Researcher in Agent-based Modelling of Sustainability Transformations

at Stockholm Resilience Centre. Closing date: 2024-10-09.

Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) explores how people and nature can live and develop on a planet under pressure. The Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy Sciences. 
We bring people together from around the world to research, study and collaborate, for a thriving and resilient biosphere that enables well-being for all.

For more information about us, please visit: Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC)

Project description
The position will be part of the project TRANSMOD - “Building models of, with and for sustainability transformations” funded by an Advanced Grant of the European Research Council (ERC). The project studies governance and food system transformations in the Global North and South to investigate how transformative change towards more sustainable social-ecological systems (SES) emerges (or not). We apply complexity and relational perspectives to study historical and ongoing process of transformative change in ways that account for the complex, entangled, social-ecological and political nature of transformations. We are particularly interested in studying situations in which emerging novel ideas and practices face resistance and contestation by forces that aim to maintain the status quo. We use multi-methods approaches that combine empirical research, transdisciplinary engagement, and agent-based and dynamical systems modeling with the aim to advance transformation theory. The researcher will join an interdisciplinary team of empirical social-ecological researchers, modelers and philosophers at SRC.

Main responsibilities
The position involves developing agent-based models of key aspects of governance and food system transformations with the aim to build theories of transformative change. The models are empirically-stylized and will be developed in close collaboration with empirical researchers in the team. The position will push frontiers on the conceptual and methodological sides. Conceptually it involves translating concepts and insights from social and social-ecological research, such as narratives or assemblages and their role in transformation, into agent-based models. This process requires dialogue with case-based researchers and engagement with relevant theories from the natural- and social sciences. On the methodological side, the researcher will develop approaches for inferring causation from simulated data and for identifying causal mechanisms that explain simulation outcomes, e.g. through tracing the development of the SES in a simulation. Research on both frontiers will involve applying state-of-the-art methods of modelling and simulation, data analysis and causal analysis to existing or newly developed models. In addition, the researcher will assess the possibilities, challenges and limitations of agent-based modeling for building theories of transformative change of social-ecological systems in the context of multi-methods research approaches.

SRC offers a diverse, creative, collaborative and stimulating research environment with many possibilities for scientific and personal development. The candidate will be part of the TransMod team and the seslink group (www.seslink.org), and one or several of SRC’s research themes that best align with their interests. There will be possibilities for research visits to other institutions.

Qualification requirements
Researchers are appointed primarily for purposes of research and must hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
In the appointment process, special attention will be given to:

• Demonstrated expertise in agent-based modeling; knowledge of social-ecological modelling is an asset
• Background in computer science, sustainability science or other relevant fields;
• Programming and data analysis skills relevant for the design and analysis of agent-based models of social-ecological systems
• Ability to work both collaboratively in teams and to conduct independent research in interdisciplinary research settings
• Interest in social-ecological systems and complex adaptive systems, familiarity with research on social-ecological or socio-technical transformations is an asset
• Willingness to engage with social and social-ecological theories and concepts
• Analytical ability as demonstrated by scientific reports, research articles, or thesis project relevant to the position
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, indefinite-term position with a six-month trial period. Start date December 2024 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Maja Schlüter, 
telephone: +46 734 60 49 10, maja.schlueter@su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

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