PhD Student in Business Studies (Sustainable Development), Campus Gotland Research School - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Uppsala University is establishing a new graduate school in sustainable development. The main mission of the graduate school is to conduct research based on key social challenges, where local relevance meets international excellence. The research will include changed energy systems, sustainable consumption and destinations development, and will address significant issues such as conservation and change, as well as the definition and management of resources. The graduate school is rooted in ongoing interdisciplinary collaborations in research and education, conducted in an international environment. Uppsala University Campus Gotland, where the graduate school is located, is a hub for the University's research and education in sustainability. We work with international partners, visiting researchers and local players with a special focus on knowledge development to cope with the changes needed to live well during climate change. As a PhD student, you will be part of this interdisciplinary research environment. You will also benefit from the courses, seminars and first-class doctoral supervision offered at the graduate school.

The PhD employment has its organisational location at Department of Business Studies at Campus Gotland in Visby.

Department of Business Studies conducts education at undergraduate, graduate and post graduate level in two locations, in Uppsala and in Visby. The department strives for a broad and open scientific profile. For more information, see the department's website.

Project description: The Department of Business Studies and the Department of Informatics and Media will jointly run two doctoral projects within the framework of the postgraduate school. A common starting point for the doctoral projects is that there is a great need to study how we, with the support of digital systems, can help consumers make more sustainable decisions regarding the consumption of groceries.

The PhD student at Department of Business Studies will, from a marketing perspective, focus on studies of consumer decision-making.

There is a need to study how digital systems can help consumers make sustainable decisions regarding the consumption of groceries. Retailers have used consumer's actual choices and attitude measurements to predict consumers´ behavior in different purchase situations and based on this change the store environment. In this PhD project, the consumer's information processing will be in focus both in planning food purchases and in buying opportunities in stores and online. In particular, the aim is to examine how digital system designed for the consumer's use can help the consumer to be more sustainable in their purchase decisions. For example, for help and guidance in order to facilitate more sustainable product choices or just as meal inspiration for weekly planning, or in stores where different sustainability information is presented to the consumer. In this way, the project will develop knowledge about what influences consumers' food purchase decision-making of food and how digital systems can contribute to purchase decision-making that contributes to more sustainable development.

General information:

Duties: The duties of a PhD student are primarily directed at his/her own research education, (4 years full-time), 90 academic credits of courses and 150 credits research for the doctoral thesis. The work may also involve, to a limited extent (maximum 20 %) other departmental duties, mainly related to teaching undergraduate courses – in which case the position may be extended to maximum five years. General rules about PhD education can be found (in Swedish) in Högskoleförordningen Chapter 5, 1-7 §§, in Uppsala University rules and in the General Study Plan for the Doctoral Programme in Business Studies, Uppsala University.

Requirements: General entry requirement: an advanced level qualification, has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits awarded at the advanced level, or has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way. The specific entry requirement: courses in Business Studies comprising 90 credits.

In order to get a PhD position, the candidate needs to be admitted to the doctoral programme, and for this, his/her potential ability to pursue the programme is decisive.

Requirements - Language requirement: All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90. IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5. Cambridge: CAE, CPE

More information about English language requirements

Additional qualifications: Knowledge in Swedish is an advantage.

Criteria for assessment of applications: The selection of applicants is based on the following

• In addition to the applicant fulfilling the eligibility requirements, theses or other written work in Swedish or English is assessed.
• The applicant's ability to benefit from postgraduate studies in business studies according to criteria of methodological rigor, theoretical awareness, critical thinking, independence and originality as well as communication skills.

Application must include:

1. CV
2. Certified graduation diploma and transcripts of academic records, and other relevant documents that prove general and specific eligibility.
3. Research proposal in either English or Swedish (max. 12,000 characters including spaces). The research proposal should address the main research questions and the relevance of the project, relate the project to relevant previous research in the field, and present issues regarding data and methodology.
4. Motivation letter.
5. Master Thesis and books, articles, scripts, etcetera invoked.
6. TOEFL/IELTS-test (or equivalent). Note that applicants with a Master’s degree from an English-speaking university or programme do not need to prove their English skills by submitting a TOEFL/IELTS-test.
7. Two letters of reference/recommendation (for example, from university teachers or employers). The letters have to include the contact information to the referees (e-mail address and phone number).The recommendation should state in what way the referent has known the applicant. We are particularly interested in an assessment of the applicant in terms of our admissions criteria.  Instructions for recommendation letters.

Interview: An evaluation committee assesses the applications and provides a recommendation for which candidates should be called for interviews. Those who proceed in the selection process among those interviewed will be given a written assignment. The recruitment is planned to be completed by November 2020.

Salary: According to the local agreement for PhD students.

Starting: January 11, 2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Working hours: 100%

Information is given by associate professor Anna-Carin Nordvall, +46 (0)498 108397, anna-carin.nordvall@fek.uu.se.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than September 15, 2020, UFV-PA 2020/1121. Only complete applications with supporting documents will be reviewed.

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.

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