PhD student for project on retail actions for food waste reduction

Department of People and Society
At the Department of People and Society, we conduct research in and teach environmental psychology, business management, and advisory services. Our goal is to create conditions for sustainable living and working environments in both rural and urban areas. We develop and communicate high-quality knowledge about people, the environment, and business.

About the department https://www.slu.se/institutioner/institutionen-for-manniska-och-samhalle

About our benefits working at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Project: Follow the Food: Waste reducing retain actions – what when the food reaches the consumer?
Research subject: Agricultural Science
Description:
We are hiring a PhD student for the project “Follow the Food: Waste reducing retain actions – what when the food reaches the consumer?” funded by FORMAS (Ref: 2023–01912).

Food waste reduction is a crucial part of the transition to a more sustainable society, including the grocery retail sector. Therefore, the project will investigate actions taken by grocery stores to reduce waste, such as "soon to expire" discounts and store-prepared meals, and whether and how they actually reduce food waste; does the food get eaten, or is the waste simply transferred to the consumers? Additionally, the method for measuring the waste and its integration into the stores’ operations will be studied. The project combines quantitative measurements with qualitative interviews and observations, as well as sociological theories.

The project involves researchers at the Department of People and Society at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Alnarp, outside Malmö, and the Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics at Uppsala University, in close collaboration with Coop Sweden AB.

Work tasks
The primary tasks of the PhD student are to write a doctoral thesis and develop independence as a researcher within the project’s framework. In this role, they will conduct research for the project, involving the collection and analysis of both qualitative materials and quantitative data. These materials will foremost be created through interaction with customers and employees in grocery stores. The work also entails participating in and eventually leading the writing of scientific articles in English, presenting ongoing research both within and outside academia, and completing the PhD program.

The PhD student will be part of the business management research group.

Qualifications:
Requirements


• Master's degree (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the project, such as sociology, management, economics, food science, geography, anthropology, sustainability, agricultural science, or a related discipline
• Master's thesis of at least 15 credits, or equivalent
• Proficient English (spoken and written)
• Reasons for wanting to be admitted (500–800 words) addressing (a) how you will approach the described work tasks and (b) how you will shape an independent research profile.

Merits


• Master’s thesis on a relevant topic for the project
• Academic publications
• Other publications on a relevant topic for the project, such as a bachelor's thesis, popular science, or reports
• Proficient Swedish (spoken and written)

Experience of…


• Qualitative methods, particularly interviews and participant observations
• Quantitative methods, particularly in combination with statistical analysis
• Sociological (e)valuation theory, or alternatively, economic sociology/anthropology or STS
• Scientific research projects
• Work in the grocery retail sector
• Work with sustainable food supply and consumption

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years) 

Salary agreement: https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/salary-and-pension/doctoral-student-salary-agreement/

Starting date:
2024-05-01, or according to agreement. 

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2024-01-29.

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.