Department of Urban and Rural Development

About the Job

At the Department of Rural Development, we conduct research, teaching, and collaboration focusing on justice, knowledge, and power within agriculture and forestry, natural resource management, and development in rural areas. We view rural areas as dynamic places shaped by networks of relationships between urban and rural on a global scale. Our research examines how notions of development affect rural areas both within and between the global north and global south.

For this position, we are seeking a researcher to join the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) team within the EU Biodiversa+-funded project Increasing Sustainability of Agribiologicals by Living Labs in sub-Saharan Africa (inSALSA). The project aims to increase the use of biological pest control in smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa as an alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. This is done by investigating farmers' attitudes, needs, and preferences in so-called living labs in Kenya and South Africa, as well as through a replication environment in Ethiopia and a capacity-building environment in Italy. The project focuses on the use of biological pest control against pests in tomato and potato cultivation. Living labs are led by local universities and combine social science and natural science research with technical development. Additionally, they include dialogues with stakeholders and connections to policy and practice.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work in a smaller research group at SLU under the leadership of Prof. Flora Hajdus and Dr. Johanna Bergman Lodin while collaborating with a larger research group from several European and African institutions. In this position, you will collect and analyze social science data from farmers participating in living labs, from the surrounding communities, and from policy actors in Kenya and South Africa. You are expected to be able to work independently on this. Publications are planned as joint efforts, which means you need to be open to collaborating with researchers from natural science disciplines and contributing to interdisciplinary publications.

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to be present at SLU in Uppsala at least three days a week during the semesters, when travel does not hinder this.

Your Background

For this position in rural development, a PhD in social sciences or humanities is required, alternatively in an interdisciplinary subject with significant elements of critical social science, such as sustainability studies. Since postdoctoral positions are career-developing positions for early-career researchers, we primarily seek candidates with a PhD that is no older than three years by September 2025 (excluding deductible time such as sick or parental leave). The applicant must have a PhD at the time of taking up the position.

Basic Qualifications:

Previous research experience from rural areas in the global south, preferably focusing on smallholder agriculture and gender perspectives on livelihoods in Africa
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
Good ability to independently design and conduct research tasks
Good collaborative skills
Personal suitability

Desirable Qualifications:

Experience in ethnographic fieldwork with participatory methods and interviews, particularly work with living labs
Experience in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) within program and project planning and follow-up
Ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary projects
Background in agronomy or practical experience in agriculture
Fieldwork experience from Kenya or South Africa
Knowledge of Kenyan or South African languages
Own networks relevant to the project
Experience in teaching, leadership, and institutional engagement at the university

Application should include:

A personal motivation letter describing your qualifications in relation to the listed qualifications
A CV including a publication list
Copies of all published publications. If you do not yet have any publications, please attach a brief description of your research (max two pages).
Contact details for two referees

The selection among the applicants who meet the basic qualifications will be based on the merits above, assessed through CV, publications, and personal motivation letter. A selection of candidates will be invited for an interview in May, after which references may be contacted. A second interview and/or a written test may be relevant as a final selection procedure. Applicants who do not proceed in the process will only be notified via the system when the position is filled (likely in June).

About Us

At the Department of Urban and Rural Development, undergraduate education, doctoral education, research, and collaboration are conducted in five departments: agrarian history, landscape architecture, rural development, environmental communication, and the department of political science and natural resource management, where Sida's helpdesk for environmental assessment and the Centre for Biological Diversity (CBM) are included. The department also includes the Centre for Nature Guidance (CNV). The department is the largest at SLU for social sciences, humanities, and design. Issues regarding the sustainable use of natural resources and landscapes are central to the department's research, teaching, and collaboration. Approximately 175 people are employed at the department.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/)