Postdoctoral position in Geography of Social Justice - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Social and Economic Geography encompasses world class research and education within the field of social and economic development, structural transformation and the relationship between humans and nature. More information can be found at www.kultgeog.uu.se.

Duties/Project description: As part of a new EU-Horizon2020 project, JustNorth: Toward Just, Ethical and Sustainable Arctic Economies, Environments and Societies, we are seeking one Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in the geography of social justice. This position is contingent upon final approval of European Union funding.

JustNorth is a large-scale interdisciplinary project involving researchers at 15 universities on three continents that aims to explore the ways in which the multitude of ethical systems that coexist in the Arctic can be used as a critical element for assessing the viability of new economic activities in the region. The fundamental premise of the project is that economic activity cannot be sustainable if it is ethically deficient, and yet the rules for translating across different ethical systems and philosophies of justice are insufficiently understood, especially in relation to sustainability and the transformation of environments in the Arctic.

This Postdoctoral Researcher’s primary responsibility will be to conduct research within the context of JustNorth’s Work Package 1, which is charged with developing a justice and ethics framework for use in later, more empirical phases of the project, but s/he will also have the opportunity to contribute to work in other work packages as appropriate.  The WP1 team is charged with critically evaluating major philosophies and theories of justice and ethics in order to develop a philosophically and theoretically grounded set of justice frameworks for analysis for the empirical case studies conducted in later work packages, while also providing the philosophical and theoretical foundations for a contextually-sensitive negotiation tool and set of policy prescriptions that will be primary outcomes of the JustNorth project overall.

The postdoctoral research will be expected to work closely with the Work Package 1 leader (Professor Don Mitchell) to coordinate research efforts, work collaboratively with other Work Package researchers, convene seminars, develop working papers and an analytical handbook for use in other phases of JustNorth research, and publish scientific articles, and contribute to other work packages as appropriate.

This is a full-time, two-year post to be based at Uppsala University. Candidates must possess a doctoral degree or have submitted their PhD thesis for examination by time of commencement. The posts commence 1 June 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter.  (If Covid-19 restrictions remain in place, provisions will be made for distance- and/or home-based employment, to the degree allowed by law).

Requirements: To qualify for an employment as a postdoctoral researcher you must have a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in geography or a related discipline. The PhD degree must be in hand by the start date but have been obtained no more than three years prior to the application deadline. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

The successful candidate will have proven depth of knowledge and expertise in philosophies of justice, critical social theory, and spatial theory.  Applicants should be able to show through their doctoral or published research a direct, creative, and original engagement with literatures on the geography of justice in particular and the philosophy of justice more generally.  An ability for both independent and collaborative work and to work in an interdisciplinary setting are required, as is an ability to write in a clear, concise manner accessible to non-disciplinary specialists.  Fluency in both spoken and written English is likewise required.

Additional qualifications: Previous research on Arctic topics is not required but is an advantage.  Applicants without such research experience should explain in their application any relevant other experience and how they see their previous research as being of value to a project concerned with sustainable development in Arctic regions.

Application process: Interested candidates should upload an application through the link below.  Required documents include (1) Curriculum Vitae inclusive of publication list; (2) Copy of PhD degree; (3) a statement of research interests and how they could contribute to the project (maximum 3 pages); (4) relevant sample(s) of written work (20,000 words maximum), and (5) names and contact information (including phone numbers) for three referees willing to provide a reference on request. On-line interviews will be arranged with shortlisted candidates.

Further information: You may contact Professor Don Mitchell (Don.Mitchell@kultgeog.uu.se) for further information about the position and expected scope of research.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: 01-06-2020 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to central collective agreement.

Scope of employment: 100 %

Please submit your application by 30 April 2020, UFV-PA 2020/1399.

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