Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in transforming urban foodscapes and the role empowerment, education and engagement among the young generation. Start date is expected to be 15th September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Food systems transformation is increasingly crucial in today's society, and there is a particular emphasis on the role of cities as catalysts for change. While urban environments are often associated with problems and challenges, they also offer opportunities for innovative solutions. Cities are home to creative individuals, innovative businesses, and technological advancements. Additionally, urban areas are abundant in educational institutions, making them fertile ground for change agents, particularly young individuals. Consequently, it is not surprising that the belief in the potentials of Urban Food Strategy is gaining momentum.

Food has emerged as a significant concern in urban planning, alongside other key urban planning subjects such as mobility, energy, green infrastructure, water, public health, and waste management. These issues have been at the forefront of urban planning for over a century. In the current context of climate change, pandemics, and security threats, cities must address pressing issues such as food security, food resilience, localized production, climate-friendly food production practices that prioritize plant-based foods, reduction of food waste, and increased circularity in the food supply chains.

Against this backdrop PhD project will address contemporary solutions to urban food planning to address these challenges by diving deep into the use of digital technology, policy and strategy development, and engagement, education and empowerment. The focus should be on analyzing Urban food strategy making, where food waste is considered as a representative example, while elaborating the interactions between food, individuals, and the urban environment, specifically through the lenses of food waste, food literacy, and technology.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of food science and technology or related areas with higher grade and a strong methodological background in both qualitative and quarter two approaches to data collection. The PhD project will evolve within the framework of two living labs that are organised at schools so good insight in how teachers’ pupil’s headmaster interacts as well as on the importance of school organisational culture is essential. The PhD position will run in parallel through four different EU projects that all deals with how local community and schools and young people can be evoked in the context of sustainable food systems transformation. A good understanding of how to work in international research projects is essential. Therefore, we are looking for a candidate with following qualities:

• The candidate should have experience of working in EU projects related to food system transformation.
• The candidate should have expertise in working in big consortiums and be able to collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
• The candidate should experience and insight into working as a mentor at a school level.
• The candidate should possess the skills and abilities to Living Lab and workshop methodology related to the PhD themes.
• The candidate should have the knowledge and competence for qualitative and quantitative research methods such as use of Nvivo, Quirkos, SPSS, R-studio etc.
• The candidate should have competences of utilizing digital and technological tools in training and developing tools for education (EdTech solutions).
• The candidate should possess competences of dissemination and communication of the project achievements.
• The candidate should have a good insight into project management.
• The candidate should have skills and competencies in delegating project task effectively and efficiently to project partners.
• The candidate should demonstrate the extensive knowledge of Co-creation in school settings.
• The candidate with flair for making videos, pamphlets, flyers, and posters is an advantage.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The research group is attached to the section of Landscape Architecture and Planning – Society that focuses on delivering excellent research, knowledge and methodologies that have an impact on landscape architecture and health design, naturebased solutions and natural environments, governance and planning practices, architectural history writing and community engagement all with the goal of developing more sustainable and inclusive cities and landscapes for the benefit of society and future generations.

The research group is a part of Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

• Principal supervisor is Bent Egberg Mikkelsen, Professor, Urban Food Systems Transformation, Landscape Architecture, Planning and Society, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Email: [email protected] Phone: +4535337464/25 38 43 66

The PhD programme is a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme)

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Food Science. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)
6. Non-binding Phd proposal of 2-3 pages.

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 11 June 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 26.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk