PhD in Environmental Science: Corruption in EU Chemical Regulation Stockholm University in Sweden

PhD position at Stockholm University in Environmental Science on corruption in EU chemical regulation. The project, Exposing and Overcoming Corruption in EU Chemical Regulation: An Interdisciplinary Approach, is conducted at the Department of Environmental Science, Unit for Exposure and Effects, and combines toxicology and law to study systemic vulnerabilities in chemical regulation, including misconduct, reporting biases, data manipulation, and failures in regulatory oversight.

The research uses a unique empirical core of 56 industry-funded developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) studies of pesticides. It includes cross-study intra-laboratory analysis, comparison of EU and USA study inventories, quantification of non-submission rates and reporting biases, and legal analysis of violations against EU legislation and OECD guidance. The project also examines stakeholder influence on regulatory protection levels and aims to produce freely available data analysis tools, legal recommendations, and enforcement strategies.

Funding: The project is funded by FORMAS. The doctoral employment is fixed-term for up to four years full-time, with possible duties in teaching, research, and administration up to 20%.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet Stockholm University’s doctoral entry requirements, including a second-cycle degree and specific natural science credits in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, or Meteorology. Strong English skills, analytical ability, independence, collaboration, and interest in interdisciplinary research are important; experience in law/criminology, public administration, statistics, risk assessment, or chemical regulation is advantageous.

Deadline: 23 August 2026. Apply via Stockholm University’s recruitment system and submit a personal letter, CV, and required attachments.