Postdoctoral researcher in human geography - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Geography seeks applications for an open postdoc position. The successful applicant is expected to contribute to the project “Climate Change and the Double Amplification of Arctic Tourism: Challenges and Potential Solutions for Tourism and Sustainable Development in an Arctic Context”, financed by the Swedish research council FORMAS. For more information on the project see: https://www.umu.se/forskning/projekt/climate-change-and-the-double-amplification-of-arctic-tourism-challenges-and-potential-solutions-for-tourism-and-sustainable-development-in-an-arctic-context/

The project and duties

The postdoctoral project focuses on the geography of changing tourist flows to Arctic Sweden and the extent to which these changes have created issues around unforeseen ‘tourism bubbles’, over-tourism and land-use competition. It requires the conduction of in-depth qualitative case studies of places where local populations experience negative impacts from tourism and land-use conflicts. It will include interviews with a broad range of local stakeholders, collection of basic statistics, and eventually reviews of local newspapers. Experience of thematic and narrative analysis and the use of qualitative analysis software is an advantage. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and carrying out research in collaboration with two of the project researchers, Linda Lundmark and Anna Zachrisson.

About employment

The employment contract starts in February 2021, for the duration of two years full time (up to 20 % could be devoted to departmental duties like teaching). The postdoctoral research fellow will be expected to carry out the majority of work in Umeå and to participate in common project and departmental activities.

Requirements

In order to be qualified for the position, the person must have achieved a doctoral degree in geography with a focus on human geography or equivalent. The main assessment criteria for the appointment are documented research skills and academic track record. It is an advantage for the applicant to be able to perform and analyse qualitative research in a Scandinavian language. The applicant must be fluent in English. We especially value candidates with documented interest in social and ecological sustainability issues related to tourism and land use conflicts in rural areas. It is also a merit if the candidate is familiar with social, political and geographical discourses in Sweden, as a context for drivers and outcomes of over-tourism and land use conflicts.

In the selection process, value will be given to knowledge of geographical perspectives and research experiences of over-tourism and land use conflicts. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this time period may be taken into consideration if special circumstances exist. Postdoctoral students who will teach or supervise should have relevant education.

We also want you to be flexible in your work; you should take initiative and be able to work independently. We want you to take full responsibility for the task at hand. The work also requires you to collaborate with others within and outside Umeå University.

Application

Applications are accepted via system Varbi. The application should contain:

- a complete CV, including full publication list

- a research plan describing the applicant's research interests in relation to the position (max. 3 pages)

- the applicant's three most representative publications

Information

For further information on the job position, contact the WP3 researcher, Linda Lundmark (linda.lundmark@umu.se).