Phd position in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The PhD position is located at Campus Gotland in Visby within the research program Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRHU), Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University. Natural resources and sustainable development is a key component of the department’s research, education and outreach. At Campus Gotland, NRHU research focuses on, among other things, recreational fisheries, nature-based tourism, ecosystem services and coastal zone management. NRHU is responsible for courses in the bachelor program in Environmental Science and the master program in Sustainable Destination Development at Campus Gotland. For more information see http://www.geo.uu.se/research/natural-resources-sustainable-development/

Project description: The PhD project will focus on the thematic area “Management of recreational fisheries and fishing tourism”. Recreational fishing, i.e. all fishing that is not commercial, is an important activity both in Sweden and other countries. In Sweden, as much as 1.4 million people fish annually for recreational purposes with an expenditure of around nine billion Swedish crowns per year. Moreover, recreational fishing is an important element of the nature-based tourism sector in Sweden that supports small and medium size entrepreneurs, mostly in rural areas. Maintenance of viable fish populations and sustainable management of fisheries are necessary prerequisites for long-term provisioning of recreational activities, and economic and rural development. The challenges to fish stocks include both environmental problems and habitat loss, and increasing pressure from recreational fishing itself.

The future management and development of recreational fisheries and fishing tourism need to be based on knowledge about the status and development of fish stocks. Information on how people fish, how they can contribute to sustainable fisheries and the economic value of this fishery is equally important. Environmental management activities and restoration of fish habitats are essential in maintaining viable fish stocks. Other management tools include reporting of catches, regulations for handling the fish while applying catch and release, restrictions regarding access, catches or fishing equipment, fish stocking in areas with weak natural populations, etc. Designing future management that recreational fishermen understand, accept and comply with, thus need to account for fishermen’s knowledge about and attitudes towards different management options. Scientific knowledge on this is, however, limited both in Sweden and internationally.

The objective of the PhD project is to investigate the human dimension of recreational fisheries. The project will explore which tools and activities that are prioritised in management and fishers’ knowledge about and attitudes towards the different management options. Recreational fishers’ perspectives on the quality of fishing and the fishing destination may also be studied in the context of management and associated economic values. A number of Swedish case studies will be investigated (applying survey and interview techniques) with different categories of recreational fisheries in a variety of settings. The research results are expected to contribute to the future management of recreational fisheries and thereby securing socio-economic values and ecosystem services from coastal areas, lakes and rivers. 

Requirements: The applicant should have an MSc degree in Environmental Science/Ecology/Earth Science and an interest for interdisciplinary and applied research. Practical experiences of survey and interview methodology as well as data analyses are particular merits. Familiarity with or work experience of recreational fisheries or nature-based tourism are merits. Personal qualities such as dedication, motivation, initiative and independence are valuable. Very good spoken and written English skills are required. Swedish language skills are merits.

How to apply: The application should include a letter of intent that explains research interests, interests in the announced PhD project and what skills the applicant can contribute with to the project. The application should also include a CV, copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records, copy of master thesis, contacts to references, and tentative additional documents of relevance.

Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.

Salary: According to local agreement (Lokalt kollektivavtal för doktorander och amanuenser).

Starting date: 2019-08-01 (or as otherwise agreed), temporary position ending 2023-07-31.

Working hours: 100 % 

For further information about the position contact Professor Patrik Rönnbäck, +46(0)18-471 8375, e-mail: patrik.ronnback@geo.uu.se

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 20 May 2019, UFV-PA 2019/1406.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.