PhD Student in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 1.9 billion per year. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.Would you like to contribute to the ongoing green transition? As part of the Green Transition North project, we are looking for a PhD student to design and develop circular business models. You will be part of a strategic investment where we work together to go from words to action in the green transition.

You will join the subject Entrepreneurship and Innovation which is one of the leading research and teaching environment in Sweden, which many faculty members publish in high-impact journals. 

Subject description
Research in Entrepreneurship and Innovation comprises organizational development with a specific emphasis on firm development based on innovative products, services, production solutions, or management modes.

Project description
We are recruiting a PhD candidate who will conduct research related to our research track focusing on business model innovation, circular economy, and sustainable industry. This project aims to understand how to design and develop circular business models with an industrial ecosystem of partnerships to drive the green transition. Therefore, this project takes an innovation ecosystem perspective to analyze business models and their economic, social, and environmental value. A significant part of the research is focused on addressing business needs by mapping out challenges, proposing methods for improvement, and facilitating the implementation of the proposed methods. Examples of potential research questions are: a) How can the incentive structures be created to promote cooperation of the ecosystem actors based on circular business models? b) How to analyze and evaluate the effects of the implementation of circular business models? c) How can digital technologies be used to drive the implementation of circular business models in the green transition? Thus, the project will closely cooperate with various organizations (such as ABB, Ragn-Sells, Volvo, LKAB Minerals) and drive their growth and development.

The work is carried out as part of the Green Transition North project, which aims to promote sustainable change in northern Sweden. The project takes place in close cooperation between researchers and industry and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The main funder is the European Regional Development Fund. 

Qualifications
The general entry requirements for doctoral (third-cycle) studies are as follows: a completed degree at the Master’s (second-cycle) level with completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle credits. Alternatively, equivalent knowledge has been acquired in some other way within or outside the country. In addition to the general entry requirements, knowledge of business administration, industrial engineering, management, or equivalent subjects is required.

You should be strongly motivated for doctoral studies and have good collaboration and communication skills. It is important that you can express yourself orally and in writing in English. It is an advantage, but not crucial if you can express yourself orally and in writing in Swedish.

For further information about a specific subject see; General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%, which means that the period of employment may extend to the same extent. Salary is paid in accordance with current agreements. The position is at the Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts at the university’s campus in Luleå. We look positively on you being able to get started as soon as possible.

For further information about the position, please contact associate senior lecturer Wiebke Reim, +46 920-49 2079, reim@ltu.se

Union representatives:
SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se and OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below where you attach a personal letter reflecting on the theme of the project (about one to two A4 pages) and why you are a suitable doctoral student for this project; CV/qualifications; diploma (or certificate of result) and grades; a master thesis / essay / report or other text that you have written that demonstrates your scientific competence must be attached.

Please mark your application with the reference number below. CV and personal letter must be written in English. The diploma must be written in Swedish or English.

Reference number: 2332-2023
Last day of application: July 31, 2023