PhD research position: Circular economy and digitalization of business [Finland]

 

PhD research position: Circular economy and digitalization of business

Are you REDI?

The RMIT European Doctoral Innovators (REDI) Program looking for a highly motivated researcher to kick off his/her PhD journey on an exciting project co-hosted by LUT University, Finland & RMIT University (RMIT), Australia.

REDI is a unique opportunity offering excellent PhD positions including international experience, top-class research discipline and transversal skills training, as well as networking with academic and industry leaders from 60+ supporting partners across Europe.

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Applicants will have the possibility to choose among the three innovative projects proposed for the position "Circular economy and digitalization of business". You can find the project’s details on the REDI website.

The successful candidate will sign a 12+36 month employment contract with Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (Finland) and be enrolled as a PhD candidate in a joint doctoral program at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (Finland) and RMIT University (Australia) where s/he will have the possibility to spend up to 12 months on secondment.

Position is funded by

• COFUND, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), Horizon 2020, European Union
• Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT), Finland
• RMIT University (RMIT), Australia

Dual PhD awarded: LUT University and RMIT University

Skills/Qualifications

Depending on the project you are applying for, you will need to have the following background and skills:

Project 1

You should have a background or interest in Circular Economy, Management or Coordination of Ecosystems, Platforms or Business Networks. Skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods are needed. You should be interested in conducting both academically rigorous and practically relevant research.

Project 2

You should have a background or interest in Digital Services, Servitization or Managing Service Platforms or Service Networks. Also, knowledge about Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is an asset. Skill in qualitative and quantitative research methods are needed. You should be interested in conducting both academically rigorous and practically relevant research.

Project 3

You should have a background or interest in Business Development, Circular Business Models or Managing and Coordinating Circular Business or Circular Networks. Skill in qualitative and quantitative research methods are needed. The candidate should be interested in conducting both academically rigorous and practically relevant research.

The following work and research experiences are sought (regardless the project you are applying for):

Your work experience: Professional experience from the related industry, sustainability, international business or business in general is considered an asset but is not required.

Your research experience: Experience in research is considered as an asset but is not required.

Specific Requirements

The successful applicant for this position will be enrolled as PhD candidate at 2 higher education institutions and must comply with their specific entry requirements, as detailed in the position description available on the REDI website.

Supervisors

Mikko Pynnönen (LUT) and Anne-Laure Mention (RMIT) and Industry Mentor Panu Jouhkimo (Mikkeli development Miksei Ltd. - if final topic fits)

Additional Information

Benefits

In Finland, doctoral studies take 4 years. To cover the whole 48-month studies, we offer a 12+36-month full-time work contract, indicatively starting on 2nd November 2023. The position will be based in Lappeenranta (Finland). As a precondition, the new researcher must obtain the right to pursue doctoral studies at LUT University prior the start of employment. The employment starts with a 12-month term, including a six-month trial period. The contract will be extended for 36 months provided that the studies progress satisfactorily. The annual workload for researchers is 1612 hours. In this position international travel is foreseen, including to Australia (up to 12 months) and Spain (one week per year).

The starting salary for a recently graduated MSc, in line with the General collective agreement for Finnish universities, will consist of a gross annual salary (gross amount before employee’s taxes and contributions) of est. 30.800 EUR (plus a holiday bonus in accordance with the collective agreement) with salary increases as the studies proceed. Of this amount, the estimated net salary* to be perceived by the researcher is est. 1.900 EUR per month. However, the definite amount to be received is subject to national tax legislation. For more information on Finnish taxation visit here: https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/tax-cards-and-tax-returns/tax_card/tax-percentage-calculator/

• Net salaries can fluctuate in accordance with an individual’s personal circumstances (marital status, age, disability, family and dependents, etc). The above indicative net salaries offer an approximation of what a single person in their early 20s could expect to receive in their bank account after taxes.

Benefits include:

• Occupational health care
• Paid holiday
• Paid sick leave for a limited period
• Holiday bonus
• 1,000€ yearly travel allowance to cover flights and accommodation to participate in the annual workshop at RMIT Europe in Barcelona (Spain)
• 10,000€ allowance to cover flights and living expenses for up to 12 months in Australia

For more details, please see General collective agreement for universities: https://www.sivista.fi/esittely/in-english/general-collective-agreement-for-universities/

Read more LUT as an employer: https://www.lut.fi/en/about-us/come-work-us/lut-employer

Eligibility criteria

REDI is open to excellent students and researchers of any age, nationality, gender and discipline, early in their research career.

Applicants must fulfil ALL the following minimum eligibility criteria at the date of the call deadline:

• MSCA Early-stage Researcher rule: Applicants must - at the date of call deadline (19 July 2023) – be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience*) of their research careers, career breaks excluded, and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. Career breaks refer to periods of time where the Applicant was not active in research, regardless of employment status.
  
• MSCA Mobility rule: Applicants may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline. Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.
  
• MSCA Employment rule: Applicants may not be already permanently employed by LUT University at the time of call deadline. Applicants (if successful) must be able to dedicate full time to the program's research training activities unless duly justified for personal or family reasons. This also means that a researcher cannot benefit from two Marie Skłodowska-Curie (or "Marie Curie" under FP7) Actions grants at the same time.
  
• Minimum level of studies: A master’s or equivalent degree (for example a bachelor's degree requiring at least 4 years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honours and including a research component; or a master’s degree including a research component or with a high distinction average) that allows the applicant to enrol in a university doctoral program by November 2023.
  
• English proficiency*: Applicants must have a demonstrable C1 level of English (both speaking and in writing). Evidence must be provided pre-admissions/enrolment into LUT University and RMIT University following the guidance and minimum requirements specified in the position description. In the absence of a recognised certificate, a Degree or Master’s certificate issued in a country where English is the first language may also be accepted as proof of adequate level of English. Applicants with a high level of English but without the above listed qualifications may still apply however must note that evidence of English proficiency will be required prior to admission / enrolment into LUT University and RMIT University.
  
• Availability: Applicants must be available for exclusive, full-time employment starting November 2023 for a minimum period of 36 months.

• Full-Time Equivalent Research Experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree entitling them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited, even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged.

Website for additional job details

• https://www.rediprogram.eu/vacancies/circular-economy-digitalization-of-busines

Work Locations

• Primary: Lappeenranta, Finland
• Secondary: Melbourne, Australia
• Annual workshops in Barcelona, Spain

Selection process

1. Online application: Submit your application through the REDI online portal before 19 July 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

2. Eligibility checks: The REDI management team will check whether your application meets the eligibility criteria and notify you of the outcome by 27 July 2023.

3. Assessment of eligible applications: If your application meets the eligibility criteria, it will progress to assessment by the selection panel against the evaluation criteria specified in the Guide for Applicants (see REDI website). Assessment results are expected in early August.

4. Interviews will be held with shortlisted applicants the week of August 21.

5. Final ranking: Interview results and final decision on the allocation of position is expected at the end of August.

6. Expected start of PhD is in November 2023.

Where to apply:

• https://www.rediprogram.eu/open_vacancies/
• Reference: LUT-DC4

Contact

• https://www.rediprogram.eu/
• e-Mail: redi.help@rmit.edu.au
• phone: +349 354 777 00

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