Postdoctoral Researcher in Intergroup Relations and Social Change

The Department of Psychology is a creative and international workplace for education and research with approximately 200 employees.

Over 1000 individuals study in our various programs, from undergraduate to doctoral level, including psychology programs, psychotherapy programs, and specialist training. We also conduct highly successful research in several areas, including work and organizational psychology, psychophysics and perception, stress, biological psychology, clinical psychology, cognition, social psychology, and developmental psychology. The department has its own psychological clinic for research and training with around 4000 visits per year.

More information about us can be found at: Department of Psychology (https://www.su.se/enheter/psykologiska-institutionen).

Project Description

The research group Intergroup Relations and Social Change at the Department of Psychology is now seeking candidates for a two-year postdoctoral position within the ERC-funded project “Healing Societies: the impact of social context on intergroup reconciliation.” The overall goal of the project is to systematically investigate how social context affects the effectiveness, processes, and sustainability of intergroup interventions in communities affected by intergroup conflict.

The project includes large-scale longitudinal (online and field-based) experiments in various conflict-affected countries and is based on data from representative, heterogeneous, and community-based samples. Together with Professor Čehajić-Clancy, the selected candidate will work on designing and evaluating field interventions with community-based samples in conflict contexts.

Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher in the group, you will lead one of the work packages within the “HEAL” project, which aims to understand how social context influences intergroup reconciliation. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and evaluating intergroup interventions in the field to understand which interventions, under which contextual conditions, can facilitate or hinder intergroup reconciliation. You will also have the opportunity to develop your own studies under supervision. The position is 100% research-based and funded by the ERC project “HEAL.”

Your responsibilities include designing and conducting field experiments, coordinating studies across multiple locations, which involves collaboration with several international research groups, data analysis, and writing scientific articles.

Our research group collaborates with other research groups around the world (within this and other projects), providing opportunities for international exchanges and collaborations.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the postdoctoral position, a completed doctoral degree or a foreign degree assessed to be equivalent to a relevant doctoral degree is required. The degree must be obtained by the time the employment decision is made.

Assessment Criteria

It is meritorious if the doctoral degree or equivalent has been obtained no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an earlier obtained degree may also be considered meritorious. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, trust assignments within trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or relevant service/assignments for the subject area.

The assessment criteria include:

• Doctoral degree in psychology or a relevant field.
• Excellent academic merits, including publications in high-quality international scientific journals.
• Very good knowledge of English (spoken and written).
• Documented experience in designing and/or conducting field experiments.
• Advanced statistical analysis skills, including multilevel analyses.
• Strong research focus on intergroup relations.

About the Position

The position is full-time for two years, with the possibility of extension if there are special reasons. Start date is September 1, 2026, or by agreement.

We Offer

With us, you will experience the dynamics of the interplay between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international setting and receive favorable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good connections to the city. The Department of Psychology operates on the Albano campus.

Stockholm University is committed to being a workplace free from discrimination and providing equal rights and opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Sabina Čehajić-Clancy, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a cover letter and CV, as well as the requested documents in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete and that it is submitted to the university no later than the application deadline.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: How to apply for a position (https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-p%C3%A5-su/att-s%C3%B6ka-en-anst%C3%A4llning).

Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment, and the pursuit of truth.