SUNSET DC10

PhD position in Sociology:

City-university interactions in disaster risk reduction and enhancing the resilience of urban systems

The project explores the intersectoral, including city-university, cooperation formats to be better prepared for the challenges created by weather extremes and other hazards to the functioning of urban services and infrastructures. The project scrutinizes building capacities and collaborative systems practices to mitigate these risks through socially and ecologically viable solutions in urban regions. This involves considering the factors impeding or facilitating synchronizing the decision-making over adaptation and hazard response measures between universities and cities. The project considers the functionality of collaborative systems for long-term adaptation and preparedness in university-city settings in diverse geographic, climatic, and socio-policital contexts.

The selected candidate will be part of the SUNSET Doctoral Network built around a community of leading scholars and 10 doctoral candidates delivering insights into how universities and their host cities can collaborate and interact to achieve the digitalization and sustainability goals set out by current European and global policy agendas. The network is purposefully international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary. It comprises 6 academic and 16 non-academic partners in 5 European countries (Belgium – The Netherlands – Finland – Norway – Estonia). SUNSET emphasizes cooperative research and includes international mobility and intersectoral secondments to maximize the career potential of all doctoral candidates. Two of the doctoral projects are conducted at the University of Tartu, Estonia.

• Host institution: University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
• Supervisory team: Prof. Kati Orru (PhD main supervisor, University of Tartu), Dr Niki Frantzeskaki (PhD co-supervisor, University of Utrecht); Aveliina Helm (second PhD co-supervisor, University of Tartu), Merit Tatar (secondment host, Institute of Baltic Studies)
• Enrolment in Doctoral School: Doctoral programme in Social Sciences, University of Tartu
• Start of the studies: 2 September 2024
• Full-time paid position as a junior researcher for 36 months, funding for additional 12 months will potentially be available
• Mean funding rate per month for 36 months: 2,040€ living allowance + 448€ mobility allowance + 493€ family allowance if eligible (net approximately 1,570€ + 345€ + 3805€); potential funding for 12 additional months
• The EU Researcher Allowances will be used to cover both the employee’s and the employer’s mandatory charges.
• Estonian national health insurance coverage for the whole duration
• Regular health checks and limited health improvement costs for staff members provided by the university (e.g. gym, swimming, glasses)
• Find good practices at the University of Tartu, including for doctoral studies, at https://ut.ee/en/good-practices
• More information: kati.orru [at] ut.ee

Apply via DreamApply platform until 22 April 2024 – the due date is extended!

• University of Utrecht, The Netherlands (Spring 2026): Visiting fellowship at the Spatial Planning Section, Geosciences Faculty, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
• Institute of Baltic Studies (Fall 2025): to participate in research projects focused on sustainable urban and regional development, and provide experience with working in a think-tank and as part of an international team

• You have completed a Master’s degree in sociology, human geography, public governance, disaster management, or a related social science field, preferably acquired recently, or possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.
• Specialization in resilience, and risk/crisis governance studies will be beneficial.
• If you finish your master’s degree in the spring of 2024, you are also welcome to apply. The master’s studies should be finished by 1 August 2024.
• Both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade.
• You have a keen interest in urban studies, resilient and green transitions, and European crisis policies.
• You have solid and documented abilities for conducting qualitative and quantitative research in social sciences.
• You have proven your proficiency in the English language equivalent to the B2 level by following the criteria specified here: https://ut.ee/en/sisu/phd-language-requirements.
• You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Estonia for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.
• You are ambitious, well organized, a team player, and have excellent communication skills.
• You have the ability to work independently and have a critical mindset.
• You are a pro-active and motivated person, eager to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities.

In Estonia, you will be living in a highly connected society, with free Wi-Fi almost everywhere. Many everyday activities are made easier with various IT solutions. Student life in Estonia is full of activities and events. There are many organizations and events that help foreign students to settle into Estonian life and create a social network in the country. For more information about Living in Estonia https://studyinestonia.ee/living 

Please submit the following materials via DreamApply online application platform by 22 April 2024.

• A one-page letter of motivation explaining how your prior research experience qualifies you for the position and why you would like to work on this topic.
• Official copies of both bachelor’s and master’s diplomas, and diploma supplements (bachelor’s and master’s transcript/mark sheet, including the description of the grading scale) and their official translations into English, if not issued in English. Applicants graduating in 2024 and having their diplomas issued later than the application deadline, should electronically submit their most recent official Transcript of Records by the required deadline along with the rest of the required documents. The master’s studies should be finished by 1 August, 2024.
• Proof of English language proficiency, https://ut.ee/en/sisu/phd-language-requirements.
• A two-page CV (including publications if available, check required information from this template, other CV formats may be used).
• Copy of passport page stating the applicant’s personal particulars.
• Names and contact details (address, telephone number, email address) for three referees and the capacity in which you know them.

Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be conducted as soon as possible after the closing date. Priority will be given to candidates with a background in resilience and risk/crisis governance studies. For shortlisted candidates, we will aim to assess conceptual, technical, and spoken communication skills and team suitability in an online interview. A small research-related task can be asked to be conducted.

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