PhD student in tourism studies focus on visitor management in nature areas

The department conducts research and education in the subjects: business administration, law, economics, statistics, geography and tourism studies.



The Department of Economics, Geography, Law, and Tourism (EJT) at Mid-Sweden University is pleased to announce a PhD position in tourism studies which is part of the doctoral network “Visitor monitoring and management in protected and recreational areas: new challenges, novel solutions for the Anthropocene – VIMAS”, funded through the EU Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action.

The VIMAS project will (i) develop new, effective visitor monitoring combining digital and traditional methods, (ii) explore how better visitor monitoring contributes to increase social and economic benefits and reduce unwanted environmental impacts, and (iii) develop new, multidimensional governance-relevant indicators, based on collaborative and participatory principles. The consortium consists of seven partner universities in six European countries, together with 14 academic and non-academic associated partners. A total of 10 doctoral candidates will be engaged in the project. More information about VIMAS and the PhD positions: http://www.nmbu.no/en/research/projects/vimas

The following position within the VIMAS network is now open at Mid-Sweden University, the Department of Economics, Geography, Law, and Tourism (EJT):

Collaborative governance solutions and management regimes through improved visitor monitoring. The candidate will investigate how the application and design of collaborative and participatory approaches through new monitoring techniques affects policy, planning and visitor management. Central is how the interaction between the application of new smart monitoring techniques and beliefs of different stakeholders affects the preconditions for effective and legitimate solutions. The underlying assumption is that effective governance is the result of dynamic interactions between different stakeholders, involving academia as well as civil society, authorities, and the public.


Job description

The successful applicant is expected to complete the research and coursework associated with the PhD program in tourism studies. These may also include administrative tasks, teaching and other duties up to 20%.



Entry requirements

General entry requirements include a second-cycle level qualification, or fulfilment of courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or the equivalent knowledge gained in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Applicants must have at least 90 university credits in the areas of tourism studies, human geography, business administration, or must demonstrate equivalent qualifications to be accepted to the PhD program in Tourism Studies. A high level of competence in English (oral and written) is required. Mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., work, studies) in the country of the recruiting university for more than 12 months in the last 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.


Assessment criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

- Demonstrated interest and capacity in the field of the position described above
- Scientific, analytical, and communicative skills
- Knowledge and abilities that indicate readiness to conduct research at the PhD level


Personal qualities

The candidate should (i) be a good team player with high capability to work independently with dedication, (ii) be highly motivated and show enthusiasm towards the PhD project, and (iii) be prepared to spend short periods of secondments with VIMAS partner institutes.


Other assessment criteria

Candidates with a solid understanding and ability to use a Scandinavian language will be regarded favourably.

 

Employment process

Processing of the appointment will comply with the provisions in Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance, and will be carried out in accordance with Mid Sweden University’s Employment Procedures . 


Terms of employment

The doctoral studentship position corresponds to four years of full-time studies and is expected to lead to a Degree of Doctor. The entry date is 01-03-2024 or as agreed.

Initial doctoral student positions are valid for a maximum of one year, after which the position may be renewed by no longer than two years at a time. Provisions regarding doctoral studentship employment can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Place of employment: Östersund Campus, Mid Sweden University. It is expected that the candidates will be physically present on-site in Östersund.

Salary: In accordance with Mid Sweden University’s salary scale for doctoral students.  


Information

For more detailed information contact Peter Fredman, Professor, mailto:peter.fredman@miun.se, Daniel Laven, Associate Professor, Head of Department, Tel: (+46) 010 142 8620, Email: mailto:daniel.laven@miun.se.

 

Application

Applicants are required to submit the following: 

- Curriculum Vitae;
- Copies of certificates and diplomas;
- A personal letter in which the applicant introduces their interest in the position (1 page maximum);
- A written proposal outlining a direction of the research the applicant would like to undertake (3 pages maximum incl. references);
- A copy of the applicant’s Master's thesis;
- The names and contact information of three references;
- Other material the applicant deems necessary to support their application.

Welcome to apply through our recruitment tool no later than 31 December 2023. Application documents must be submitted using Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English language.