PhD student in human geography with a focus on demography and gender - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Department of Geography has around 40 employees and conducts extensive research within the field of human geography. Our main research and teaching evolve around topics like spatial planning, economic geography, tourism, resource management and sustainability. For more information about the department, please visit: https://www.umu.se/institutionen-for-geografi/

Centre for Demography and Ageing Research (CEDAR) CEDAR is a multidisciplinary centre where researchers from different faculties and disciplines study demographic changes from a young to an ageing society in a variety of projects. For more information about the department, please visit: https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-demographic-and-ageing-research/research/

Description of work 

       
The Department of Geography and Centre for Demography and Aging Research, Umeå University are looking for a doctoral student to work on a research project in the field of ageing, informal care and the geography of family networks based on a critical perspective on demographic categories such as age, gender, socio-economic position, ethnicity and geographical location. The position is a collaboration with the Graduate School of Gender Studies at Umeå Center for Gender Studies.

The doctoral student will work within the Department of Geography and will also belong to the Graduate School of Gender Studies at the Umeå Centre of Gender Studies. A Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of gender studies will take part in a unique and dynamic research environment, in which about 30 Ph.D. students are participating. For more information on the Graduate School of Gender Studies, see 

https://www.umu.se/en/umea-centre-for-gender-studies/doctoral-studies/the-graduate-school-of-gender-studies/. 

A starting point for the PhD project could be analyzes based on SHARE (The Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe) for which CEDAR is the Swedish node. SHARE is an interview-based survey focusing on, among other things, labor supply, livelihood opportunities, social and economic conditions, family networks and physical and mental health among people over the age of 50. The understanding of the differences in responses between groups in the survey can be complemented by interviews generating a deepened understanding from an intersectional perspective that takes into account, for example, socio-economic differences, men and women, rural and urban.

The position requires the doctoral student to actively participate in communicating research results in international academic contexts and to various societal actors.

About the position

Employment as PhD-student aims to reach a doctoral degree and is normally full-time employment for 4 years. Your salary is determined in accordance to a stipulated scale for PhD positions (currently starting around 28 000 SEK to reach about 35 000 SEK the final year). If departmental duties (e.g., teaching) can be offered, that will be a maximum of 20%, the position will be prolonged accordingly.

The doctoral student will be admitted to the PhD program in human geography and employed at the Department of Geography at Umeå University. The doctoral student will also be part of the CEDAR research environment a participant in the Graduate School of Gender Studies. Location for the employment is Umeå and the employment contract starts 1st September 2021.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible applicants must fulfil the following prerequisites: 240 ECTS-credits of higher education studies of which at least 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), at least 90 credits must be in human geography or related disciplines, and at least 30 credits must be awarded for successful thesis work in human geography or related disciplines.

Other qualifications

Applicants must be proficient in both oral and written communication in English and have insight in the research field of social sciences, especially human geography and gender studies. Previous work with, or experience with, surveys, and/or interviews is meritorious.

If considered eligible the research proposal together with previous academic achievements will primarily be evaluated. Attention will also be given to the ability to utilize the education (communicative ability, ability to work in a group as well as independently and ability of critical reasoning).

Application

A complete application must include:

1. Research proposal presenting your research ideas and how they are contributing to the current literature (no more than four pages excluding references).

2. A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, scientific interests and motives for applying (max two pages)

3. CV

4. Diplomas of bachelor and Master level degrees

5. Bachelor/Master theses work/other relevant publications

6. Other merits of relevance for the position

7. Contact information to two reference persons

For more information regarding the Department of Geography contact Emma Lundholm, +46-90-786 7172, emma.lundholm@umu.se; PhD-program in Human Geography Aina Tollefsen, +46-90-786 7884, aina.tollefsen@umu.se; CEDAR Mojgan Padyab, +46- 90- 786 6249, mojgan.padyab@umu.se.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!