Phd student Economics, Department of Forest Economics

The department of forest economics is focused on research and education within business administration and natural resource economics and policy, with a particular focus on forest-related natural resources. Departmental activities have strong connections to sustainable development. The department contributes to education at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, and is responsible for bachelor- and master programs as well as offering PhD education within business administration and resource economics. Geographically, the department is located at two campuses: Ultuna (Uppsala) and Umeå. The department also has very strong research connections locally and internationally: It is a key part of an inter-University (together with Umeå University) research center, CERE (www.cere.se); it is involved in SSFE (Scandinavian Society Forest Economics) (www.ssfe-network.org); and is responsible for the editorial office of the Journal of Forest Economics (www.nowpublishers.com/JFE); and the head office of the research- and knowledge network “Forest Bioeconomy Network” – closely connected to the EFI (European Forest Institute) (www.forbioeconomy.com), is located at the department.

We are searching for a doctoral student to join the Department of Forest Economics at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Umeå. The student will engage in the study of sustainable management of forest resources applying economic principles and econometric models. In this context, forest resource management can range from forest owner harvesting decisions, to industry-level behaviors responding to public policies, to the monetarization of forest ecosystem services. The final focus of the Ph.D. program will be determined by the candidate’s and mentor’s common interests. Candidates are encouraged to review research conducted by Dr. Tommy Lundgren Professor, Department of Forest Economics, see e.g. Google Scholar or his profile on www.cere.se/en.

The selected PhD candidate will be involved in interdisciplinary efforts at the SLU Department of Forest Economics. The candidate will be involved in: identifying a research topic that expands the state-of-knowledge integrating economics and forest resource management or forest sector modeling; developing relevant research questions, developing a theoretical framework and an appropriate research design; applying appropriate econometric tools or analytical models; writing scientific manuscripts and produce a Ph.D. thesis suitable for examination. Course work is also included in the PhD program.

The PhD program consists of 4-year full-time studies where the position is to be contracted based on annual evaluations.

Qualifications:
To be eligible to apply for the PhD program, you have to have at least a master’s degree in economics or related field (e.g., agricultural economics, natural resource economics, forest economics, or a strong quantitative interdisciplinary program). Knowledge in natural resource economics, demonstrated capacity to integrate forestry and economics concepts and documented knowledge of econometric/statistical packages or other modeling software are considered an extra merit. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is required.

Of extra merit is experience writing scientific manuscripts. Additionally, advanced knowledge in the use of R, SAS, Stata or other software commonly used in econometric analyses or economic modeling (e.g., GAMS, Matlab) is considered extra merit.

Place of work:
Umeå, Sweden (more information about Umeå you find here: Visit Umeå)

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment up to 4 years as PhD student, with yearly evaluations.

Starting date:
Negotiable, upon agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2021-06-15, use the button below.

Individuals have basic eligibility for third cycle education if they have taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Final selection is made with reference to a written application including a CV, a two-page proposed research outline, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, a copy of the MS thesis, at least two referees familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language, and an interview.

Please observe that applicant offered the PhD position shall, as part of the application to the PhD program, hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts of studies at a recognized higher education institution (university or university college). If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

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) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.