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stillingsbetegnelse:
PhD scholarship: Using Blockchain for Effective Paris Agreement Implementation

jobbeskrivelse:

The Low Carbon Development Programme, part of the UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP), invites applications for a PhD research project focused on blockchain (Distributed Ledger Technology, DLT) applications to climate change challenges in the context of sustainable development. Over more than 25 years, the UDP (http://www.unepdtu.org) has become a leading international research and advisory hub on energy, climate and sustainable development. The UDP is an integrated part of the Department of Management Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The UDP works in close partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment) and has project activities with national and international partners, national governments and research institutions in more than 50 developing countries. 

Background
The Paris Climate Change Agreement (PA) from 2015 together with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set the scene for a sustainable future. Despite the historical agreement between 195 Parties, present efforts are insufficient. The PA target is to limit global warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, while current scenarios project approx. 3 to 3.2 degrees Celsius by 2100, if all national commitments are achieved. To achieve the PA target, timely action is required to avoid points of no return, demanding a net zero emissions world by 2050.

Newly evolving technologies, such as the blockchain technology (Distributed Ledger Technology, DLT) have the potential to act as a tool to accelrate global actions towards the PA agenda and the SDGs. Central blockchain features are an immutable audit trail of transactions, cheap and borderless transfer of values, and automated execution of contract specifications. In essence, the DLT could provide a secure and transparent foundation for any mechanism that incentivizes emission reductions anywhere in the world. 

Project aims 
The PhD project will therefore be focusing on the DLTs application in the climate change and sustainable development context, and specifically on the technologies potential to address present gaps and barriers prohibiting efficient implementation of the PA agenda and the SDGs. The project will carry out a neutral assessment of the technology, applying enhanced conceptual, methodological and empirical insights to identify most promising use cases and share lessons learned.

Research methodology   
There is scope within the project for pursuing an interdisciplinary framework of analysis combining different theoretical perspectives as well as methodological approaches. The research should however include a strong element of socio-economics and economic theory. Research methods should mostly be in the form of quantitative (primarily secondary) data collection and analysis, complemented with framework and methodology development and qualitative data collection and analysis, preferably from a real case study.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a Master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline (economics, environment or development studies), with proven skills in socio-economic assessments and experience within climate change and sustainable development area. Prior understanding of the DLT landscape will be a significant plus, although not required.

Strong oral and written English communication skills are essential. Experience from working in a developing country is an asset. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently, to plan and carry out independent research, including field work in developing countries. Candidates are expected to have a high degree of self-motivation, leading their research project with the support of two co-supervisors.

Project environment and research Group
The successful candidate will join an international team of about 70 professionals in an interdisciplinary work environment, with a broad portfolio of activities and an extensive network of professional contacts to research and government institutions in developing countries as well as the UN system. 

The PhD position is part of a larger effort of the UDP to establish a research group exploring the potentials of DLT in the context of climate and energy related challenges in collaboration with the Technology and Innovation Management research group at TU Berlin.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarships for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general Ph.D. programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.   

Assessment 
The PhD student will be selected through a competitive application process. Online applications will be screened against a set of criteria and a shortlist of candidates will be invited to an interview and to present their project proposals (via skype if based abroad). The assessment process and final selection will be made by the project supervisor in collaboration with an assessment committee.  

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.   

Further information 
The project supervisor, Miriam L. Hinostroza, milh (at) dtu.dk, can be contacted directly to answer any specific questions.  

Application 
Please submit your online application no later than 19 October 2018 (local time). Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:  

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
• Project proposal, including background, rationale, methodological and theoretical approach, case study ideas (max 6 pages)

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it. The aim is to start the study 2 January 2019. 

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. 

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 6,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society, and our 11,200 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government and public agencies.

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jobCategoriesCodes_0: http://data.europa.eu/esco/isco/C2310

abstractJV_contact_0: Please apply using one of the specified channels

positionTypeCode: directhire

contractTypeCodes_0: fulltime

Arbejdsgiver Navn: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

source: DK-STAR