Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor* of Environmental Communication

The Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences 
The Department of Urban and Rural Development
The Department of Urban and Rural Development at SLU offers a strong social science research environment in the subjects of environmental communication, rural development, landscape architecture and agrarian history.

At the Division of Environmental Communication, we investigate communication aspects of environmental and sustainability issues. We consider communication as the joint construction of meaning rather than as the transmission of information, and conduct primarily qualitative social science research concerned with themes such as participation, power, conflict and learning in decision-making and change processes, drawing on communication theoretical, sociological and political science perspectives. Our research spans a wide range of contexts such as nature conservation, forestry, food production, climate change, game management, mining and the built environment.

An important objective of our work is to contribute to processes of sustainability transformation, both in Sweden and at a global level. The position offers access to SLU’s vibrant and attractive research environment, with a unique breadth and opportunities for multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from other social science and humanities backgrounds, including economics, as well as research groups in natural sciences and engineering.

Our education in environmental communication provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills that enable them to understand, deal with and coordinate communication in change processes related to sustainable development and environmental management. Theoretical and practical components of courses are interwoven in teaching activities including experience-based workshops, case study investigations, group projects and reflective assignments.

We are looking for a senior lecturer to further strengthen the division’s profile in both research and education in one or several of the areas mentioned above, and to contribute to the development of the existing subject area.

Subject area:

The subject area addresses communication in environmental and sustainability-related contexts with a focus on communication as the co-construction of meaning, including both constitutive and instrumental perspectives on the role of communication in society.

Duties

The successful candidate will:


• initiate, develop and lead successful research in the subject area
• develop and lead teaching at undergraduate, master and doctorate levels
• supervise PhD students
• develop and maintain national and international networks and collaboration with other academics, industry and other societal actors
• pro-actively apply for external research funding
• communicate and disseminate research and research findings
• contribute to the development of inter- and transdisciplinary perspectives in research and education
• be able to communicate in Swedish within four years. 

Qualifications


The successful candidate will:


• hold a PhD
• have demonstrated research expertise within the subject area
• have demonstrated teaching skills and have participated in pedagogical training for higher education equivalent to at least 10 weeks of full-time studies (or acquired equivalent knowledge through other means)
• have a proven ability to express themselves well in both written and spoken English. 

Assessment criteria


The assessment of applicants will primarily be based on the degree to which they possess the skills required for the position.

The assessment of scientific skills will consider the applicant’s:


• current and previous research
• ability to independently initiate and lead excellent research
• ability to attract external research funding.

The assessment of teaching skills will consider the applicant’s:


• experience of planning, conducting and evaluating teaching
• experience of supervision and examination of PhD students
• ability to integrate research and scientific perspectives in teaching.

The overall assessment will also consider the applicant’s degree of skill in:


• communication and collaboration
• developing and managing activities and staff at the university
• interacting with relevant stakeholders
• dissemination of information on research and development projects.

As much attention shall be given to the assessment of pedagogic skills as to the assessment of scientific skills.

This position offers the vibrant research climate at SLU. The benefits of the position include Swedish family health care provisions, parenting support including generous paid leave of absence policies that allow both parents to care for newborns and toddlers. Additionally Sweden has a well-established pre-school structure as well as an educational system that provides no-cost education through university studies. Find out more facts and stories about Sweden at www.sweden.se

Located in the greater Stockholm region, the city of Uppsala has a rich history and culture, and is a true academic and cultural hub. Find out more about moving, living and working here at https://internationalhub.uppsala.se/

Application deadline
2022-02-18

Place of work
Uppsala, Sweden

Extent
100%

Form of employment
Permanent employment

Starting date
By agreement

Application:
Use the document Application guidelines for appointment as professor, senior lecturer or associate senior lecturer at SLU as guide when you fill in your application.

Please apply by clicking the apply-button below.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.