PhD position in industrial engineering and management: Technology-based social innovation and ‘progress’ - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering consists of three divisions: Industrial Engineering, Quality Science and Management, and Civil Engineering and Built Environment. The department has a strong and international research environment and has approximately 80 employees with research and education both at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland. This position will be located at the division of Industrial Engineering in Uppsala. For more information, see the web of the department. 

Project description: Technology-based social innovations that enable a transition to a more sustainable society is rapidly changing the ways in which the human lives and relates to itself, others and nature. These technological advancements infuse a revised sociability and ecological sensitivity, and play a fundamental role for how ideas about progress are brought about. At the same time as technology receives intensified interdisciplinary attention, the conventional notion of ‘progress’ is consequently under critical scrutiny through post-human thinking.

This PhD position will broadly address socio-technical innovations in the 21st century, with focus on how these transform human understandings of ‘progress’. The research project can for example be geared towards questions of alternative technological paths and the materialization of futures, but should be independently crafted in relation to front-line research within industrial engineering and management, as well as other relevant areas for the project, such as future studies, post-human philosophy and technology-based entrepreneurship.

The PhD project will be part of broader research agendas on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as Sustainability and Ethics, within the Division of Industrial Management and Engineering. The successful candidate will also be part of, and topically complement, the Division’s growing PhD student community within these areas.

Duties: The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Requirements: As a candidate for this position, you should have a Master’s degree (MSc) in Industrial Management, Innovation, Business and administration, Sustainable development/ management, or an equivalent degree. 

Meritorious: You will have good knowledge in qualitative methods (e.g., interviewing, participant observation). Documented knowledge within science of technology studies, political science and/or philosophy, is meritorious, as well as a cross-disciplinary background. Understanding in, and experience of, audio-visual methods (e.g., video, sound and photography), as well as studies of public documentation, archival studies, genealogy and discourse analysis, is meritorious.

You should be ambitious, productive, and have a thorough interest in critical reflection as well as technology and business. Personal qualities, ability to work independently and at the same time be able to interact with other researchers both nationally and internationally is very important. Very good writing skills, and fluency in written and spoken English, are meritorious.

Admission requirements: A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Rules governing PhD candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines. 

Application: Applications should include a cover letter, including a brief description of experience relevant to the position and the candidate criteria stated above, a CV, copies of diplomas and certificates (important!), a draft research proposal of 1 A4 page (written in English or Swedish, showing your academic creativity and rigor), preferably a master thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. The candidates are encouraged to provide letter(s) of recommendation and should provide contact information to at least two reference persons. All applications should be submitted through the Uppsala University job portal.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: 1 September 2021 or as otherwise agreed.

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

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Associate Professor Annika Skoglund, Annika.skoglund@angstrom.uu.se, mobile: +46 70 425 09 08

Please submit your application by August 2 2021, UFV-PA 2021/2589.

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.