Post-doctor in Environmental Governance and Public Participation

Department of Urban and Rural Development
Division of Political Science and Natural Resource Governance

Unit of Political Science

Political Science at the Department of Urban and Rural Development mainly focuses on policy and governance issues related to various environmental and sustainability challenges. This includes, for example, research on the design and implementation of policies and instruments, new forms of governance and collaboration, the actors of urban and regional planning and their importance, as well as democratic participation and legitimacy. Within the subject, research can be found in a range of policy areas, at the local as well as national levels, and includes both theory-developing and empirically oriented studies.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Duties:
This fully-funded, two-year post-doctoral position is announced within the newly established political science unit within the Department of Urban and Rural Development at the Swedish Agricultural University (SLU). The post-doctor will conduct research on the role and impact of so-called public participation professionals (that is, individuals paid to design, implement and/or facilitate participatory forums and processes) on the governance for sustainability. The research will be conducted in collaboration with researchers involved in two Formas-funded projects. The work tasks include collecting empirical data, writing academic articles, presenting at conferences and seminars, and participating in writing applications for external research funding. Teaching may be part of the duties (maximum of 20%).

What makes planners trust the citizens? Participation and trust-building for a sustainable transport system for everyone. The project aims to increase the knowledge about planners' trust in citizens, especially in citizen dialogues, and how trust-building can be promoted within planning practice. 

Read more about the project at https://www.slu.se/en/departments/urban-rural-development/research/political-science/ongoing-research/participation-and-trust-building/

Collaboration, Deliberation and Participation in Times of Post-truth Politics: The role of dialogue experts. This project aims to analyze, clarify and reformulate the ambivalent relationship between dialogue, expertise and power in the management of change work.

Read more about the project at https://www.slu.se/en/departments/urban-rural-development/research/environmental-communication/ongoing-projects/deliberation/

Qualifications:
Applicants are required to have a PhD degree within a relevant social science discipline. A doctoral exam in political science (or equivalent) is especially meriting. The degree must be obtained by the time of the employment decision. A doctoral degree not older than three year is meriting. 

Other qualifications that are meriting are documented experience with researching and working with governance issues, sustainable development and/or public participation, and independently writing peer-reviewed articles published in high-quality international journals. As fieldwork may be conducted in Sweden, good knowledge of the Swedish language is meriting. Good language skills in English are required.

Personal suitability will be emphasised.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment of 24 months.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
From March 2024, or as agreed.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-12-15, please use the button below.

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.