PhD student position in Agricultural and Food Economics

Department of Economics
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class university in the fields of life and environmental sciences, with a vision to play a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Within this framework, the Department of Economics provides an important platform for research and teaching in Economics and Business. The teaching activities are centered around educational programmes at Bachelor and Master level. The research departs from four thematic fields, where agricultural and food economics is one.

The Department of Economics invites applications for a PhD student to join its research group “Agricultural and Food Economics”. In this group, the successful candidate will find a stimulating context with colleagues who focus on various aspects of agricultural and food economics, including production economics, consumer economics, agricultural and food policy, and trade. The topics of interest add to the literature in agricultural economics and related fields. We have vivid disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborations, for instance with researchers in crop production, technology, animal health and veterinary epidemiology. The group consists of about 20 staff-members, including several PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, senior researchers, research assistants, a senior lecturer and a professor.

Agricultural and Food Economics - the food supply chain organization
Economics
Description:
The field of research is agricultural and food economics. This particular position will focus on the food supply chain organisation and market power in the food value chain, and how this links to efforts to transition towards sustainability.

As a PhD student in economics, you will carry out supervised research leading to a PhD thesis and take PhD courses (90 credits). 

This PhD position is part of the research programme Mistra Food Futures the largest research programme on sustainable and resilient food systems in Sweden. The programme’s vision is to be an established science-based knowledge platform, which actively works to encourage a transformation of the Swedish food system, taking a global perspective, into one that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, resilient and that delivers healthy diets. The programme is a collaboration between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, together other with other universities and partners from the Swedish food value chain, authorities and regions. As one of more than ten PhD students in Mistra Food Futures, you will be an active member in the Mistra Food Futures' Academy, an inter- and transdisciplinary academy aimed at training the next generation of food system researchers.

The PhD project will be carried out as a collaborative project in Mistra Food Futures: https://mistrafoodfutures.se/sv/ 

Qualifications:
Basic eligibility for third cycle education in Economics. Applicants are expected to be knowledgeable of research methods in Agricultural and Food Economics or related fields. The position requires very good communication skills in English. The successful applicant should be strongly motivated to work with tasks outlined above, she/he is expected to establish own initiatives to move the PhD project forward and to work well in a team. Advanced knowledge related to statistical analyses will be considered of merit, as will an understanding about the Swedish food system. Personal merits will play a significant role in the recruitment.

Place of work:      
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment as PhD student, 4 years.

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2024-05-31.

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/application-admission-doctoral-studies/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.