Mälardalen University seeks Postdoctoral Researcher in Collaboration

Mälardalen University (MDU) is Sweden's newest university. With our vision to be a progressive and collaborative university where we together shape a sustainable future, we aim to make a real difference.

Do you want to contribute to our development?

Together, we contribute to a more sustainable future through knowledge and innovation. We believe that new knowledge and perspectives are best created and achieved in collaboration with others - colleagues, students, industry, and the public sector both nationally and internationally.

Societal challenges cannot be solved alone, and collaboration is a prerequisite for innovative solutions to current and future challenges. Research on Collaboration (RoC) is a strategic initiative at MDU focusing on research about collaboration. Through RoC, MDU aims to deepen and disseminate knowledge about collaboration while strengthening the university's collaborative profile. The research environment is interdisciplinary and focuses on (1) organizing, managing, and governing collaboration and its consequences, (2) impact, results, and (un)desired consequences of collaboration, and (3) theories and innovative methods for the scientific study of collaboration. Within the framework of RoC, a Community of Practice is also being developed - a shared knowledge and interest arena for shared learning and knowledge exchange between parties from academia, civil society, industry, public sector, and politicians. The development of a Community of Practice is also one of the work packages that MDU leads in the SUNRISE alliance in the European University Initiative (EUI).

Employment Information

Employment type: Fixed-term employment
Extent: Full-time
Number of positions: 1
Application deadline: 2025-05-15
Location: Västerås or Eskilstuna
Academy: Determined based on the candidate's area of doctoral degree

Job Responsibilities

This position includes 20% institutional duties, such as teaching or other administration. 80% research in Research on Collaboration (RoC) on collaboration within the framework of the focus area impact of collaboration and its consequences.

Research tasks include developing survey materials, investigations, planning, coordinating various workshops, collecting and analyzing data, writing scientific texts, participating in funding applications, and other tasks related to RoC's activities, such as within the framework of CoP (Community of Practice) and SUNRISE and MDU collaboration platforms like the Social Contract. This entails close collaboration with researchers and stakeholders both internally and externally, as well as nationally and internationally.

A postdoctoral position aims to provide an opportunity to develop independence as a researcher and create conditions for further qualification after obtaining a doctoral degree. The employment can be fixed-term for a maximum of 2 years.

Eligibility Requirements

We are looking for someone who has obtained a doctoral degree in a relevant field such as innovation, political science, sociology, economics, business administration, or industrial economics and organization, no later than three years before the application deadline. You have not previously held a postdoctoral position in the same or related subject area at MDU that exceeds one year.

Competence in research on collaboration and experience studying impact, effects, and results related to collaboration is a requirement.

The applicant must be able to express themselves very well in English, both orally and in writing.

Assessment Criteria

Particular emphasis will be placed on the ability to write reports and scientific publications in English, both independently and in collaboration with researchers and non-researchers.

Desirable qualifications and experience include:

collaborating interdisciplinary in research
university collaboration in the surrounding society and private/public sector
experience from various international environments
experience from both academia and practice outside of academia
experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods

In a comprehensive assessment of suitability, personal abilities will also be considered. All employees at MDU are expected to collaborate and treat colleagues and students with respect, take responsibility for their work and tasks, and contribute to a good working environment.

For this position, we particularly welcome candidates with a positive attitude, an open mind to different perspectives, and a pragmatic approach to solving problems and the ability to navigate complex contexts and challenges whose structures are still unknown and under development. You have the ability to independently conduct research-based investigations and the willingness to contribute both individually and collectively to the research environment.

We value the qualities that a balanced age and gender distribution, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity, bring to the organization.

Application

You can apply by clicking the “Apply” button below.

The scientific publications that you cannot attach in digital form to your application should be sent by post to:

Mälardalen University
HR Department
Ref.no: 2025/0338
Box 883
721 23 Västerås

As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and received by the university no later than the application deadline.

Welcome with your application!