Vacant job

Postdoctoral Researcher in Digital Humanities with a focus on Historical Studies (Natural Resources and Society)

This is a postdoctoral position within the project “Making public property. A Digital history of allemansrätten in Sweden and Finland, 1880–1950” (Swedish Research Council 2024-02209, PI Matti La Mela). The project investigates the emergence and significance of the right of public access (allemansrätten) through digital analysis of historical source material, with a particular focus on how access to nature and natural resources has been formulated and contested over time. The aim is to re-evaluate established interpretations of the right of public access and to understand how open access rights developed in parallel with the increasing commercialization of natural resources (such as wild berries and mushrooms).

The research combines sources such as newspapers, parliamentary debates, court cases, and official documents with methods from digital humanities (e.g., computer-assisted text analysis), particularly the analysis of digitized historical text corpora, in combination with qualitative historical analysis.

The Department of ABM (Archival Science, Library and Information Science, and Museum and Heritage Studies) conducts research and education in heritage, information practices, and digital humanities. Education is offered at the advanced level within the master's programmes in ABM and Digital Humanities, as well as at the doctoral level in Library and Information Science. The Centre for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences Uppsala (CDHU) is affiliated with the department and supports research with expertise in data management, digital methods, and research infrastructure.

Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the postdoctoral researcher are to conduct research within the project, as well as some teaching duties. The postdoc is expected to plan, conduct, and independently develop research within the project's framework, with a focus on historical perspectives on the right of public access and related issues concerning natural resources, access, and usage.

The postdoc will work with digitized historical text corpora as well as archival material and is expected to contribute to the development of digital working methods within the project. The position may also include some research administrative tasks. The postdoc is expected to publish and present research results in international scientific contexts and to actively participate in the research environment at the Department of ABM.

The position is primarily research-focused but includes teaching amounting to a maximum of 20%, primarily within the master's programme in Digital Humanities. Teaching in the ABM master's programme may also occur.

Qualification Requirements

A PhD in Digital Humanities, History (including various historical specializations), or another relevant humanities subject, such as historically oriented social sciences, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD. The degree must be obtained by the deadline for applications. Priority will be given to candidates who obtained their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. In special cases, the degree may have been obtained earlier.

Very good oral and written skills in English are required.

Good ability to independently plan and conduct research and to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Demonstrated proficiency in research relevant to the focus of the position.

Basic knowledge of Swedish, with some ability to work with archival material and printed historical sources in Swedish.

Merits

Experience working with digital methods in research, such as analysis of digitized sources, geographical analysis, machine learning-based methods, or work with historical databases.

Experience in research on Nordic history, societal and epistemological perspectives on natural resources and ownership, or human-environment relations, as well as experience working with public sources such as legislation, newspapers, and parliamentary debates.

Pedagogical experience, particularly in Digital Humanities or within Archival, Library and Information Science, and Museum and Heritage Studies.

The application must include:

• Cover letter (1 page, focusing on concrete examples of how previous experience contributes to the project's execution)
• Research plan (1-2 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• List of publications
• A selection of 1-3 scientific works (including the doctoral dissertation)
• Proof of PhD degree
• Two references (contact details)

About the position

The position is a fixed-term postdoctoral appointment for 2 years according to the central collective agreement. The scope is full-time. Start date: 2026-09-01 or by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

Information about the position is available from: Matti La Mela, Project Leader, [email protected], +46 18 471 75 67, or Olle Sköld, Head of Department, [email protected], +46 18 471 15 89.

We welcome your application by Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Ref: UFV-PA 2026/1047.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. Our 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 country's most exciting workplaces.

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

The position may be subject to a security clearance. In the event of a security clearance, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved.

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received via Uppsala University's recruitment system.

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