Vacant job

The Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) is a research centre for resilience and sustainable development at Stockholm University. The Centre promotes scientific understanding of the complex, dynamic interactions between humans and nature in the biosphere; educates the next generation of researchers and leaders in sustainable development; and collaborates with change-makers who share our vision. The Centre is a joint initiative of Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. In total, SRC has approximately 165 employees.

More information about us can be found at: Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) (#).

Project Description

The Anthropocene Navigator project aims to identify robust strategies for coalition-building to achieve global sustainability in times of poly-crisis. The project combines mapping of key actors and engagement of diplomats with integrated human-earth system modelling to explore coalition-building strategies that can promote global sustainability goals, such as the global biodiversity framework, the 1.5°C target, and the zero-pandemics goal.

Job Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on agent-based and human-earth system modelling of coalition-building strategies for the implementation of the global biodiversity framework, with a particular focus on the 30x30 target and the transition to regenerative agriculture. A central part of the work is to analyse how international cooperation can enable transitions in land-use systems, including the role of regenerative agriculture in supporting biodiversity conservation, resilience against economic, environmental, and geopolitical shocks, and long-term sustainability in a poly-crisis context.

The postdoctoral researcher will work on agent-based and human-earth system modelling of coalition-building strategies between nation-states and other central actors. The work involves implementing selected Anthropocene traps (Søgaard Jørgensen et al. 2024) in the coupled modelling framework Copan:LPJmL (Breier et al. 2025).

The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary and international team and collaborate closely with key project partners, including Lan Wang Erlandsson, Jonathan Donges, Tim Waring, and Peter Søgaard Jørgensen. The work includes participation in international synthesis workshops with the project's collaboration partners.

Main responsibilities:

• Develop and apply agent-based/human-earth system models for coalition-building strategies.
• Implement selected Anthropocene traps in the Copan:LPJmL framework.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers and international partners.
• Contribute to high-quality scientific publications and project deliverables.
• Participate in the project's synthesis workshops and stakeholder engagement activities.

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD degree or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a relevant PhD degree is required. The degree must be completed no later than when the employment decision is made.

Assessment Criteria

It is an advantage if the PhD degree or equivalent was awarded no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, a previously awarded degree may also be considered advantageous. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, trust-based positions within trade unions, service in the total defence, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service relevant to the subject area.

During the appointment process, particular emphasis will be placed on scientific competence. We are looking for candidates with:

• A PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g., sustainability science, system modelling, physics, earth sciences, ecology, or political science).
• Documented experience in agent-based modelling and/or integrated human-earth system modelling.
• Proven ability to design and analyse complex model-based studies.
• Skills in programming and working with large-scale modelling frameworks.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience in publishing peer-reviewed research articles.
• Excellent written and spoken English (Swedish is not a requirement).

Experience with sustainability transitions, coalition-building, or political/agent-based modelling is advantageous.

About the Position

The position is full-time and permanent, but for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension if there are special reasons. Start date as soon as possible or by agreement.

We are conducting ongoing interviews, so please send your application today.

What We Offer

Here, you will experience the dynamics of the interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international setting and enjoy favourable terms. The university is located in the National Urban Park with good connections to the city centre.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination, offering equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

Contact

Information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Peter Søgaard Jørgensen, phone 072-143 82 88, [email protected].

Application

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

Guidelines for applicants can be found on the website: applying for a position.

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