Two PhD candidates to the Division of Science, Technology and Society
Reference number REF 2024-0476
The Division of Science,Technology and Society (STS) at Chalmers University of Technology is a young and vibrant research and teaching environment with excellent international networks and collaborations. It is particularly strong in the history of science and technology, science and technology studies, gender studies, and environmental humanities. Public outreach and the production of policy-relevant insights are an important part of its mission. We are now looking for two PhD candidates to join our division!
About the positions
PhD position in Energy and Environmental History:
The PhD candidate will work in a cross-disciplinary setting to consider the possible future role of hydrogen in the Swedish energy system from a historical perspective.The position is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency through the programme Research School Energy Systems and within the framework of the position you participate in the Research School Energy Systems' activities (read more at foes.se). The project also aligns with the division's new research program on infrastructures in the modern and contemporary world. The research will take place in close collaboration with a PhD student and supervision team with engineering backgrounds at Linköping University, including co-writing articles and participating in common supervision meetings and workshops. Applicants are invited to propose their own research project within this framework focusing on hydrogen. Possible topics to be studied could include: historical infrastructure development and use, historical attempts to introduce new energy technologies into an existing system, visions and expectations of a future energy system, user acceptance and resistance to new energy technology, social, spacial, sustainability and justice aspects of new energy technology introduction. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their choice topics with Anna Åberg, the project's main supervisor.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position you must:
- Have completed a Master's degree by the start date (including a minimum of 90 ECTS credits or equivalent).Your degree may be in Environmental History, History, History of Ideas, History of Science and Technology, Science and Technology Studies, Sociology, Gender studies, or Cultural Studies, but other humanities and social sciences degrees may also be relevant.
Previous work in cross-disciplinary fields such as environmental STS and energy humanities is meritorious.
The position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and comprehensive knowledge of Swedish. The applicant needs to have enough knowledge of Swedish from the start of the position to read and analyse Swedish source material. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.
PhD position in History of Technology:
The PhD project will be part of the division's new research program on infrastructures in the modern and contemporary world. Infrastructure is broadly understood as the material and immaterial systems needed to operate a society or enterprise. Applicants are invited to propose their own research project within this openly defined program. Possible topics include: historical case studies of transport, urban or digital infrastructures, critical infrastructures, dismantling of infrastructures, infrastructural transitions, maintenance of infrastructures, or political economy of infrastructures. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the choice topics with Professor Per Lundin, the project's main supervisor.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position you must:
- Have completed a Master's degree by the start date. The degree must include a minimum of 90 ECTS credits (or equivalent) in Economic History, History, History of Ideas, History of Science and Technology or other relevant fields such as Science and Technology Studies, Sociology, or Political Science.
Meritorious qualifications include a Master's thesis on a historically themed topic and experience working with qualitative methods.
The position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and comprehensive knowledge of Swedish. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.
Major responsibilities as as doctoral student at Chalmers
Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.
Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.
Preferred starting date for both positions: 1 January 2025
Reaad more about the division and the department
The Division of Science, Technology and Society (STS)
The Department of Technology Management and Economics
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
The application should be marked with reference number 20240477 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
When you submit your application, you will be asked to indicate whether you are interested in both positions or only one of them.
CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, reference number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.
Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, ref.number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus
Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.
Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.
Application deadline: 18 October 2024
For questions, please contact:
PhD position in Energy and Environmental History:
Anna Åberg, Senior Reseracher in the History of Technology, STS
Francis Lee, Head of Unit, STS
PhD position in History of Technology:
Per Lundin, Professor in History of Technology, STS
Francis Lee, Head of Unit, STS
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
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