PhD student-Agricultural science-specialization in business administration

Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology
We research and teach environmental psychology, business management and advisory services. The focus of the department is on the human environment as a place for work, economic activities, health and well-being. The basic assumption is that health and well-being is a major force for a positive development of society, including business and management. Read more about the department here Department of People and Society | Externwebben (slu.se)

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

The department is now looking for one Ph.D. candidate to join the European Union funded research project “FOODCoST” and to take part in other departmental activities, such as teaching.
FOODCoST: FOOD Costing and Internalization of Externalities for System Transition
Project description

The hidden, negative costs of food production such as lower biodiversity, rising health care costs and climate change are estimated to be in the trillions of euros each year! The overall objective of this four-year, European Union–Horizon 22 project is to identify “hidden” costs in the food system so that they can be understood, reduced, and paid for by those who generate or benefit from them.

Description:
Working in a European wide consortium with over 75 actors across 15 countries, the FOODCoST project https://www.foodcost-project.eu/ will e.g. create instruments to measure hidden, true costs of production; engage supply chain stakeholders to identify opportunities and barriers to reducing negative production costs; work with retailers to develop more efficient ways of communicating the hidden, true costs of food sold to consumers. The FOODCoST consortium also works closely with the EU commission in Brussels and will use the evidence base to provide guidance to policy makers, businesses, and other stakeholders.

This PhD project will focus mainly on understanding value-chain stakeholders who generate or benefit from the negative, hidden costs of production and to explore ways to communicate these costs to consumers (e.g. through labelling & information). The research will require interviews with stakeholders and or e.g. designing, implementing and analyzing experiments in retail environments.

Most of the teaching and project meetings will take place physically in Alnarp and therefore the Ph.D. student is expected to live near campus Alnarp. The Ph.D. student is also expected to travel to the FOODCoST project consortium meetings held by our partners across Europe.

The position may involve teaching, but no more than 20% of the Ph.D. student’s time (the equivalent of one course) in the Department of People and Society’s courses. The remainder of time will be spent taking Ph.D. courses, joining project meetings, conducting research, applying for research grants, and publishing.

Qualifications:
Required


• Master’s Degree (any)
• Bachelor or Master’s Degree with at least a minor in Business Administration or Economics or degree related to the green sector such as Horticulture, Farm management, Agro-ecology, etc.
• Written and spoken fluency in English.

Merit


• Previous experience working with statistics.
• Previous experience publishing scientific research or popular science (e.g. contribution to web-blogs, opinion articles in newspapers).
• Previous experience teaching or lecturing in public settings.
• Evidence that you are passionate about the green sector.
• Any evidence demonstrating a history of good social skills, a strong work ethic, and a passion for writing.

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:
Time limited, full-time employment of 2 years as a Ph.D. student.

The employment can be extended an additional 2 years depending on research progress and funding.

Starting date:
September 1st 2023 or by agreement

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-07-31.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.