PhD in Organization Studies on Degrowth, Business, and Craft-Based Organization at Malmö University Malmö University in Sweden

Malmö University is advertising a PhD position in Organization Studies within a Formas-funded project on degrowth, business, and craft-based organization. The project explores alternatives to the economic growth paradigm and examines how craft-oriented organizations organize their work, what norms and values shape them, and how they handle tensions with growth-oriented business ideals.

The position is based at the Department of Urban Studies, Faculty of Culture and Society, Malmö University. The doctoral student will be part of the research environment in Organization Studies and will work closely with project leader Jens Rennstam and project participant Alexander Paulsson, alongside junior and senior researchers. The project is qualitative and expects the doctoral student to develop an independent dissertation project aligned with the broader research theme.

Study area / keywords: organization studies, management, business, sociology, degrowth, postgrowth, sustainability, qualitative research, craft-based organization.

Eligibility highlights: applicants need a second-cycle degree or equivalent, relevant advanced-level knowledge in organization studies or a related field, very good English, and documented experience in collecting and analyzing qualitative data. A thesis/degree project of at least 15 ECTS is required, and good Swedish is an advantage but not mandatory.

Funding: this is a paid doctoral employment, not a scholarship. The appointment is for four years of full-time doctoral study leading to a PhD, with limited additional duties allowed under Swedish rules.

Application window: the deadline is 2026-08-14. Applicants must submit a CV, diplomas/transcripts/certificates, and a brief research plan (max 2000 words) through Malmö University’s recruitment system.