Studenship for PhD in Natural Resource Management, Sweden

Description
This project would address a key scientific issue of ecosystem service science – understanding how to manage multiple ecosystem services across landscapes. It would do this by examining the patterns of ES that are empirically found in the Nörstrom catchment (Mälar-region) of Sweden. The research project will select a set of ecosystem services that are expected to contain tradeoffs and synergies, and include both provisioning, regulating and cultural services. The services selected will be some combination of those that are important to people living in the region and for which data is available. Using the estimates of multiple ES, we will look for patterns in the patterns found among these services and test what social, ecological and geographic factors predict these patterns. This analysis may also be used to identify areas on a landscape where ecosystem management has produced exceptionally desirable or undesirable sets of ecosystem services.

Nature of position
A PhD position lasts four years and is a full time position. After acceptance of the PhD project plan prepared by the student, the student will be awarded a taxable study grant of currently 15 500 SEK/month (“utbildningsbidrag”). After 2 years, the student is expected to pass the licentiate examination. Once the requirements for the licentiate degree are fullfilled, the student vill be on a doctoral studentship (“doktorandanställning”) of currently 22 600 SEK/month. Up to 20 % teaching or other work may be included in the position, which will then be extended accordingly, at most 5 years. Salaries follow the relevant salary scale.

Eligibility
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

    theoretical knowledge of relevant to the research project,
    practical experience and knowledge of relevant to the project,
    knowledge of scientific theory and method,
    analytical ability as demonstrated by a scientific report, degree project thesis,
    the applicant's personal references and
    gender equality aspects.

The successful candidate should be enthusiastic about conducting trans-disciplinary research. Ability to read Swedish as well as experience working with ecosystem services, GIS, and quantitative analysis skills are desired.


Application Procedure
The application should contain a letter of intent (one to two pages that explain why you are interested in working on this project, why you are interested in studying for a PhD, what you hope to accomplish during your PhD studies, and what skills you can bring to this project), curriculum vitae, copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records (all attested), a list of two persons who may act as referees (with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), and one copy of your undergraduate thesis and articles, if any.
 
Submission Deadline
The full application should be labelled ‘PhD-studentship Dnr SU 40/2011' and sent as one PDF file to dnr40-2011@ecology.su.se no later than 20 November, 2011.


Website Link
Stockholm University: www.science.su.se
Stockholm University: www.su.se/english
The Department of Systems Ecology: www.ecology.su.se
The handbook for postgraduate students: www.doktorandhandboken.nu/english