PhD Positions in Peace and Conflict Research

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research was established in 1971 with the aim of conducting research and offering education in the field of peace and conflict studies.

Today, the department is a dynamic and international workplace with approximately 90 staff members and around 1000 students from all over the world. More about the department's activities can be found at http://www.pcr.uu.se (http://www.pcr.uu.se).

We are now announcing:

• A general PhD position in Peace and Conflict Research

Applicants are requested to submit a project plan on a topic related to peace and conflict research.

• A PhD position in Peace and Conflict Research focusing on nuclear disarmament

The PhD candidate will be part of the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament at Uppsala University. AMC is a multidisciplinary center that brings together peace and conflict research, physics, and policy research. The PhD candidate will be placed at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research and is expected to research nuclear disarmament broadly defined. This may include issues of arms control, risk reduction, non-proliferation, and disarmament, and touch on themes such as negotiations and treaties on nuclear weapons, nuclear diplomacy, positive and negative sanctions, or emerging technologies such as advanced AI in nuclear disarmament and verification. The project should be situated in a tradition of peace and conflict research, and applicants are encouraged to develop ideas for innovative research through innovative scientific methods (quantitative or qualitative). The PhD candidate has the freedom to define and develop their project idea within the framework of AMC's overall goals (visit the website http://www.uu.se/amc (http://www.uu.se/amc) for more information), and applicants should submit a project plan on this topic as part of their application. Further information can be obtained from the director of AMC ([email protected] (mailto:[email protected])).

Job Responsibilities:

The holder of a PhD position will primarily engage in their own doctoral education. Other duties at the department related to teaching and administrative work may be included within the framework of the employment (max 20%) upon decision by the head of department.

Qualifications:

For employment as a PhD candidate, it is required that the holder is admitted or will be admitted to doctoral education where the ability to benefit from the education is crucial. For further information about admission requirements, application, etc., please refer to the Department of Peace and Conflict Research's website, https://www.uu.se/en/department/peace-and-conflict-research/study/phd-programme-in-peace-and-conflict-research (https://www.uu.se/en/department/peace-and-conflict-research/study/phd-programme-in-peace-and-conflict-research).

Application Procedure:

The application should be in English, should be submitted digitally, and must include:

• a completed application form for admission to doctoral education
• a short cover letter (1-2 pages)
• CV
• certified copies of academic documents
• a project plan (3-5 pages, excluding reference list) related to the topic mentioned above. If you are applying for both positions, it is possible, but not necessary, to submit two separate project plans. However, please note that the project plan regarding the position with a specific focus must concentrate on that subject
• reference letters (max 2) or a list of referees who can be contacted (max 2)
• academic papers and articles (1-3 pieces)
• indicate via the selection question in the web forms whether the application pertains to 1) the general PhD position, 2) the one with a specific focus, or 3) both the general position and the one with a specific focus.

Applicants may use AI tools to enhance their application. However, if you use AI tools, we encourage you to be cautious and use them to improve the presentation of your application, not to formulate your research question, develop your theoretical framework, or specify your research design. We receive hundreds of qualified applications, which means that applications that have been entirely or partially generated using AI are likely to be too general and nonspecific to be competitive.

To write the application, you need the application form “Admission to Doctoral Education.” Using the study plan in the research subject, you should check that you meet both the general and specific eligibility requirements for doctoral studies in the subject. Detailed instructions can be found here (https://www.uu.se/en/department/peace-and-conflict-research/study/phd-programme-in-peace-and-conflict-research/how-to-apply-to-phd-programme-in-peace-and-conflict-research).

Regulations for doctoral candidates can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7, as well as in the university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se (http://regler.uu.se).

Uppsala University values the qualities that a balanced gender distribution and diversity bring to the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of all genders and with different backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences.

Salary: According to the local collective agreement for doctoral candidates.

Start date: 2026-09-01 or by agreement.

Employment form: Fixed-term employment according to HF Chapter 5, § 7.

Extent of employment: 100%

For inquiries about the positions, please contact: Desirée Nilsson (Director of Doctoral Studies PCR); email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

For questions regarding the position with a specific focus, contact Lisa Hultman (Director of AMC); email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

We welcome your application by March 25, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/218.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/).

The employment may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment in the security clearance process is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Seko - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), ST (OFR/S) - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])