PhD student in Industrial Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PhD student in Industrial Engineering & Management: Reindustrializing nuclear technology in Sweden

Are you interested in working with Industrial Engineering, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD student position at Uppsala University.

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 100 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.

Introduction to the research context

The new Swedish competence centre ANItA (Academic-industrial Nuclear technology Initiative to Achieve a sustainable energy future) integrates expertise among the leading Swedish universities and leading Nordic companies in the nuclear energy sector to introduce novel nuclear power technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Within ANItA we are looking for a PhD student to join the research group focusing on understanding the possibilities of deploying nuclear technology and SMRs in Sweden in particular.

Project description

Historically Sweden has been a ‘nuclear state’ supporting the development and establishment of a nuclear industry resulting in the deployment of several nuclear reactors from the 1960s’ to the mid-1980s’. In the late 1970s’ the political landscape changed aiming to phase out nuclear energy production in the long run. With the increased (future) need for electricity due to the electrification of society as well as the need to limit CO2 emissions, the political landscape regarding nuclear technology is once more under transition, proposing a changing attitude towards developing and deploying nuclear energy production in Sweden.

This research project studies the potential re-industrialisation of nuclear technology in Sweden and opens to numerous interesting questions for instance related to future competence needs, industrial learning processes, complex program/project management challenges of very large and multi-dimensional infrastructure investments, modularisation of infrastructure, reframing of (nuclear) technology, the socio-materiality of innovation, changing views of nuclear technology in society, meanings of risk, to name a few. 

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%).

Admission requirements

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master´s (second cycle) degree, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Requirements

As a candidate for this position, you should have a Master’s degree (MSc) in one of the following subjects: Industrial Management, Innovation, STS studies, Business and administration, Sustainable development/management, project management, construction management, or an equivalent degree.

Additional qualifications: You need to have good knowledge about scientific methods, qualitative methods in particular. Cross-disciplinary experiences as well as knowledge about energy systems, nuclear technology, and large projects is meritorious.

You should be ambitious, productive, and have a thorough interest in critical reflection as well as in 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.

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

Application

The application should include the following:

• 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 reflection proposal (maximum 3 A4 pages), written in English, showing your academic creativity and rigor. The topics described in the Project description can give you an indication of possible questions and challenges to investigate further. We want you to discuss what type of questions and problems you find interesting given the context of nuclear technology in Sweden as well as how you and your academic experiences and interests fit for that purpose. We encourage you to show your own creativity and ideas in relation to theoretical as well as practical challenges you might identify to develop and deploy nuclear technology in Sweden.
• your master thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents that demonstrates your ability of written communication.
• also provide letter(s) of recommendation and contact information to at least two reference persons.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment: 100 %. Starting date December 2023 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala. Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Åse Linné, ase.linne@angstrom.uu.se, mobile: +46 729 999259.

Please submit your application by 29 November 2023, UFV-PA 2023/3414.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.