Ph.D. Student Position

The doctoral student will work with an interdisciplinary doctoral committee with expertise in the fields of resource management, development studies, economics, social sciences and water governance. The position provides an opportunity to participate in progressive research on the urgent issue of increasing knowledge about water governance in low-income countries in Africa, with a primary focus on those countries where Iceland has bilateral development cooperation, namely Uganda, Malawi and Sierra Leone. It is expected that the doctoral student will have working facilities at the University of Iceland but will carry out the necessary data collection in Iceland's partner countries in Africa in collaboration with the doctoral committee, with an emphasis on Uganda.

Water is a natural resource that is the foundation of all life and is access to sufficient and clean water for drinking and cooking, a basic human need and a prerequisite for health and well-being. Water is also important for many industries such as fish processing and a prerequisite for agriculture.

Many low-income countries in Africa struggle with various challenges regarding the development and governance of access, supply and quality of water to meet the needs of society, not least in rural areas. Water is an important focus area in Iceland's development cooperation, both as part of bilateral cooperation in partner countries; as support for multilateral cooperation and also through Icelandic NGOs in Africa. Water issues have also received much increased attention in the context of climate change.

This research project focuses on advancing knowledge of water resource governance systems. African countries face a variety of challenges in building and developing sustainable, efficient and equitable rural water governance systems. However, water as a resource has many characteristics that make its governance systems different from other natural resources. It can be assumed that the results of this research will increase knowledge of water governance in low-income African countries and support governments in the countries concerned in water resources governance.

Main tasks

• Participate in an interdisciplinary research project related to development cooperation, which aims to understand how to strengthen water governance in low-income African countries.
• Analyse, using interdisciplinary research methods, the main challenges to water governance in rural low-income countries in Africa, with a focus on drinking water for households, for schools and other institutions and for use in commercial activities, especially fish processing and agriculture.
• Conduct policy analysis to assess current policies and action plans on water governance in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Conduct analysis of different water governance systems, taking into account sustainability, efficiency and equity.
• Work on the publication of scientific articles and presentations of academic research.
• Participate in the dissemination of results to policymakers and support informed decision-making and policy development in the context of water governance.

Requirements

Research Field: Environmental science » Water science

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• A Master's degree in a field related to the research topic, such as environmental and/or natural resource studies, social sciences, or development studies or another field that the applicant believes is related to the topic. The Master's degree must be completed by the time the position starts.
• Independent and disciplined work style.
• Good communication skills.
• Good writing skills.
• Knowledge of interdisciplinary research methods, especially qualitative and policy analysis, is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Icelandic development cooperation in Africa is an advantage.
• Experience of projects or work in rural areas in in sub Saharan Africa is an advantage.
• Good English skills, both spoken and written.
• Proficiency in Icelandic is an advantage.

Appointment is conditional on the applicant formally applying for an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Environmental and Natural Resources Studies at the University of Iceland and the application being approved.

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Wages according to the current collective agreement by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and Félag háskólakennara.

The expected starting date is 01.11.2026 or by agreement.

The following documents must accompany the application in Icelandic or English:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter describing how the applicant meets the qualification requirements stated in the advertisement and what they consider they can contribute to the position (max 2 pages)
• Certified copies of diplomas (undergraduate and graduate studies)
• Contact information for two referees

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed of the outcome once a decision has been made. Applications may remain valid for six months after the application deadline.

In hiring for positions at the University of Iceland, the University's equality policy is taken into account. Attention is also drawn to the University of Iceland's language policy.

Since 1911, the University of Iceland has been a leading institution for business and societal progress in Iceland. It is a forward-looking research university and an active participant in international scientific collaboration.

The University of Iceland is the largest university in the country, offering nearly 400 programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Approximately 14,000 students are enrolled, including over 2,000 international students.

More than 1,800 staff members work at the University of Iceland. The university emphasizes attracting a diverse community of employees and students to an international academic environment, where academic freedom, professionalism, equality, diversity, and inclusion are prioritized.