PhD student in environmental law, Uppsala university’s interdisciplinary graduate school in sustainable development - 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.

In total over 200 people work at the Faculty of Law, of which over 100 are scholars and teachers. In addition there are about 60 doctoral students. Both the research and the education at Juridicum have expanded and strengthened over the years, and today there are substantial teaching and research activities within a wide range of subjects.

As a doctoral student, you will belong to the law faculty, and at the same time be a part of the Research School in Sustainable Development. Besides working on your thesis, you will contribute to activities within the research school and the implementation of the research project described below. The research environment is characterised by a collegial environment between advisors, doctoral students, and students, and there is the possibility for you to teach within your research area. Other duties at the faculty may be included, such as teaching students, working in teaching teams, and administration (no more than 20% of the position).

Duties/Project description: The Law faculty and the Art History faculty/Department of Historic Preservation are going to host two doctoral student projects together within the framework of the new research school at Uppsala University—Campus Gotland. The common research question for the two research projects is how the legal system balances the goals of sustainable energy use and historic preservation. Concretely, it may deal with, for example, how insulation, energy efficient windows, and the installation of solar panels in culturally or historically important buildings are treated in relation to the law and to sustainability. Laws are applied and interpreted at three levels: within the court system, in administrative decisions, and in small and big decisions in planning, projection and implementation of renovations. The two doctoral students will work together at all three levels.

The doctoral student in environmental law will work together with the doctoral student in historic preservation to examine how law can contribute to achieving Swedish and international political goals for the preservation of culture and nature. Gotland will constitute one case study. To be more deeply and widely relevant, additional national or international case studies will be chosen for comparison.

It is suggested that the doctoral student write a thesis consisting of several articles and an introduction, rather than a monograph. This is because of the project's interdisciplinary character, and because it facilitates collaboration between doctoral students.

Requirements: In order to be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant is required to meet the following qualifications. To qualify as applicant with the Faculty of Law, the applicant must either

1. in Sweden, have completed a Master of Laws degree or completed a law programme, or
2. in Sweden or abroad, have acquired knowledge equivalent to the degrees mentioned in (1).

Applicants must have good level of English. Applicants must be able to read Swedish, or be able to read Swedish within two years of admission.

The following are additionally meriting:

• Demonstrated interest in environmental law or historic preservation
• Additional language skills
• Professional experience relating to environmental law or historic preservation.

Application process: The overall purpose of the doctoral studies is to provide future newly qualified doctors of laws with good prospects for a successful career within or outside of higher education. This includes in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject in the field of research, a capacity for independent and critical thinking, proficiency in scientific methods and modes of working, an ability to identify interesting and researchable issues, teaching skills and the ability to express himself or herself well both orally and in writing, an ability to operate in an international context and an ability to understand and deal with ethical issues concerning research.

Admission is based on an evaluation of the applicant's capacity to successfully complete the doctoral studies. The evaluation is primarily focused on the statement of interest/project description as well as the scientific written material (published or not published). Analytical ability, ability to structure the material and to independently work on the proposed project, and the project’s news value, is paramount. In addition to the written material, other merits, such as grades, diplomas, completed courses etc., may also be of importance in the assessment. Further, the applicant’s capacity to cooperate in different ways, e.g. with teaching colleagues, may be taken into consideration.

Your application including the below required attachments is to be electronically submitted. 

• A statement of interest in Swedish or English, including a short description of how you would approach the research question.
• CV in Swedish or English (required document)
• Grade transcripts (required document) and other certificates in Swedish or English
• Written scientific work (electronic copy of books, articles, undergraduate essays, manuscripts, etc.)  
• Letter of recommendation and/or references
• Application forms for admission to doctoral studies, and employment as a doctoral student.

Please note that those already admitted to doctoral studies must attach an updated individual study plan to the application for employment as a doctoral student.

Decisions on admissions are made by the Research Committee at the Faculty of Law upon preparation by an evaluation committee specifically set up for this purpose. As part of the admission procedure, interviews may be held with a limited number of applicants.

Decisions on employment are made by the Head of Department. A person may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but no longer than the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral research. For teaching within the employment, extension is admitted.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/?languageId=1.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: 11-01-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For more information about the research project, contact: Yaffa Epstein, yaffa.epstein@jur.uu.se, Charlotta Zetterberg, charlotta.zetterberg@jur.uu.se, or Mia Geijer, mia.geijer@gmail.com.

For other questions, contact: director of research studies Erik Svensson: research@jur.uu.se, tel: 018-471 26 01.

Please submit your application by 15 september 2020, UFV-PA 2020/1795.

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.

Moving to Gotland? You can find more information about what it is like to live in Gotland here: http://gotland.com/en/move/.