Assistant Professor, Maritime Policy

Job title: Assistant Professor, Maritime Policy 

Organizational Unit: Faculty

Grade: P-2

Duty Station: Malmö, Sweden

Duration of contract: Two-year fixed-term appointment. Further renewals may be offered subject to satisfactory performance.

Starting date: 1 March 2024 or earlier.

1. Organizational setting

The World Maritime University (WMU) is a postgraduate education and research university established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. WMU offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Professional Development Courses (PDCs) with the highest standards in maritime and oceans education and training. WMU also has a highly regarded research programme supported by specialized research groups across the maritime and ocean fields.

The Assistant Professor position falls within the Faculty Unit at WMU’s headquarters in Malmö, Sweden.

2. Main purpose

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Vice-President (Academic Affairs), and functionally under the Head of Maritime Law and Policy. As a faculty member at the World Maritime University, the Assistant Professor is expected to engage in teaching/mentoring, research, and publication as well as to promote inter-university cooperation in areas related to maritime policy.

This new position is designed to advance and to strengthen the maritime policy component in WMU’s academic programmes especially in the context of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. This position is therefore open to candidates with a wide range of interests and expertise in all aspects of public policy as it relates to the maritime and oceans fields.

Contemporary maritime trends and issues such as climate change, decarbonization, domestic ferry safety, automation, and digitalization in the maritime and oceans sectors are taught and analyzed in our education and research programmes. The faculty member must be knowledgeable and supportive of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and understand their relationship with IMO and the University’s mandate and goals.

The work involves teaching both introductory and advanced courses, mentoring PhD and MSc students, serving on internal committees and panels, and providing services to WMU, IMO, and the maritime and oceans communities, as directed by the University.

The Assistant Professor will engage in maritime research projects and scholarship leading to the publication of peer-reviewed impact-creating articles and scholarly books. The incumbent shall be committed to the development and execution of research projects and the dissemination of scholarly results.

As a member of the faculty and professional staff at WMU, the Assistant Professor of Maritime Policy is expected to contribute to WMU, positioning it as a leading academic institution of excellence in the maritime and ocean fields and to contribute to the overall research output in the areas of his or her expertise.

3. Working relationships

Internal contacts – the incumbent will liaise and interact with all faculty members on a regular basis as well as with support staff, as required.

External contacts – the incumbent will liaise with the global maritime and oceans communities, research organizations, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and engage with scientific journals and publishing entities.

4. Duties, responsibilities

Responsibilities

The Assistant Professor of Maritime Policy is expected, under the supervision of the Vice- President (Academic Affairs) and functionally under the Head of Maritime Law and Policy, to be engaged in:

• teaching, including engagement in the MSc and PhD teaching programmes in Malmö, WMU Outreach Campuses and other locations as assigned;
• coordinating and participating in student field studies;
• mentoring of PhD and MSc students and supervision of research theses/dissertations in areas related to their expertise;
• maintaining scholarship in the form of publications such as peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, etc.;
• developing research projects, submission of project proposals, and delivery of such projects;
• disseminating research findings at academic and professional conferences and meetings;
• remaining up-to-date in areas of expertise and maintaining active engagement with maritime organizations, academic institutions, relevant industry partners, and professional bodies;
• being involved in distance learning (e-learning) programmes, PDCs, and capacity- building courses as required;
• serving on WMU committees and work groups, and active participation in administrative, academic, and curriculum duties; and
• undertake special projects and other duties as required.

5. Requirements – education, experience and language skills

Education

• PhD in the area of public policy, economics, public affairs, public administration, political science, international relations, law or a related social science discipline

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of three years of experience, after obtaining a PhD, in independent research and teaching at the post-graduate level;
• Demonstrated ability to teach university-level public policy courses;
• Demonstrated expertise in the fields of public policy formulation, implementation, analysis, and evaluation in the maritime or oceans context pertaining to government institutions, non-profit and community-based organizations, or related areas;
• A track record in research and scholarly publication in public policy formulation, implementation, analysis, and evaluation in the maritime or oceans context or other areas related to the position;
• Familiarity with the IMO and its key instruments; and
• Advanced knowledge of international maritime trade or oceans issues.

Desirable

• Professional experience in working within or with government, maritime, and oceans organizations;
• Experience within the United Nations system and a track record of activities, research and publications focussing on the concept of sustainability in the maritime sector;
• Demonstrated ability to attract external funding;
• Experience in research project management in relation to the position and in capacity- building programs for developing countries;
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings;
• Experience in organizing conferences and seminars; and
• Sea-going experience.

Languages

Essential

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Desirable

• Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

6. Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills in an international and diverse academic community;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a professional/academic team;
• Effective organizational skills to manage time and priorities in teaching and administrative duties as appropriate;
• Ability to act as point of contact for problems/inquiries from students in the areas of expertise;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes; and
• Ability to deal with administrative matters as appropriate to the rank of an Assistant Professor and with reference to other colleagues within WMU.

Application

The position offers an attractive salary (P-2 Grade of the ICSC salary scale), free of income tax in Sweden, a benefits package and relocation expenses. Applicants must fill in the Personal History form, which can be found at https://www.wmu.se/docs/personal-history-form, and should send a letter of interest, a complete CV, and the contact information of three referees to Marco Batista, Head of Human Resources (mb@wmu.se).

Deadline for Applications: 5 November 2023.