Postdoc Business adm with emphasis on urban freight and logistics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 49 000 students and 6 400 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The post doc position is part of the Urban Freight Platform (UFP) of University of Gothenburg (UGOT) and Chalmers University of Technology, supported by Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF). The post is also part of the universities’ co-operation in the Strategic Research Area Transport.

Subject area
Business administration, Specialising in urban logistics

Specific subject description
Despite many innovations for improved urban logistics, applications often remain at a small scale and are not transferred between cities. Policies on urban logistics should reflect the views of citizens but there is a lack of knowledge of what people who live and work in cities really think about urban logistics and how problems can be avoided through greater stakeholder engagement at an earlier stage in the planning processes. This is particularly important when cities are growing rapidly with many and simultaneous regeneration projects.

Urban logistics initiatives often address a single theme and are founded on a rather limited business case. There is a need to combine better understanding of the business needs of private companies with the city authority needs to make cities more liveable. Research on the importance of a more sophisticated mix of policies and innovation projects is required. The post-doctoral fellow is expected to carry out research improving the understanding of how to match public goals for sustainable urban logistics with the business needs of transport operators and the customers they serve.

Job assignments
The candidate is expected to engage in on-going applied projects and co-publishing with staff at UGOT and at other universities connected to the UFP. The research is also expected to be performed in close cooperation with industry and public sector organisations. Up to 20% of the time can be devoted to teaching.

Eligibility
A completed doctoral degree in a relevant area for the position is compulsory for a postdoctoral position at UGOT. We aim for those who have a doctoral degree not older than 3 years counting from last date of application.

Assessment
Research potential in relation to the subject description will be assigned particular weight in the assessment of applicants. A high level of English communication and writing skills is important. Working in applied projects with research institutes, municipalities and commercial actors is required and familiarity with qualitative methods including the use of interviews, observations, participation and workshops is a merit. Proficiency in Swedish is not a requirement but seen very positively as much documentation is in Swedish and the applied projects use Swedish as the working language. The applicant’s ability to cooperate and overall personal suitability will be given thorough attention.

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Appointment
This position is a fixed term employment 100 % for two years, in accordance with university agreement Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor (2008-09-01). The position may be extended on special grounds, i.e. sick leave, parental leave, clinical duties, elected positions in trade unions or other similar circumstances (Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the UGOT, Ref nr 2018/1166). The postdoc position, starting 1st of February 2021 or as agreed, will be located at the Department of Business Administration, Vasagatan 1 in central Gothenburg.

How to apply
In order to apply for a position at the UGOT, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

The application have to be submitted electronically in the online recruitment system no later than 15th of January 2021.

The application should include:


• Cover letter
• CV
• Copies of degree certificates, grade transcripts or other certificates
• A letter of intent in which the applicant describes how he/she would approach the research assignment if hired for the position
• An account of scholarly/research qualifications, including a description of prior scholarly/research activities and contributions. The scholarly works should be attached under Other attachments (maximum 10 attachments)
• References (minimum 2), including their names, title, contact information and current position

 

For further information, please contact:

Michael Browne, Professor, +46 31 786 6798, michael.browne@handels.gu.se

Johan Woxenius, Professor, +46 31 786 1453, johan.woxenius@gu.se

Unions
For information regarding union representatives at the UGOT: http://www.gu.se/omuniversitetet/aktuellt/lediga-jobb/fackliga-kontaktpersoner

The UGOT promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity

Salary is determined on an individual basis


In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.