Professor in Environmental Social Science at Stockholm University
Stockholm University hereby invites applications for a position as Professor in Environmental Social Science (Ref.No. SU 611-3009-11).
Topic Description
The possible contribution of social science to the understanding of current processes of environmental change covers a wide range of issues. Which aspects of human action and of the human-built environment affect the climate? How do climate and environmental change influence the conditions for a well-functioning society? How are such changes reflected in, for example, the areas of health and economy? How do individuals and societies adapt, at various levels of organization and action, to climatic and environmental change? Which notions of continuity and change in the climate and environment are prevalent in different social contexts? Which are the processes of knowledge and value formation that create such notions? Can one identify tensions between different interpretations?
The development of environmental social science requires open and non-normative research on all of these questions and presupposes that local as well as global aspects are covered.
The purpose of the announced position as professor is to stimulate the growth of the research area as a whole. Processes that can be related to the core issues of social science as well as to actual human impact on the environment and climate (or vice versa) should be in focus. The starting point should be a solid basis of theoretical and methodological traditions from social science.
Job Description
The position entails conducting research and teaching, primarily at the graduate and postgraduate levels. It also entails working with the development and implementation of faculty wide research initiatives and educational partnerships within the area of environmental social science. Furthermore, the position includes networking within the faculty as well as nationally and internationally, in order to strengthen research on climate and environmental issues at the Faculty of Social Science.
Qualification Requirements
Qualified to be employed as a professor is a person who has demonstrated proficiency both in terms of research and in terms of teaching, in one of the areas that are represented at the Faculty of Social Sciences (or equivalent).
Research proficiency should have been demonstrated through independent social science research with environmental relevance. The research should, to a significant degree, exceed the requirements for qualification as an associate professor (docent), both in terms of quality and in terms of quantity. The planning and management of research will also be assigned significance.
Teaching proficiency should have been demonstrated through teaching in first cycle, second cycle, and third cycle education. Assessment of teaching proficiency should cover the planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching as supervision and examination. The teaching proficiency should be well-documented in a manner, which makes it possible to assess the quality of the teaching activities.
The applicant must have the ability to cooperate as well as the ability and suitability otherwise needed to perform the duties well.
Assessment Criteria
Special and equal emphasis will be paid to teaching proficiency and research proficiency, demonstrated through independent social science based research within the environmental field.
Strong emphasis will be paid to experience in interdisciplinary research, particularly within social science itself. Good knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative methods is of special merit.
Strong emphasis will be paid to a documented ability to cooperate well with colleagues and researchers. Experience of cooperation across disciplinary boundaries is of special merit.
Strong emphasis will also be paid to administrative skills, especially demonstrated by management of interdisciplinary research and education projects. Strong emphasis will be put on the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society and to inform about research and development.
Emphasis will be paid to
- Successful research supervision demonstrated through active guidance of at least one PhD student to a completed degree.
- Successfully having applied and received research funds for projects from external sponsors.
The following is a merit:
- It is also a merit to have completed at least 7.5 higher education credits (ECTS) of higher education in teaching theory or to have acquired equivalent knowledge through other means.
- Completed research supervisor training.
More information on the job, the application process and contact details can be found at the website linked below.