PhD student in Environmental Science, Department of Thematic Studies

Om tjänsten

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We are looking for a PhD student in Environmental Science to conduct qualitative, social science research on sustainable transitions in Swedish agriculture. The research focuses on how different stakeholders understand and communicate about sustainable financing, and how they collaboratively develop solutions in this area.

Your work assignments

Would you like to contribute to developing the financing solutions of the future for sustainable transformations in the agricultural sector? We are looking for a PhD student interested in working with interactive, co-creative and dialogical methods to strengthen the validity of sustainability communication.

As a PhD student, you will join a skilled, open and welcoming research group at Linköping University. Our researchers come from a range of backgrounds-including the social sciences, natural sciences and engineering-and we value diversity in experiences and perspectives. Together, we develop and apply innovative methods for environmental research, often in collaboration with other universities and a range of societal stakeholders.

The VERIFARM project, funded by Formas, is an interdisciplinary research project addressing the financing of and investment in the agricultural sector's sustainable transformations. The project brings together expertise from the social and natural sciences within the broad field of environmental science, combined with industry knowledge from the banking sector and farmers' professional expertise.

Your work will include investigating how different stakeholders understand, value and use information about the climate and biodiversity impacts of agriculture in relation to financing and investment. You will plan and conduct empirical studies, for example through interviews, focus groups, workshops and other dialogical and participatory methods. You will also carry out analysis as part of a larger interdisciplinary project team, in collaboration with farmers and representatives from the banking sector. The work will involve both collaborative and independent research.

The specific focus of your doctoral research will be developed within the overarching research questions of the project and in dialogue with the project team. The research questions, empirical material and methodological choices of your thesis will also be partly shaped by the knowledge, expertise and experience that you, as a PhD student, bring to the project. Depending on your background, your research may, for example, focus on sustainability reporting and ESG, financing and investment decisions, dialogue and collaboration between different stakeholders, or how environmental and sustainability information is generated, communicated and used in practice. Across these areas, the common focus is on how knowledge and dialogue can contribute to effective financing solutions for the agricultural sector's climate transition and the promotion of biodiversity.

You will write scientific articles, present results at conferences, and participate in research education. As a PhD student you work on your thesis in the associated research project. Additional assignments such as teaching or other department tasks may be included up to a maximum of 20% of full time.

Your qualifications

You have completed a degree at an advanced level, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at the advanced level, or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge. You meet the specific entry requirements if you demonstrate knowledge equivalent to 90 higher education credits (ECTS) in a subject of central importance to the field of Environmental Science. Relevant educational backgrounds for the advertised position include environmental science, environmental communication, business administration, or equivalent.

We are looking for someone who is motivated, curious and able to take responsibility for their own work, while also enjoying collaboration. Good command of both Swedish and English, both spoken and written, is required. As the position involves fieldwork, a valid category B driving licence is an advantage.

The following documented qualifications are required:

• Experience in data collection and analysis using qualitative research methods
• Knowledge of climate or sustainability transitions
• Strong scientific writing skills

The following documented qualifications are considered particularly advantageous:

• Experience with dialogical, co-creative and/or participatory methods, particularly focus groups or workshops, involving multiple types of stakeholders
• Knowledge of climate and/or sustainability transitions in agriculture
• Knowledge of biodiversity
• Knowledge of and/or experience with sustainability reporting, ESG, CSRD, corporate responsibility, or sustainability regulations
• Knowledge of financing, investment and the banking sector
• Experience of collaboration between academia and societal stakeholders
• Strong ability to communicate with people in international environments

Selection will be based on independent study projects or reports, certificates of professional experience, academic grades and interviews. In addition, the applicant should submit a preliminary outline of a potential doctoral research project within the framework described above (maximum 1 page). This outline will also form part of the basis for assessment, and applicants who are invited to an interview will be given the opportunity to further develop it.

Your workplace

Environmental Change carries out research and education on the interaction between environmental and society in an analytically innovative way. The Division offer PhD, Master and Bachelor studies specialising in environmental science, as well as stand-alone courses and teacher-training courses in environment science, thematic natural science and geography.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of normally four years' full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan.

Start date is January 2027/as soon as possible, based on agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.The starting salary for our PhD students is currently SEK 33,700 per month (according to salary progression determined October 1st, 2026).

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the "Apply" button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than November 2d, 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as vendors of job advertisements.

Contact persons

Sepehr Shakeri Yekta

Head of division

+46 13 28 22 94

sepehr.shakeri.yekta@liu.se

Kajsa-Stina Benulic

Associate Professor

+46 13 28 10 42

kajsa-stina.benulic@liu.se

Carin Ennergård

Senior Coordinator (HR and post graduate education)

+46 13 28 21 14

carin.ennergard@liu.se

URL to this page
https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I011/853/main?site=7&validator=d7a66c13be778ef950c393a904293789&lang=UK&rmpage=job&rmjob=30041&rmlang=UK

Extra information

Status

Öppen

Önskad utbildningsnivå

Annan

Ort

Linköping

Typ av kontrakt

Heltidsjobb (förstajobb)

Körkort önskas

Nej

Tillgång till bil önskas

Nej

Personligt brev krävs

Nej