While the world contemplates how to phase out fossil fuels “in a just, orderly, and equitable manner”, one critical question that comes up is the following: Who are the agents responsible for driving these transitions, and in what way? LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies) is now recruiting for a fully funded PhD in sustainability science aimed precisely at this issue, analysing how the finance industry drives energy transitions in Scandinavia and elsewhere.
The current PhD opportunity is offered within a FORMAS-funded research project titled “(Dis)orderly Transitions: The financial sector’s role in shaping just energy transitions that will begin on 1 January 2027 in Lund, Sweden.
About Lund University
Founded way back in 1666, Lund University has been a major name in the European academia scene and remains an internationally prestigious institution. This university has over 46,000 students and 8,500 staff in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö, known to have a reputation of excellence in interdisciplinary research and education.
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies) Malmö, and is committed to innovative research and pedagogy that critically engage sustainability issues while proposing solutions. The research done by LUCSUS falls under five core themes:
- Climate change and resilience
- Governance of land use and development
- Urban governance and transformation
- Energy justice and sustainability of energy systems
- Biodiversity and natural resource management
LUCSUS manages two master’s programmes (LUMES and LUCAS) and a PhD research programme, with English as the language of communication.
Programme Overview: PhD in Sustainability Science
PhD studies in sustainability science at LUCSUS consist of a four-year programme on a full-time basis (240 credits). The programme ends with a thesis defence. As a PhD student, you are a salaried employee of Lund University.
Important aspects are the following:
- 4 years of doctoral education full-time (240 ECTS credits)
- Employment through Lund University with monthly wage
- Possibility for up to 20% teaching or department work, with a corresponding prolongation of the contract
- Full-time employment in Lund and workspace at LUCSUS
- Employment terms regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (HF), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7
The official language is English, and you will join a vibrant international research environment.
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PhD in Sustainability Science Research Project
The PhD placement is part of the FORMAS-supported research project “(Dis)orderly transitions: The financial sector’s contribution to the creation of just energy transitions”. This research starts from the agreement at COP28, where nations agreed to leave fossil fuels “in a just, orderly, and equitable way”.
The central goal of the research is to scrutinise the concept of “orderly transition”:
- How do financial actors understand and practise an “orderly” energy transition?
- What financial tools and techniques are utilised to seek the future’s knowability, manageability, and control?
- How does the quest for order serve as an expression of power, and who stands to win or lose in this process?
The use of instruments such as transition bonds and green taxonomies to affect time horizons, uncertainties, and risk distribution in energy transitions will be investigated. The research is firmly grounded in critical social science, especially economic sociology and political economy, and entails collaboration between scholars from Sweden and Canada.
PhD in Sustainability Science Research Tasks
As the PhD researcher, your primary responsibility will be the independent and interdisciplinary research that conforms to the goals of the entire project. You will examine efforts at organising an orderly withdrawal from fossil fuel investments as well as any resistance to this.
Research activities usually include:
- Qualitative research involving finance-related people in Scandinavia
- Semi-structured interviews of investors, banks, or policymakers
- Participant observation of industry conferences
- Document and discourse analysis of reports, taxonomies, and transition frameworks
The geographical focus is Scandinavia, and you will engage directly with regional stakeholders through interviews and other qualitative methods.
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Who Should Apply? Required Qualifications
In order to be considered for enrolment in the third cycle (doctoral) education, one must have the general and specific qualifications and be deemed fit for the programme.
General Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree awarded before the date of employment (1 January 2027)
- A minimum of 240 credits, whereof at least 60 credits must be at advanced level, or corresponding knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad
Required profile:
- Master of Sustainability Science or master’s in Human Geography, Sociology, Science & Technology Studies (STS), Political Science, Anthropology or another similar discipline
- Evidence of interest in critical social science perspectives, including but not limited to expertise in political economy, economic sociology, science & technology studies or related topics
- Interest in climate-, energy- and/or finance-based research topics is well documented
- Qualitative research experience (e.g., interviews, fieldwork, document analysis)
- Able to work both independently and within an interdisciplinary/international research group
- Excellent English language skills, both written and oral
- Passion for participating in teaching and life at LUCSUS
Assessment of applicants will be done by measuring how independent their research work is and their enthusiasm about being involved in a nascent research domain of sustainability science.
Desired Qualifications: What Will Strengthen Your Application
Please apply even if you do not meet all desired criteria. However, the following will enhance your profile:
- Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language, both written and spoken
- Knowledge of theories such as social constructivism or relational theory, particularly in relation to financial market construction, perceptions of risk, and futurity
- Knowledge of analytical tools such as discourse analysis and stakeholder mapping
- Experience in dealing with stakeholders and producing outputs for them (investors, policymakers, NGOs)
- Experience with academic publishing
Strong collaboration and communication skills, high motivation, and the ability to work under multiple time constraints are also important.
