Doctoral Student in Risk and Environmental Studies
Karlstad University invites applications for a fully funded doctoral studentship in Risk and Environmental Studies, located within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies. The programme is highly interdisciplinary, integrating perspectives from social sciences, humanities, medicine, and natural sciences, with a primary grounding in environmental science, injury prevention, and disaster risk management. Research in this area applies a sustainability perspective to address current and future environmental challenges, focusing on individual and societal vulnerability, resilience, and the management of climate-related risks.
The doctoral programme is closely connected to two leading research centres: the Centre for Societal Risk Research (CSR) and the Centre for Research on Sustainable Societal Transformation (CRS). These centres foster collaboration and provide a vibrant research environment for doctoral students, who currently number eleven within the subject. The university is committed to promoting sustainable development and maintains strong ties with the wider community in Värmland, Sweden.
As a doctoral student, you will primarily focus on your own research and coursework, culminating in an original thesis project that advances the theoretical foundations of risk and environmental studies. The position offers significant autonomy and flexibility, with opportunities to engage in teaching and administrative duties (up to 20% of full-time) if desired. The appointment is for four years of full-time study, with possible extensions for departmental duties, and is compensated with a salary that progresses according to a local collective agreement.
Entry requirements include a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, with at least 240 credits (60 at the second-cycle level). Applicants must submit a research plan (3–5 pages) outlining their proposed thesis specialisation, demonstrating connections to the programme’s core themes: injury prevention, environmental science, and disaster risk management. High proficiency in spoken and written English is required, and proficiency in Swedish is considered valuable; non-Swedish speakers are expected to acquire the language within two years. Assessment will consider previous academic performance, quality of independent written work, research plan relevance, and personal qualities such as independence, persistence, and teamwork skills.
Applications should be submitted via the university’s Varbi recruitment tool, including all required documents: cover letter, CV, degree certificates, transcripts, research plan, references, and any supporting publications. International applicants must provide official documentation and a contact for degree verification. The application deadline is January 13, 2026, and the anticipated start date is August 2026. For further information, visit the university’s doctoral studies page or contact Professor Eva Svensson.
Karlstad University is recognised for its commitment to gender equality, diversity, and democratic values, and has received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award for its stimulating work environment and transparent recruitment practices. The university encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and looks forward to welcoming a new doctoral student to its dynamic research community.
