Sweden : PhD in History of Technology

The Division of Social Sciences at the Department of Business Administration and Social Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, seeks applicants for a PhD-position in the subject of history of technology with emphasis on the rights of indigenous peoples in the protected areas of Fennoscandia 


Background

An important premise for exploitation of land-based natural resources and attendant technology use in northern Fennoscandia (Norway, Sweden and Finland) is how nature conservancy for specific areas is formulated and how the rights of the Sami peoples in these areas are formulated. In the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Nature Conservancy in Fennoscandia project funded by Formas, these aspects are studied from historic, political and legal perspectives through an interdisciplinary collaboration between Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University and Tromsö University. The project runs 2010-2013 with a possibility for extension.

Objective

The objective of the project is to study the ways in which nationally distinct values, ideologies and conceptions form the basis for development of indigenous rights, and different administrative models in the area that are influenced by the rights of the Sami peoples, and how these administrative models distribute power and influence among different ethnic groups. The PhD-student will specifically study how the notion of nature as both a real and symbolic resource has changed and how cultural notions about the relationship between nature and people among societal groups have influenced the direction of decisions. This is done by examining documentation on appropriation of protected areas and choice of administrative models in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Consequently, this also touches on the relationship between the Sami, the majority population and other ethnic groups. The studies are conducted within a nature conservation discourse about what type of nature conservation is established, and an indigenous people’s discourse about the rights of native peoples to land and water. The final delimitation of the PhD-project is done in collaboration with the project managers.

In your application, you should describe why you are interested in the subject and include a brief thesis concept (two or three pages) that refers to the topic. In it, you can discuss problems, objectives, theories, methods and implementation. The final content of the thesis will be modified and developed within the framework of the project and future instruction. 

The application should also contain documented information on previous studies and grades, and copies of papers to which the applicant wishes to refer.

If you wish to direct your application toward a political science aspect, apply to political science at Umeå University (see http://www.jobb.umu.se/ ).  
Qualifications/Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must have at least 90 higher education credits in history or a comparable subject. Applicants should also have an advanced degree, completed the course requirements for at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at an advanced level, or otherwise acquired essentially the same knowledge within or outside Sweden. Proficiency in Swedish and English is required and proficiency in Finnish is useful.

Employment

Employment for PhD-position is intended for those who wish to pursue PhD-studies. Salary is payable as per applicable agreements for PhD-employment.
Information

General questions can be answered by the head of history of technology, Senior Lecturer Lars Elenius, at +46 (0)920-49 12 59, lars.elenius@ltu.se.   

Related linksFor more information on the department’s research and instruction, see the Department of Business Administration and Social Sciences website at Luleå University of Technology:http://www.ltu.se/inst/ies

Further information about the project can be found at:
 http://www.indigenous-nature.eu

Application

Send your CV along with a brief motivation for obtaining a post-doc appointment to the project to: Luleå University of Technology, Registrar, SE-971 87 Luleå, Sweden.   You can also send your application electronically toregistrator@ltu.se.

Include reference number 565-10 on your application.

Application deadline: 03 May 2010.