Postdoc: Narratives on environmental change in the High Arctic

The Department of Ecology combines research in basic ecology with applied research in nature conservation, wildlife management, forestry and crop protection. Much of its research is interdisciplinary, and increasingly concerns collaboration with social scientists from the Department of Urban and Rural Development. Environmental monitoring, communication and management are key responsibilities and research areas of both departments and the wider University. The current post will capitalise on this capacity and extends its relevance to environmental change in the High Arctic.

Project description:
People living, working in and exploring parts of the Arctic develop environmental understanding that is multifaceted, complex, and relational. However, compared with scientific monitoring, such knowledge is rarely utilised. Monitoring programmes that capture environmental change are important and receive well-earned attention, but such initiatives typically focus highly specific parameters and mostly cover relatively short periods of time. In order to generate holistic knowledge that is better equipped at informing agency in Arctic areas subject to rapid environmental change, there is a need to systematically map and listen to peoples’ narratives about change in the High Arctic. This PostDoc opportunity is part of a Belmont Arctic Resilience-funded international project, named SVALUR, with partners from the USA, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. SVALUR aims at advancing resilience building and adaptation in one geopolitical region of the High Arctic – Svalbard, by complementing current environmental monitoring programmes with mapping the lived experiences of environmental change through narrative and qualitative approaches.  

Expectations:
The Postdoctoral researcher will take the lead in developing methods and capturing detailed understanding of environmental change experienced by people living, working and/or exploring different parts of Svalbard through e.g. in-depth interviews, story-telling, document analysis and web-based story mapping. These findings will allow the candidate to document and provide valuable, holistic insights into long-term environmental change whilst at the same time pinpointing how current monitoring programmes can become more sensitive to people’s lived experiences and optimize their relevance to people living in and visiting the Arctic. The work will provide the successful candidate with an ideal opportunity to develop inter- and transdisciplinary research capacity in the context of environmental resilience. The position will require periods of field work on Svalbard. The Postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with scholars at SLU’s Division of Environmental communication and at the Stockholm Environment Institute.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a highly motivated applicant who holds a PhD degree, or will have set a defence date by the closing date of this post, in the social sciences, political science, humanities or other relevant interdisciplinary field of research. Familiarity with environmental science and/or environmental monitoring is an advantage. Experience with narrative analysis, interviewing, qualitative data analysis and ability to conceptualise are required, as are good communication (written and spoken) in English. Being able to speak and read a Scandinavian language is an advantage. Good interpersonal skills, creativity, good teamwork, independence, strong work ethic and cultural sensitivity are valued. Selection of qualified applicants will be based on the written application (in English) including a curriculum vitae and personal references; selected candidates will be subject to an interview. Preference will be given to candidates who have been awarded their PhD degree no more than three years before the application deadline. The application should be prepared in English and include a description (up to one A4) why you apply for the project. Please include the names and contact details of three referees in your application.

Place of work:
SLU Uppsala, Sweden

Type of Employment:
Fixed term employment of 24 months.

Percentage of Employment:
100%

Starting Date:
By agreement, the position is immediately available.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-05-08.

 

Union representatives:  

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/