Lund University

Overview

The PhD Programme in Risk and Safety at Lund University delves into the intricate dynamics of risk and safety that emerge from the interactions among humans, technology, and the environment. This programme equips students with the necessary research skills to analyze uncertainty, mitigate potential harm, and foster risk-informed decision-making within complex real-world systems.

• Level: PhD (third-cycle)
• Focus: Risk, safety, resilience, uncertainty modeling, and risk governance in complex systems
• Credits: Typically 240 ECTS for a full PhD
• Duration: Commonly 4 years full-time, subject to funding and individual study plans
• Delivery: On-campus with research activities and seminars
• Language of instruction: English
• English test example: IELTS Academic 6.5
• Application: Submit through Lund University’s PhD application process

What you'll study

This programme integrates structured doctoral coursework with comprehensive research training, ongoing supervision, and thesis development. The specific courses may vary based on research topics and individual study plans.

• Core doctoral courses (examples):
  • Complex Systems
  • Design Theory
  • Decision Analysis and Decision Theory
  • Resilience
  • Risk Analysis and Uncertainty Modeling
  • Risk Management Theories and Human/Organizational Factors
  • Risk Governance
  • Infrastructure Analysis
• Research training: Includes research seminars, literature reviews, methodological development, and participation in academic discussions.
• Thesis work: Involves independent research culminating in a doctoral thesis, which can be in monograph or article-based format depending on the study plan.
• Progress milestones: Involves regular supervision meetings, planned coursework completion, and formal evaluations according to Lund University doctoral regulations.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the PhD Programme, applicants must fulfill Lund University’s general entry requirements for third-cycle studies. A relevant second-cycle degree (Master’s level) with a solid foundation in fields like risk analysis, safety engineering, decision science, or systems analysis is essential. Specific grading thresholds and standardized test requirements may vary.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD Programme in Risk and Safety are well-positioned for diverse career opportunities in academia, industry, and government sectors. The skills acquired during this programme enable graduates to contribute to safety and risk management practices in various fields, including engineering, public policy, and environmental management.

Upon completion of the PhD, graduates may also be eligible to apply for a residence permit to work in Sweden, provided they meet the necessary conditions for employment or job-seeking after graduation.