Vacant job

Job Description

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who wants to contribute to the transition towards more circular and resilient industrial systems through research on industrial ecosystems, collaboration, and sustainable transformation in the manufacturing industry.

The project takes place in close collaboration with the Sustainability Technologies Innovation Centre in Södertälje and its main actors, AstraZeneca, Scania, and RISE, with a specific empirical anchoring at AstraZeneca. The research combines scientific analysis with the active development of the platform's long-term transformation capacity.

The focus is on how industrial ecosystems can be organized and mobilized to enable circular transition in mature manufacturing systems. Central research questions concern cross-company collaboration, Scope 3 challenges, supplier relationships, industrial symbiosis, resource flows, transparency mechanisms, and circular business models. The work includes independent research, empirical case studies, and analysis of industrial networks and forms of collaboration. In close dialogue with industrial and public actors, the postdoctoral researcher will develop and test research-based models and methods in real industrial environments.

The position is part of KTH's PROCEED initiative in Södertälje, which creates an internationally attractive research environment in close collaboration with Traton/Scania and AstraZeneca. Regular presence in Södertälje is a central part of the position. We are looking for an analytically strong and curious researcher with an interest in theoretically grounded and applied research on industrial transformation.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A completed PhD degree or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a PhD. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than at the time the employment decision is made.
• Documented scientific proficiency, ability to conduct independent research, and ability to publish in international scientific journals.
• Documented research competence in areas such as industrial ecosystems, circular transition, circular business model innovation, sustainable industrial transformation, or similar.
• Good ability to communicate orally and in writing in English, as this is required in daily work.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with other researchers, companies, and external actors.
• Pedagogical ability to communicate research to students, researchers, and broader audiences.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality.

Merits

• At the last day of application, no more than three years have passed since the PhD degree or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a PhD was awarded.
• Experience in research on industrial ecosystems, innovation ecosystems, circular business models, industrial symbiosis, sustainability transitions, supply chains, Scope 3-related challenges, or sustainable production systems.
• Experience in empirical research in industrial environments, such as case studies, interviews, document studies, workshops, stakeholder mapping, or analysis of collaboration processes.
• Experience in research or projects related to the pharmaceutical industry, process industry, manufacturing industry, or complex supplier and value chains.
• Experience in developing research proposals, coordinating research activities, or contributing to interdisciplinary research environments.
• Ability to communicate research in Swedish or willingness to develop such ability, as the position involves close collaboration with actors in Sweden.

We will place great emphasis on personal qualities.

Join KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research, and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in driving and contributing to the transition to a sustainable society. Here, you are offered the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic workplace with good working conditions and benefits. Gender equality, diversity, and equal opportunities are a quality issue and a clear part of KTH's values as a university and a government agency.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work and develop at KTH.

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Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring your application is complete when submitted.

The application should include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of degree certificates and transcripts from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in either of these languages.
• Brief statement on why you want to conduct research, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max 2 pages long.

The application must be received by KTH no later than the last day of application by midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the Employment

The employment is permanent, but for a maximum of two years.

A postdoctoral position is a time-limited merit-based employment with a main focus on research, intended as a first career step after the PhD defense.

Other

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It may occur that a position at KTH is classified in a security class. If this is the case for this specific position, a security clearance of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) with consent. In these cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security clearance.

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