Sweden: Postdoctoral Fellowship on Water Security and Sustainable Development in the Middle East

Nov 9, 2023 | Lund University
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The Department of Political Science and the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) announce one vacant position as a 2-year postdoctoral fellow on Water Security and Sustainable Development in the Middle East. The postdoctoral position is fully funded for 2 years and placed at the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies. 

Project Description 

The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) coordinates the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World” (MECW). The research program consists of four research themes: 1) Environment and sustainable development; 2) Security and sustainable peace; 3) Democratization, migration and sustainable socio-economic development; and 4) Religion, identity and culture. For more details about the MECW program: https://www.cmes.lu.se/middle-east-contemporary-world-mecw

The postdoctoral position aims to study water security in the Middle East and North Africa region. The region is marked by increasing environmental challenges, population growth, and changing climate patterns, and faces pressing issues related to water security, scarcity and climate change. The overarching objectives are to assess water resources and analyze diplomatic efforts to resolve transboundary water disputes to achieve sustainable resource management practices in the MENA region, particularly addressing areas at risk and potential sources of water stress. The project also aims to explore how these factors affect political and social stability in the region. The research aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular emphasis on Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. 

Main Responsibilities

 
The main responsibility for the postdoctoral fellow is to conduct research within the MECW research program in collaboration with other CMES researchers and international partners. Research tasks will include data collection of various kinds, data analysis and dissemination of results through publications in scholarly journals and conference presentations, as well as participation in outreach activates. The postdoctoral researcher should conduct innovative research on water resource management and water security in the MENA region. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. 

Qualifications Requirements 

Postdoctoral positions are primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country. 

Assessment Criteria 

The degree must have been completed before the application deadline and no more than three years prior to it. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area. 

Special consideration will be given to the scientific skills and merits of the applicant. The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies seeks candidates with a PhD in the Social Sciences, Middle Eastern Studies, Development Studies, or Environmental Sciences. Experience from previous studies of water security and management in the MENA region is a merit. The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies is particularly interested in candidates with a background in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with proficiency in data analysis software. Additional merits include a capacity to work in an international cross-disciplinary team of researchers and to communicate research findings to wider audiences beyond academia. The candidate must have excellent skills in written academic English. Excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team and independently, and to complete activities on time.

The Offer 

Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Further Information 

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow”). The starting date is at the earliest 1 January 2024 or as per agreement. 

Application 

Apply for the position in Lund University’s recruitment system Varbi. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement and that it is submitted before the 20 November 2023. 

Please include the following documents with your application:

• Cover letter
• CV: degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) 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

• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files) 
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) was established in 2007 to support, coordinate and expand on research at Lund University on the Middle East. CMES coordinates the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World” (MECW) since 2009. The Strategic Research Area includes more than thirty-five scholars from five different faculties at Lund University.

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Lund University is one of the leading education and research institutions in Sweden and operates both in Lund and Helsingborg.

The Department of Political Science combines ancient traditions with modern research and education. The department safeguards disciplinary breadth and diversity and has long been successful in competition for external research funding. Key research fields include democracy and democratisation, power and administration, diplomacy, peace and conflict, intelligence analysis, political psychology, gender, environmental policy and welfare. The strong research profile of the Department of Political Science is reflected in its teaching. The educational environment has long been strongly international.

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