PhD Student in Landscape Governance and Management

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet · Full-time

Alnarp, Sweden

Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management Doctoral Program Area: Landscape Architecture Description of the PhD Project: Governance and organizational adaptation related to the operation and maintenance of urban drainage infrastructures Stormwater transports a broad spectrum of pollutants from urban environments to receiving waters, presenting major challenges for the protection of surface water and coastal ecosystems. Urban wastewater infrastructure, such as swales and stormwater detention ponds, play a crucial role in capturing and retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, the infrastructure's functionality depends on effective operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite significant spatial and temporal variation in sediment accumulation and vegetation development. This PhD project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at enabling a transition toward more data-driven and environmentally responsible maintenance of urban drainage infrastructure. The overarching goal is to reduce pollution loads on coastal and marine environments while supporting sustainable urban water management. The PhD project will focus on identifying strategies for coherent long-term organizational structures and assessing how stakeholder discourses, regulations, and resources shape the feasibility of various operation and maintenance systems defined within the broader project. This includes a governance-focused assessment of the feasibility of the various operation and maintenance systems, and identification of adaptation strategies, based on legal and political frameworks as well as economic frameworks also identified by the project's collaboration partners. The theory of 'programmatic alignment', long-term strategic management, and perspectives of nature-based thinking (the organizational, ecological and social interdependencies) will be applied as the foundation for the analysis. Based on this, organizational and governance aspects of long-term maintenance of urban drainage infrastructure will be described, as well as the governance challenges and barriers that affect the possibilities of achieving healthy coastal environments. Within the project, the doctoral student will collaborate with stakeholders from both the water and wastewater sector and the green sector. The doctoral student will communicate results to both industry and international researchers. Work Tasks: As a doctoral student, you will perform both empirical and theoretical work. You will learn to collect and analyze data within your research field and communicate your research results at national and international conferences and in scientific publications. The majority of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies, including both research and coursework. Additionally, you will also perform institutional tasks, such as teaching and/or assisting in other research projects. You will have two or three supervisors supporting you in your work. Qualifications: Basic eligibility is held by those who have completed a degree at advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or who in some other way within or outside the country have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39). Special eligibility for admission to doctoral studies in Landscape Architecture is held by those who have knowledge equivalent to at least 90 higher education credits in relevant subjects. This should include an independent work. At least 30 higher education credits must be at advanced level. Furthermore, you must have knowledge of English equivalent to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school. Your Background: Required Qualifications A master's degree (or equivalent) in natural resource engineering, civil and water engineering, landscape architecture (planning/management), organizational/governance theory, or a related field Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral Ability to work independently and take initiative Ability to take on new research areas Desired Qualifications Good communication skills in Swedish or another Scandinavian language, both written and oral Possession of a valid driver's license for cars in Sweden About Us: The research group in Landscape Governance and Management has a strong position in research and education about urban landscapes and their management, including urban water systems, primarily stormwater. The group consists of approximately 15 members and the group's overall goal is to contribute to how governance and management can be developed to support sustainability, use and relevance of outdoor environments, often within applied development and in innovation-driven contexts. Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ Read more about SLU's doctoral education at http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/. Employment Type and Salary: Employment as a doctoral student (4-year education). The salary for the doctoral student position follows local collective agreement with fixed salary steps. Scope: 100% Location: Alnarp Start Date: 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible. Application and Selection: Welcome to submit your application via the application button below no later than 2026-11-16. Read more carefully about the attachments your application should contain at https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/ Selection among eligible applicants is based on the attachments submitted in the application and should be made with consideration to the ability to complete the education within the specified time. Trade Union Contact Persons https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/ Please note: This is an abbreviated announcement to fit the Platsbankens advertising system. See the full announcement on SLU's website: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/lediga-jobb/