Postdoc in Analysis of policy instruments for sustainable food consumption

This post-doc position will allow making key contributions regarding the design of and acceptance for sustainable consumption policies, with a particular focus on policies for healthy and sustainable food habits. It is a 2-year position with opportunity for a 1-year extension. The position is at a well renowned multi-disciplinary research division at Chalmers university of technology in Gothenburg.

Information about the research
Current consumption patterns in high- and middle-income countries are largely unsustainable and there is a large deficit of policy instruments aimed at stimulating more sustainable consumption patterns. This research project focuses primarily on potential policies for sustainable food consumption, mainly differentiated taxes based on indicators of health and environmental impacts of different food categories. Another area that will be analyzed in the project is policies for more sustainable long-distance travel (aviation-train). One important reason for the existing policy deficit is the lack of public support for implementing new policies in this area. This project will analyze how different policy designs affect public attitudes, e.g. if and how acceptance differs between policies focusing on one or two specific outcomes (e.g. climate impact and/or health).

This project is part of the Mistra Sustainable Consumption programme, as well as a project financed by Vinnova. The position involves working in an interdisciplinary environment with researchers from different Swedish universities. The post doc will be placed at the division of Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers university of technology. The research and education at the division concerns potential solutions to major environmental challenges, e.g. global warming and sustainable land use. The division focuses on research in the field of technical and socio-economic systems addressing the challenges involved in the transition into a sustainable and low carbon society for a growing population, where a range of different quantitative and qualitative methods can be applied on our research topics. The ambition is to build challenge-driven scientific excellence by crossing traditional boundaries and increase the level of multi-disciplinarity in research. The division has around 50 staff members, faculty and PhD-students with diverse expertise, including engineers, natural and social scientists.

Major responsibilities
The project will be carried out by the post doc in close collaboration with Jörgen Larsson and Jonas Nässén (both associate professors at Chalmers university of technology), Simon Matti (professor of political science at Luleå university of technology) and Liselotte Schäfer Elinder (adjunct professor of Public Health Sciences at Karolinska Institutet).

The main focus concerns analysis of the public support for various forms of policy designs. The post doc will work with developing the research design, analyzing results and writing scientific articles. The work will include survey development in collaboration with panel data suppliers and the use of specific software for surveys and quantitative analyses.

The project will also include analyses of other aspects of policy instruments, e.g. potential economic impacts on different consumer groups as well as for the food and agricultural sector. The project will primarily use quantitative methods, but qualitative methods will also be needed, e.g. interviews with experts and workshops with project partners like industry representatives and governmental representatives (the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Swedish Food Agency).

Besides research, the position also includes teaching responsibilities of approximately 10%.

Qualifications
The position is open to candidates with a PhD in social science (e.g. political science or economics) or environmental/sustainability sciences with a focus on policy analysis, quantitative methods and/or sustainable food consumption. Excellence in English is mandatory and knowledge in Swedish is a merit. You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for 2-3 years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
Learn more and apply on: https://www.chalmers.se/sv/om-chalmers/Arbeta-pa-Chalmers/lediga-tjanster/Sidor/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10195&rmlang=SE

Application deadline: 1 March 2022. 



*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!