1–2 PhD Positions in the DECENT Project at Lund University, Sweden

The Department of Human Geography at Lund University is inviting applications for 1–2 PhD positions in Human/Economic Geography under the ERC-funded DECENT project (Socio-technical Modularity and the Decentralization of Infrastructure).

The selected PhD students will be employed within the DECENT project and affiliated with CIRCLE (Centre for Innovation Research). The positions are particularly suitable for candidates interested in economic geography, innovation studies, socio-technical transitions, sustainability transitions, geography of innovation, and urban experimentation.

About the DECENT Project

Cities have traditionally depended on centralised infrastructure systems to provide essential services such as electricity, water, transportation, food, and finance. However, large-scale network-based infrastructures can struggle to adequately address changing social, economic, and environmental needs.

The DECENT project examines how decentralized infrastructure solutions can provide societal functions in more modular ways.

Examples of decentralized infrastructure being studied include:

* Micro-grids
* Small-scale wastewater treatment systems
* Multi-modal transport
* Short food chains
* Distributed finance

The project investigates how these decentralized solutions can overcome the historical legacies of large-scale infrastructure systems.

Researchers will approach decentralization from a configurational socio-technical perspective, examining areas including local and global industry dynamics, the geography of innovation, sustainability transitions, and urban experimentation.

The empirical research will compare infrastructure decentralization across cities in both high-income regions, such as Europe and North America, and middle-income regions, including South and Southeast Asia.

PhD Research Opportunity

The positions are based within the Department of Human Geography at Lund University and form part of the interdisciplinary DECENT research project.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to conduct doctoral research connected to the project’s broader themes while developing expertise in areas such as:

* Economic and human geography
* Innovation studies
* Socio-technical transitions
* Sustainability transitions
* Geography of innovation
* Urban experimentation
* Infrastructure decentralization
* Local and global industry dynamics

The positions may be particularly attractive to applicants interested in understanding how cities can transition from centralised infrastructure systems toward more distributed and modular alternatives.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity is suitable for candidates with academic and research interests related to human geography, economic geography, innovation studies, socio-technical transitions, sustainability, infrastructure, cities, and urban development.

Applicants should carefully review the official vacancy announcement for the complete eligibility requirements, required qualifications, application documents, and other conditions of employment.

About Lund University

Lund University is a major research university in Sweden with a broad international research environment. The PhD students will be based in the Department of Human Geography and affiliated with CIRCLE, the Centre for Innovation Research.

Working within the DECENT project will provide doctoral researchers with an opportunity to contribute to research examining some of the major challenges surrounding infrastructure, innovation, sustainability, and urban transformation.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the full vacancy announcement and submit their application through Lund University’s official recruitment portal.

Number of Positions: 1–2 PhD positions
Field: Human/Economic Geography
Project: DECENT – Socio-technical Modularity and the Decentralization of Infrastructure
Funding: European Research Council (ERC)
Institution: Lund University, Sweden
Deadline: August 28, 2026

Application Link

Apply here: https://s-tep.org/job-opportunity-1-2-phd-positions-in-the-decent-project/

Applicants are encouraged to review the complete job description and application requirements before submitting their applications.

Conclusion

The DECENT PhD positions at Lund University offer an opportunity for aspiring researchers to contribute to an ERC-funded project exploring how cities can rethink the way essential services and infrastructure are organised.

Candidates interested in economic geography, innovation, sustainability transitions, socio-technical systems, and urban experimentation are encouraged to explore the opportunity and apply before the August 28, 2026 deadline. Discover more opportunities like this HERE.