Vacant job

The Swedish Defence University is an internationally leading higher education institution within defence, crisis management, and security. We offer a unique academic environment where civilian and military perspectives meet.

About the Workplace

The position is located at the Department of Leadership and Management (ILL) in Stockholm.

Description of the Research Environment

The research environment "Leadership and Collaboration for Civil Defence" (LedSamCF) at the Swedish Defence University is based on a research frontier where issues concerning crisis leadership, total defence, EU-NATO governance, constitutional preparedness, civil-military collaboration, as well as social and organizational resilience, are central. International research points to the need for adaptive, network-based, and design-oriented ways of leading complex systems, but knowledge is still limited regarding how these principles can be applied in a civil defence context with many independent actors, distinct legal frameworks, and varying technical systems. Against this background, LedSamCF addresses an overarching problem statement: how can leadership, collaboration, and other forms of governance be designed, exercised, scrutinized, and developed so that the civil defence can be implemented effectively and be capable of handling simultaneous and overlapping crises and war threats in a legally secure, effective, and socially sustainable manner? The aim is to long-term build a nationally leading research environment that both develops the scientific knowledge base and delivers concrete solutions for the actors in total defence.

Job Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will primarily work with research within a theme titled "Design of Leadership and Collaboration Systems" within LedSamCF. The design perspective means that your research strives to develop new or improved solutions or design proposals for current problems and challenges within the field. Together with the other researchers in the environment, you will help build and develop the operations. This involves initiating, planning, and conducting research within the theme in dialogue with the commissioner. This includes, among other things, planning and conducting data collection, data analysis, writing articles, and presenting and making research results accessible in various ways. It will also be relevant to contribute to our leadership research conducted on behalf of the Swedish Armed Forces. There is an opportunity to work with teaching and supervision up to 20%, subject to agreement.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• At the time of application, the applicant must have completed a doctoral degree in a scientific subject assessed as relevant for the position (e.g., human-computer interaction, risk and security/crisis management, design science, systems science, psychology, organization, or cognitive science).
• The applicant's research must be assessed as being in line with, and able to contribute to, the current research environment and the department's research within leadership and management.
• Advanced level knowledge in Swedish and English is required for the position, as it involves significant contact with various stakeholders in the sector.
• Experience in designing and conducting research with a design-oriented perspective (what is the problem – a design/solution proposal is developed – evaluation of the design proposal).
• The applicant must not previously have been employed as a postdoctoral researcher for more than one year within the same or related subject area at the same employer.

Merits:

• Experience in research for leadership and collaboration, including knowledge of decision-making, problem-solving, and the relationship between situational awareness and situation understanding.
• Experience in designing research with mixed methods and a design-oriented approach.
• Experience in practice-oriented research in complex security contexts.
• Publication of articles in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals within, for example, human-computer interaction, risk and security/crisis management, design science, systems science, psychology, organization, or cognitive science.
• Preference is given to candidates who have completed their degree no more than three years ago. When calculating the three-year period, the starting point is the last day of application. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons include, for example, leave due to illness, parental leave, or trust positions within trade union organizations.

Do you not meet all the merit qualifications but believe the role suits you? Apply anyway!

Personal Qualities

To thrive and fit into the role, you should be motivated, structured, and communicative, as well as have a good ability to take initiative. We expect you to actively participate in the department's research activities and enjoy collaborating with others.

We are also looking for you who are an engaged and present individual and who wish to contribute to the Swedish Defence University's professional development, collegial collaboration culture, and social cohesion. It comes naturally to you to share your knowledge and contribute to creating a rewarding and good working environment.

Personal suitability is given great weight.

About the Employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment according to the central collective agreement for two years full-time with the possibility of extension for one year. Start date: as soon as possible or by agreement. Location: Stockholm.

Employment at the Swedish Defence University may involve a security clearance for placement in a security class, which implies a register check and, in some cases, a security interview with the Swedish Security Service.

The employment may involve war posting. If you are already war-posted in your current employment at an authority and your competence is needed in the Swedish Defence University's war organization, negotiations will take place between the relevant authority and the Swedish Defence University regarding where you should be placed.

Start Date

By agreement.

Salary and Benefits

The Swedish Defence University applies individual salary setting.

Application

The application must include a cover letter where you justify why you are qualified for the position (max 2 pages), a CV including scientific publications, and a copy of the doctoral degree. If you have not yet defended your thesis, state your planned defense date in the application.

Submit the application via the Swedish Defence University's recruitment system by clicking the link "Log in and apply for the job" on the ad page. Mark your application with reference number HR HR 103/2026. Your application must be submitted no later than August 14, 2026.

The complete application must be in the possession of the Swedish Defence University no later than the last day of application at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Welcome to submit your application no later than August 14, 2026!