Research Position in Military History

The Swedish Defence University is an internationally renowned institution in defense, crisis management, and security. We offer a unique academic environment where civilian meets military. We educate civilian and military leaders, experts, and researchers who will analyze and manage today's and future crisis situations and security issues. The Swedish Defence University trains Sweden's officers and leads the academic development of the officer profession. We conduct research in law with a focus on operational law and international law, defense systems, military science, leadership and management, military history, and political science.

The military historical research at the Swedish Defence University aims to support officer education by examining various aspects of the military profession and the history of warfare, as well as aspects of the relationship between military power and society in the past, which are significant in today's context. Through close collaboration with historical research environments outside the Swedish Defence University, the scientific relevance and broader societal benefit of the research are secured.

Description

This announcement concerns a fixed-term position as a researcher in military history, based at the Department of Military History at the Swedish Defence University. The position is set to commence on September 1, 2026, or as agreed.

This announcement is backed by the Delegation for Military Historical Research (DMF), which aims to promote and support military historical research. Military historical research is defined as historical studies of military conflicts and phenomena in a broad sense. Particularly important is how war and the military have influenced society, culture, economy, and social relations.

Responsibilities

Your main responsibilities will involve research and/or planning of research in military history. The purpose of the researcher position is to provide the applicant with the opportunity to conduct research preparatory work (e.g., applications to external funders), preliminary studies, or research after completing their dissertation work. At the same time, the applicant is expected to actively participate in the department's research and educational environment to expand their network and contribute, as well as gain inspiration for continued research within the delegation's area of activity.

Teaching in a limited capacity may be included by agreement with the department head.

Who are we looking for?

The applicant must have obtained a doctoral degree at the time of application. Preference will be given to newly graduated researchers (within the last five years).

Individuals who have previously held a position announced by DMF cannot be considered for the position again.

Applications from eligible candidates will be assessed by DMF based on the following criteria:

• The military historical contribution, quality, and feasibility of the project description.
• Whether the applicant has defended their dissertation within the last five years.

Previous publications relevant to the position may be taken into account.

To thrive with us, you need to be an engaged and present individual who wants to contribute to the professional development, collegial cooperation culture, and social cohesion at the Swedish Defence University. It comes naturally to you to share your knowledge and contribute to creating a rewarding and good working environment.

About the Position

The position is a fixed-term full-time position for a maximum of six months.

A position at the Swedish Defence University may involve a security clearance according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585).

The position may also involve military placement. If you are already military placed in your current position at an authority and your competence is needed in the Swedish Defence University's military organization, negotiations will take place between the relevant authority and the Swedish Defence University regarding where you will be placed.

We welcome both Swedish and international applicants.

Start Date

Start date by agreement but no later than September 1, 2026.

Salary and Benefits

The Swedish Defence University applies individual salary setting.

Benefits for employees at the Swedish Defence University - FHS/Benefits/Employee.

Application

For your application to be processed, it must include the following:

• a project description in accordance with the instructions below
• a copy of the doctoral degree certificate
• a CV indicating the date of defense and current employment status
• a list of previous academic works the applicant wishes to invoke, (5) a copy of the doctoral dissertation and any other relevant publications.

The project description should be a maximum of 10,000 characters long, including spaces, excluding references. It should contain an account of the research project's problem statement, purpose, and research question(s), relation to previous research, if applicable theoretical perspective, method and material for implementation, any preliminary results, information on how the results will be reported (e.g., monograph, article, application to research councils), and, where relevant, an account of ethical aspects and any need for ethical review.

Applications should be submitted via the Swedish Defence University's recruitment system. Mark your application with HR 4/2026.

Complete applications must reach the Swedish Defence University by the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Welcome with your application by March 12, 2026!

For contact with the employee organizations at the Swedish Defence University, please email [email protected], OFR/[email protected], and OFR/[email protected].

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance due to government procurement regulations.