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.

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The Department of Geography is to appoint a doctoral student in economic geography focussing on entrepreneurship, regional development, and potential societal responses to population ageing. The employment begins on September 1, 2023 or by agreement for four years on a full-time basis. The 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/

Description of work

The current doctoral project will be carried out within the framework of an ongoing research project called Senior entrepreneurs – the role of social capital for supporting inclusive silver economy in the Swedish countryside. This project examines the impact of population ageing on entrepreneurship from an economic geography perspective. The project is based on two fundamental dimensions of entrepreneurship research in relation to the regional context: firm formation and firm performance. In particular, the project focuses on the role of local social capital (LSC) in relation to how entrepreneurship may contribute to development of rural Sweden.

In this project, an ageing population is seen as the process that creates not only challenges but also novel societal opportunities that need to be investigated scientifically. As the healthy life expectancy is increasing, entrepreneurship might be an option for productive life at older age. Senior entrepreneurs may thus not only become increasingly important for rural communities in terms of business activity and provision of amenities, but such entrepreneurs might also enjoy better life quality from being economically active at the later stages of their lives. Within the framework of this project the PhD student is expected to plan and conduct independent scientific research related to regional economic and demographic transformations and entrepreneurship across different stages of the working life.

The PhD student is expected to have documented skills in quantitative analyses and to work with large public data as well as longitudinal micro-data within the scope of this project. Suggestions on topics for the PhD student could be:

What is the role of regional soft factors like local associations and social capital for the formation and performance of firms across different stages of entrepreneur’s working life? How does it differ in rural and urban contexts?
Can automation and digitalization support older entrepreneurs and how does that vary across peripheral, rural and urban areas?
Are the regional drivers of female and male entrepreneurship different in later stages of life? What is the role of different regional contexts?

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 of and experience with, analysing quantitative data and managing large databases and longitudinal microdata is particularly meritorious. We expect the applicant to have some knowledge of basic programming (e.g. script in Stata). Knowledge of, or practical experience with, R or Python is considered a valuable asset.

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).

Application

A complete application must include:

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

Motivation of project in relation to the theme of this call
Aim and research questions
Connection to relevant literature in economic 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 Rikard Eriksson (phone +46 (0)90-786 7416, e-mail rikard.eriksson@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!