Vacant job

Job Responsibilities

The PhD program in Political Science consists of 240 higher education credits (equivalent to four years of full-time study) and concludes with the doctoral student defending their printed doctoral thesis at a public defense.

The person employed as a doctoral student will receive a salary from the university for four years and will primarily focus on their own doctoral education. Institutional duties of up to 20 percent of full-time may occur, for example in the form of teaching, which will extend the employment accordingly. The doctoral student will have access to a workplace at the Department of Political Science. Regulations regarding the employment of doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

The position is linked to the interdisciplinary research project “Power and Polarization in Swedish Forestry: From Lock-ins to Sustainable Transition” at Lund University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The project is funded by FORMAS (2025-2030) and is led by Professor Fariborz Zelli at the Department of Political Science, Lund University.

The debate about forestry in Sweden has become increasingly conflictual and polarized. Several key actors emphasize the importance of effective forestry to secure Sweden's export of forest products on the global market. Others criticize that Swedish forestry continues with clear-cutting and large-scale clearings, in contrast to continuous cover forestry, arguing that conventional methods undermine environmental and climate goals at the national, EU, and global levels.

The overarching aim of the project is to analyze these lock-ins, their drivers and effects, and to identify sustainable forestry practices while reducing polarization. The project team employs various methods; from focus groups and surveys to network and scenario analyses. Additionally, project members collaborate with key stakeholders to identify alternative ways to manage polarization in favor of a sustainable transition.

The doctoral student is expected to contribute to the study of power and polarization in Swedish forestry in line with the project's overarching aim. Within this framework, and in dialogue with other project participants, the doctoral student will conduct independent research based on their own questions, theoretical choices, and methodological approaches. The doctoral student is expected to be present at the department and actively participate in the research and teaching environment, as well as be involved in the work of the project, including project reporting to FORMAS.

More information about the project: https://portal.research.lu.se/sv/projects/power-and-polarisation-in-swedish-forestry-from-lock-ins-to-susta/ (https://portal.research.lu.se/sv/projects/power-and-polarisation-in-swedish-forestry-from-lock-ins-to-susta/)

The working language of the doctoral education is primarily English. However, non-Swedish-speaking doctoral students are expected to acquire basic skills in Swedish during their employment period. Opportunities for language instruction at Lund University are available. The doctoral position is to commence on 2026-09-01. The general study plan and other information about the PhD program in Political Science are available at: https://www.svet.lu.se/internt/forska-utbilda-och-samverka/forskarutbildning-introduktion?q=forska-utbilda/under-dina-forskarstudier (https://www.svet.lu.se/internt/forska-utbilda-och-samverka/forskarutbildning-introduktion?q=forska-utbilda/under-dina-forskarstudier)

Fixed-term employment for four years, in accordance with HF Chapter 5, Section 7.

Eligibility

To be admitted to doctoral education (HF Chapter 7, Section 35), the applicant must

• have basic eligibility and the specific eligibility that the university may have prescribed, and
• be assessed to otherwise have the ability required to benefit from doctoral education (SFS 2010:1064).

Basic eligibility for doctoral level education is granted to those who have

• completed a master's degree,
• fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level, or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.

Specific eligibility

The applicant must, in addition to the basic eligibility for doctoral education, have at least 30 higher education credits in the main field of political science at the master's level or acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad. The applicant must also have completed an independently written thesis of at least 15 higher education credits at the master's level in political science or a subject deemed equivalent in relation to the project. At the time of application, the thesis must be examined and graded.

Assessment Criteria

Only those who are admitted to doctoral education may be appointed to the position of doctoral student. In the admission process, primary consideration will be given to the degree of ability to benefit from doctoral education. Ranking of applicants will be based on a comprehensive assessment of the quality of submitted thesis work and submitted research proposals, grades from previous education, and personal suitability. Since doctoral studies in political science are very demanding, the applicant must be strongly motivated and have the ability to work independently under time pressure. Good collaboration and communication skills are also required, as well as good proficiency in English, both spoken and written. Experience from previous studies of environmental or forestry policy, Swedish political processes, and Swedish political culture is an asset. Interviews will be conducted with a limited selection of applicants in the final stage of the admission process.

Application Procedure

Applications are made electronically via Lund University's applicant portal. The application must include:

• a cover letter in Swedish or English, comprising a maximum of 1,000 words, which includes a brief presentation of yourself as an applicant and your qualifications, as well as a brief description of why you are interested in the doctoral education at the Department of Political Science at Lund University;
• a concise research proposal regarding the theme of the research project in Swedish or English, comprising a maximum of 2,000 words including references;
• a CV in Swedish or English demonstrating eligibility for doctoral education in political science;
• degree certificates and transcripts in Swedish or English;
• a thesis in Swedish or English corresponding to at least 15 higher education credits at the master's level (if applicable, a bachelor's thesis may also be attached, in addition to the master's level thesis) in political science or a subject deemed equivalent;
• names and contact details of two referees, preferably active in academia (reference letters are not necessary at the application stage);
• any other documents that you as an applicant wish to invoke for the current position.

Welcome with your application!