Application Documents: What You Need to Prepare
Applications are submitted electronically via the Lund University application portal. Your application must include:
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Cover letter (max 2,000 words) outlining:
- Yourself in brief
- Your motivation and qualifications for pursuing a PhD
- Why you want to engage in this particular project
- How you fit the listed qualifications
- What personal interests you would like to pursue through this project
- CV in English (maximum two pages), which includes your academic qualifications and publications (if any)
- Diploma and transcripts of grades
- One copy of your academic thesis(es) (minimum of 30 credits): for example, a 30-credit master’s thesis or a 15-credit master’s thesis and a 15-credit bachelor’s thesis
- Names and contacts of three professional referees (referees’ letters are not required at this stage)
Strategic Tips for Applicants
If you are considering this PhD, it is worth tailoring your application to the project’s unique blend of sustainability, critical social science, and finance:
- If you have any experience in working with energy systems, climate policy, and financial tools, make sure to emphasise it, even if your education is more technical/materials-orientated.
- Demonstrate your competence in qualitative research methods, including interview research, fieldwork, and discourse analysis.
- Show that you can reflect on power, justice, and risk in energy transitions, not just technology and infrastructure.
The focus on energy justice, governance, and systems-thinking for students with an engineering or natural sciences background may help facilitate the transition to this important field of social science.
Why This PhD Stands Out
This position offers more than a conventional sustainability PhD:
- Funded doctorate position in Sweden
- Great collaboration between Swedish and Canadian scholars
- Highly relevant for actual policy discussions and COP28 agreements
- Very involved with financial tools affecting energy transition and justice issues
You will be part of a leading social sciences faculty at Lund University, working at the intersection of finance, climate, and sustainability transitions.
Key Dates and How to Apply
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First day of employment: 1 January 2027
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Number of positions: 1
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Type of employment: Temporary, full-time (100%)
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Deadline: 28 August 2026
CLICK HERE for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is this PhD position fully funded?
Yes. The PhD position is an employed position at Lund University, consisting of four years of full-time studies, possibly with extension if you take part in teaching and departmental work.
2. How long is the PhD programme in Sustainability Science at LUCSUS?
This programme requires completion of 240 credits at higher education level, which translates into four years of full-time study and ends in a public defence of a doctoral thesis.
3. What is the main focus of the research project?
This research project explores how financial actors produce “orderly” energy transitions away from fossil fuels through various mechanisms, such as transition bonds and green taxonomies. It analyses how this process allocates risk, uncertainty, power, and justice.
4. Do I need a background in finance to apply?
No. The candidate should have knowledge or experience in sustainability science or social sciences like human geography, sociology, science & technology studies (STS), political science, anthropology, or other similar disciplines. Research on climate, energy, and/or finance would be desirable, but an in-depth background in finance is not necessary.
5. Which research methods will the PhD candidate use?
The role is highly qualitative in nature and will involve conducting interviews, conducting participant observation at industry events, and conducting discourse/document analysis related to financial practices and energy transition policy.
6. Is knowledge of Swedish or other Scandinavian languages required?
Language fluency in any Scandinavian language is not a requirement, but it is seen as an asset.
7. Can candidates from technical or natural science backgrounds apply for PhD in sustainability science?
Yes, provided that they show an ability and interest in doing so in key social science methods and approaches. You should be able to show why your past work relates to climate, energy, governance or sustainable development.
8. What are the general eligibility requirements for admission?
You must possess a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification no later than 1 January 2027, which should include no less than 240 higher education credits, of which not less than 60 must be at the Master’s level (or equivalent international qualifications).
9. What documents are required for the application for PhD in sustainability science?
The cover letter should not exceed 2,000 words; the CV should be 2 pages; certificates for degrees and grades; a thesis copy that accounts for 30 credits; and the contact information of 3 professional references.
10. Will I be expected to teach during the PhD?
It may be necessary for you to perform duties in the department, primarily teaching, up to 20% of your working time. Should you engage in such work, your term of employment is correspondingly prolonged.
11. Where will the PhD candidate be based?
You are supposed to be present full-time in Lund, Sweden, with an office space provided by LUCSUS as well as participation in the department’s and research school’s activities.
12. What are the deadline and start date for PhD in sustainability science?
The deadline is 28 August 2026, and the first day of employment is scheduled for 1 January 2027.
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