University Lecturer in Rural Development

The Department of Urban and Rural Development at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is seeking a university lecturer in rural development with a focus on the Global South. The lecturer we are looking for is interested in developing the department's teaching and conducting critical social science research within the broad field of rural development in the Global South, preferably in close collaboration with local researchers and practitioners. Research is often interdisciplinary and in collaboration with the surrounding community.

At SLU, research, teaching, and environmental analysis are conducted in various environments such as forests, agricultural landscapes, and water and seas in both urban and rural areas, in Sweden and globally, where environmental analysis provides knowledge support for decision-makers and managing authorities. The subject of rural development is organizationally part of the Department of Urban and Rural Development at the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences. The department has developed a robust and viable operation with approximately 170 employees through targeted efforts. In addition to rural development, the department includes the subject areas of environmental communication, landscape architecture, agrarian history, and political science. The department is responsible for about 80 courses within seven educational programs at the undergraduate level, including master's programs in rural development and environmental communication, as well as professional programs in agronomy, rural development, and landscape architecture, and the political science bachelor's program in sustainable development. The department is the largest within SLU for social sciences, humanities, and design. Issues concerning the sustainable use of natural resources and landscapes are central to both research and teaching. The close integration with the Department of Economics and several natural science departments focused on the Global South creates significant opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

The position of university lecturer is based at the Department of Rural Development in Uppsala. The department has two subject areas: rural development with a focus on the Global South and rural development with a focus on Sweden and Europe.

Subject Description
The subject is rural development in the Global South and is based on critical social science perspectives.

Job Responsibilities
The holder shall within the subject of the appointment:

• develop and lead internationally prominent research
• develop, lead, and participate in teaching at undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels
• apply for external research funding
• supervise doctoral students
• collaborate with other research groups within SLU to strengthen the university's interdisciplinary activities.
• develop and maintain national and international networks with academia, relevant authorities, industries, organizations, and the surrounding community.
• contribute to the strategic development of the department, faculty, and SLU.
• communicate research results and contribute to the dissemination of relevant information to the surrounding community.
• perform administrative tasks within the department, faculty, and university.

The department has a bilingual working environment. The university lecturer will be able to perform most of their tasks in English. As a government agency, the university has Swedish as its main language according to the Language Act's requirements, and the holder is expected to be able to work in Swedish within four years of taking up the position. The department will support the holder in achieving this.

Eligibility
The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• PhD or equivalent scientific competence
• scientific proficiency in the subject of the appointment
• pedagogical proficiency and the ability to integrate research and a scientific approach in their teaching
• good knowledge of English

Assessment Criteria
Note: This is a shortened advertisement to fit into the job bank's advertising system. See the full advertisement at: SLU - job vacancies.

Application Deadline:
2026-04-13

Location:
Uppsala

Extent:
100%

Employment Form:
Permanent

Start Date:
By agreement

Application:
It is desirable that the application be written in English, as applications will be assessed by experts both in Sweden and abroad.

For guidance in your application, you can read SLU's Employment Regulations for teachers at SLU and General Assessment Criteria for employment of teachers here (https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/).

Welcome with your application via the application button below.

Union Contact Persons:
Union Contact Persons (https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/)

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) plays a key role in the development of sustainable living, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems and responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main locations are Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational sites throughout the country.

SLU has over 4000 employees, 6000 students and doctoral candidates, and a turnover of over 4.5 billion SEK. The university invests in attractive environments on its campuses. We strive for an equal and inclusive working environment where open conversations between people with different experiences lay the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.