PhD-student in human geography

Umeå University, Faculty of Social Sciences

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Department of Geography at Umeå University is a research and educational environment with around 40 employees. Our research and teaching are directed towards areas such as spatial planning, economic geography, migration and regional development. We are now announcing a PhD-position with the aim to contribute to our research on migration, specifically directed towards qualitative migration processes. The research will be performed within the departmental research profile Geographical migration studies. For more information about the research profile, please visit the following web page here

Description of work

The current doctoral project should focus on geographical migration studies and its’ effects on regions and places. Within this framework, you are free to develop your own research project. Suggestions on topics could be:

The production of rural spaces through migration and its’ social consequences
Temporary labour migration: Migration industries related to the “New Green North”
Asylum- and refugee migration from a transnational and/or biographical perspective
Migration and development in the Global South: cooperative solutions to labour migration
Migration and environment: the complexity of migration motives

Depending on how you are formulating your project, we expect the candidate to use qualitative methods, for instance include case studies, ethnographically inspired fieldwork, interviews, discourse analysis and/or policy analysis.

The position requires active communication of research in both academic and policy circles and the candidate is expected to participate in daily project and departmental activities.

About the position

Employment as PhD-student aims to reach a doctoral degree and is normally full-time employment for 4 years starting 2023-09-01 or when mutually agreed. Your salary is determined in accordance to a stipulated scale for PhD positions. If departmental duties (e.g., teaching) can be offered that will be a maximum of 20% and the position will be prolonged accordingly. As a PhD student you are expected to work independently with your PhD project as well as collaborate with the research group, participate in seminars and other department activities.

Location for the appointment is Umeå, Sweden

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. Knowledge about and experiences from qualitative methods is meriting.

If considered eligible the ability to formulate a research proposal that is related to the call and embedded in current discussions in human geography 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). Special attention will be given to a coherent research idea and research method.

Application

A complete application must include:

1. Research proposal presenting your research ideas in relation to the call (no more than 3 pages), including:

Description of the research idea
Motivation of project in relation to the theme of this call
Aim and research questions
Connection to relevant literature in human geography

2. A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, scientific interests and motives for applying (max 2 pages)
3. CV
4. Diplomas of bachelor and Master level degrees
5. Bachelor/Master theses work/other relevant publications (including thesis draft if not already having a Master-degree)
6. Other merits of relevance for the position
7. Contact information to two reference persons

Note that incomplete applications will not be processed. Your application must be registered in Umeå University’s e-recruitment system no later than 2023-05-22.

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapt. 12, 2§) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed.

For more information contact Professor Charlotta Hedberg (phone +46 (0)90-786 5602, e-mail charlotta.hedberg@umu.se) or the director of graduate studies, Aina Tollefsen (phone +46(0)90-786 7884, e-mail aina.tollefsen@umu.se).

We are looking forward to receiving your application!