability to cooperate, analytical skills, to take responsibility, to commit to activities, and to have a positive attitude to colleagues and students. The final ranking of candidates is based on an overall assessment of the relevance of the candidates’ academic qualifications to the project , work experience of relevance to doctoral studies, and personal qualities shown in the interview. 

Terms of employment
Upon admission to doctoral studies, a studentship position will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 5, sect.3). The position is a full-time, fixed-term employment (one year that can be extended by two years at the most at a time) with starting-date by agreement.

Further 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. Application should include well documented qualifications. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement before deadline and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. Give two references, of which at least one is a former or present supervisor, or equivalent.

Application should include
- Letter of application with description of your background and your interest in the position,
- List of qualifications (CV),
- Degree certificate with transcripts of courses completed, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates,
- Copy of a Master thesis (one or two years) or equivalent,
- Copies of publications or certificate of other qualifications, if applicable,
- Verification of language skills,
- Letter of recommendation, if possible.

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

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to:
Karlstads universitet
Fakulteten för hälsa, natur och teknikvetenskap
Åsa Ivansson
651 88 KARLSTAD
SWEDEN

Last day of application: 6 January 2020

State the ref. no: REK 2019/165.

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.  

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary According to local agreeement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2019/165
Contact
  • Helén Williams, docent, helen.williams@kau.se,, +46 (0)54 700 18 50
Union representative
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, +46 (0)54 700 1434
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, +46 (0)54 700 1714
Published 19.Nov.2019
Last application date 06.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

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