PhD student in landscape governance and management

Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management

Research education subject:

Landscape Architecture

Description of the doctoral project:

Governance and organizational adaptation related to the operation and maintenance of urban drainage infrastructures

Stormwater transports a wide spectrum of pollutants from urban environments to recipients, which poses significant challenges for the protection of surface water and coastal ecosystems. Urban sewage infrastructure, such as swales and stormwater ponds, plays a crucial role by capturing and retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, the function of the infrastructure depends on effective operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite great spatial and temporal variation in sediment accumulation and vegetation development. This doctoral project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at enabling a transition to more data-driven and environmentally responsible maintenance of the city's drainage infrastructure. The overall goal is to reduce the pollution load on coastal and marine environments while supporting sustainable urban water management.

The doctoral project will focus on identifying strategies for coherent long-term organizational structures and assessing how stakeholder discourses, regulations, and resources shape the feasibility of different operation and maintenance systems defined within the overall project. This includes a governance-oriented assessment of the feasibility of the various operation and maintenance systems, and the identification of adaptation strategies, based on legal and political frameworks as well as economic frameworks also identified by the project's partners. The theory of 'programmatic alignment', long-term strategic management, and perspectives of nature-based thinking (the organizational, ecological, and social dependencies) will be applied as a basis for the analysis. Based on this, the organizational and governance aspects of long-term maintenance of urban drainage infrastructure will be described, as well as the governance challenges and obstacles that affect the possibilities of achieving healthy coastal environments.

Within the project, the doctoral student will collaborate with stakeholders in both the water and sewage sector and the green sector. The doctoral student will communicate the results to both industry and international researchers.

Tasks:

As a doctoral student, you will perform both empirical and theoretical work. You will learn to collect and analyze data within your research area and communicate your research results at national and international conferences and in scientific publications. Most 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.

Eligibility:

Basic eligibility is granted to those who have completed a degree at an advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 hp, of which at least 60 hp are at an advanced level, or who have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country (the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Special eligibility to be admitted to the doctoral program in the subject Landscape Architecture is granted to those who have knowledge equivalent to at least 90 higher education credits in relevant subjects. This must include independent work. At least 30 higher education credits must be at an advanced level.

Additionally, you are required to have knowledge in English corresponding to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school.

Your background:

Necessary qualifications

• A master's degree (or equivalent) in natural resource engineering, civil engineering (water and roads), 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 master new research areas

Desirable qualifications

• Good communication skills in Swedish or another Scandinavian language, both written and oral
• Possession of a valid driver's license for a car in Sweden

About us:

The subject group Landscape governance and management has a strong position in research and education regarding 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 the sustainability, use, and relevance of outdoor environments, often within applied development and in innovation-driven contexts.

Read more about our benefits and what it is 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/.

Terms of employment and salary:

Employment as a doctoral student (4 years of education).

The salary for the doctoral student employment follows a local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

Extent:

100%

Location:

Alnarp

Start date:

1 February 2027 or as soon as possible.

Application and selection:

Welcome with your application via the application button below no later than 2026-11-16.

Read carefully more about the attachments that your application must 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 included in the application, and shall be made with regard to the ability to complete the education within the specified time.

Union contact persons

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

Please note: This is a shortened advertisement to be adapted to Platsbanken's advertising system. See the full advertisement on SLU's website: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/lediga-jobb/