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University of Gothenburg meets society's challenges with diverse knowledge. With 58,000 students and 6,800 employees, the university is a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education attract researchers and students from all over the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future.

The Department of Economics and Society, at the Gothenburg School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, is advertising a PhD position in the Division of Human Geography.

Human geography deals with how people, businesses, and regions develop in relation to the external world. We study geographical conditions, relationships, and change processes, as well as all the factors that influence societal development in different places around the world. In other words, we take a holistic approach to societal development – local, regional, and global. The division offers an undergraduate program in social analysis as well as courses at the basic and advanced levels. For more information, see the Division of Human Geography (https://www.gu.se/ekonomi-samhalle/handelshogskolan/ekonomi-samhalle/om-oss/vara-avdelningar/avdelningen-for-kulturgeografi).

University-wide information about what it means to be a PhD student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's PhD pages: PhD information (https://www.gu.se/forskarutbildning).

Job Responsibilities

We are looking for a PhD student for the research project Making latent demand for collective mobility visible and realizing it: knowledge, governance, and tools for planning in Swedish metropolitan regions. The work in the project will begin immediately after the employment starts.

As a PhD student, you will focus on your doctoral studies. This includes formulating and conducting a dissertation project in accordance with an individual study plan and in collaboration with your supervisor, as well as completing mandatory PhD courses. You are also expected to participate in the research environment at the department.

A doctoral education comprises four years of full-time studies and leads to a doctoral degree.

Within the framework of your PhD employment, you may have departmental duties to a maximum extent of 20% of full-time work distributed over the entire period of study, which in such cases will result in a corresponding extension of the study period. Departmental duties usually include teaching at the basic and advanced levels, but may also involve research and administration.

About the Research Project

Making latent demand for collective mobility visible and realizing it: knowledge, governance, and tools for planning in Swedish metropolitan regions.

The project is funded by K2 – The Swedish National Centre for Research and Education in Transport and Communications, in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg. It investigates so-called latent demand for collective mobility – that is, trips and activities that people would like to undertake using collective transport modes (such as public transport or shared mobility services) but which are not currently realized. A deeper understanding of this untapped potential is central to planning and steering towards a more sustainable mobility system.

The project's overarching goal is to identify where latent demand exists, understand why it is not converted into actual trips, and develop knowledge and tools that can support planning and policy for collective mobility. The research analyzes behavioral, perceived, and structural factors that influence people's mobility choices, such as attitudes, norms, and habits, as well as the interplay between actual and perceived accessibility to collective mobility.

The PhD student will be part of the PhD network at K2. This network brings together PhD students from various disciplines and different parts of the country to discuss their research on collective mobility at seminars and an annual retreat. The K2 environment offers opportunities for scientific discussion, collaboration with industry and authorities, and dissemination of research results.

Full Advertisement

For further information, qualifications, and eligibility requirements, as well as to apply for the position, see the full advertisement at University of Gothenburg's website (https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-anstallningar).

Contact Information for the Position

If you have questions about the position, please contact:

• Anders Larsson, Associate Professor, Project Manager, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
• Jerry Olsson, Associate Professor, PhD Coordinator, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
• Jonas Lindberg, Senior Lecturer, Division Head, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Trade Unions

Trade union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: Help for Applicants (https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande).

Application deadline: 2026-06-28

The University actively works for a working environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the operations.

The University applies individual salary setting.

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