PhD position under the Solar Food project, supported by the Research Council of Norway (RCN)

Call for Applications: PhD Position at Kathmandu University School of Management

Project: Solar Food – Developing Inclusive Business Model Concepts for Solar Food Drying in the Himalayan Region

Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) invites applications from highly motivated candidates for a fully funded PhD position under the Solar Food project, supported by the Research Council of Norway (RCN). This international research collaboration focuses on developing inclusive business models for solar food drying technologies that promote sustainable rural development and gender empowerment in the Himalayan region.

Project Overview:

The Solar Food project brings together a network of international and regional partners, including Lund University (Sweden), Ruralis – Institute for Rural and Regional Research (Norway), Jigme Namgyel Engineering College and Gedu College of Business Studies (Royal University of Bhutan), Department of Mechanical Engineering (Kathmandu University), and KUSOM. The initiative is designed to support women-led agricultural cooperatives and improve food processing practices through culturally relevant solar drying innovations.

PhD Research Focus:

The selected PhD candidate will engage in applied research in the following thematic areas:

● Socio-economic and gender impacts of introducing solar drying technologies in rural communities

● Market potential and value chain development for solar-dried food products

● Real-world performance and usability of solar dryers

● Design and development of inclusive, locally embedded business models for women-led cooperatives

● Cross-institutional knowledge co-creation

Supervision:

The PhD scholar will work under joint supervision of:

● Dr. Pia Piroschka Otte, Research Professor, Ruralis – Institute for Rural and Regional Research, Norway

● Asst. Prof. Roshee Lamichhane, Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Kathmandu University School of Management

Scholarship and Mobility:

The PhD position is fully funded through the Solar Food project. It includes:

● Full tuition waiver and research support from Kathmandu University

● Monthly stipend as per project norms

● A mobility grant for a 3-month research stay at Ruralis (Norway) and Lund University (Sweden) to facilitate international research collaboration and training

Eligibility Criteria:

- Completion of a Master’s Degree with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.25 out of 4.0 or an equivalent of 60 percent marks.

- Strong oral and written English language skills.

- Must be ready to start the study by September 2025.

- Selection will be strictly on a merit basis.

- Young scholars, female and those from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

    ● A Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Development Studies, Rural Sociology, or a closely related field

    ● A strong interest in sustainability, rural innovation, gender equity, and inclusive business development

    ● Research aptitude with strong analytical and academic writing skills in English

    ● Experience in qualitative or mixed-methods research is preferred

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. A motivation letter outlining research interests and fit with the Solar Food project

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Academic transcripts and degree certificates

4. A writing sample (e.g., thesis, publication, or academic report)

5. Contact details of two academic referees

Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Please email your complete application (as a single PDF file) to roshee@kusom.edu.np with the subject: PhD Application – Solar Food Project.

For further inquiries, contact:

Asst. Prof. Roshee Lamichhane

Kathmandu University School of Management

Email: roshee@kusom.edu.np

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