PhD student: Geography, Stockholm University, Sweden

at the Department of Human Geography. Closing date: 1 June 2023.

The Department of Human Geography announces one vacant position in the doctoral program. The PhD student will be a part of the Population geography research group with an orientation towards Population Geography, Migration and GIS and an interest in residential mobility, segregation, neighborhood studies, housing studies, or migration. The Ph.D. position is fully funded for 4 years and positioned at the Department of Human Geography.

The Department of Human Geography is a dynamic department at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University. The Department aims to be nationally leading and internationally prominent within its field of research and education. Stockholm University is a key European university in the human and natural sciences, and is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. It was founded in 1878 and since its inception, close contact with the wider world and active exchange of knowledge and experience have been integral to this vision. Currently, the university has 33,000 students, 1,600 doctoral students, and 5,500 members of staff. Stockholm is one of the world’s most dynamic capitals and is characterized by openness, innovation and collaboration.

Subject area
Population geography research group

The Population geography research group has an orientation towards residential mobility, segregation, neighborhood studies, housing studies, and migration.

• Residential mobility is the study of how and why people move between different places of residence, and the consequences of these movements for individuals and communities. This field explores the factors that drive people to move, such as changes in work, family, or housing circumstances, and how these movements impact the social, economic, and cultural fabric of communities.
• Segregation is the study of how social groups are separated from one another in space, and the effects of these spatial divisions on opportunity structures and social inequality. This field examines aspects that lead to the formation of segregation, such as socio-economic, ethnic and demographic aspects, and the consequences of segregation for access to resources and opportunities, social capital, and community cohesion. This research also includes studies of policy measures and strategies to reduce segregation and promote housing equality.
• Neighborhood Studies is the study of the physical, social, and cultural characteristics of urban neighborhoods, and how these characteristics shape the experiences and opportunities of their residents. This field explores the processes that contribute to the formation of different types of neighborhoods, such as gentrification, urban renewal, and community development, as well as residential mobility.
• Housing Studies analyses the provision, distribution, and quality of housing, and the social, economic, and political factors that shape these conditions. This field examines the factors that contribute to housing inequality, such as housing policies and practices, and the impacts of these conditions on individual and community well-being.
• Migration is the study of how people move between different places, and the factors that drive these movements. This field explores the impacts of migration on the individuals and communities involved, including the social, economic, and cultural effects of migration on origin and destination communities.

We invite applications from candidates wanting to conduct high-quality research in one or several of the above areas. The ideal candidate will have a background in one or more of these areas, and an interest in exploring the complex social, economic, and political factors that shape the spatial distribution of populations and the quality of housing and neighborhoods. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own research project within this broad field of study, with the potential to use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approaches. You will work collaboratively with other researchers in our team to address pressing questions related to residential mobility, segregation, gentrification, urban inequalities, housing policy, or migration.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

For specific entry requirements, It is required that you have read at least 90 credits in human geography or have another relevant background for the program. The language of supervision and seminars is either Swedish or English. Very good knowledge in Swedish or English is therefore required. For more information here.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

1. the scientific ability that the applicant has demonstrated in essay work from the bachelor and master level, as well as in the preliminary research plan
2. independence in analysis and approach in previous work
3. problem formulation and rigor in previous work and research plan
4. previously demonstrated ability to keep to given time frames
5. methodological and scientific maturity
6. communication and collaboration skills
7. the applicant’s prior academic knowledge in relation to residential mobility, segregation, neighbourhood studies, housing studies, and/or migration.
8. the applicant’s ability to contribute to and benefit from the research environment at the Department of Human Geography and the Population geography research group.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.

Terms of employment:
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

The position is fully funded and the student will receive a salary.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information from the Director of Graduate Studies Dominic Power, dominic.power@su.se, or the Head of Department, marianne.abramsson@humangeo.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Project proposal/Research proposal describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 files).
• Evidence of competence in English. This criterion does not apply for students who have completed their education at a Swedish university, where English proficiency is a general eligibility requirement. You can read more about the English requirements at Stockholm University here: English requirements.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

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