Vacant job

The Swedish Defence University is an internationally leading institution within defence, crisis management, and security. We offer a unique academic environment where civilian and military aspects meet. We educate civilian and military leaders, experts, and researchers who are to analyze and handle current and future crisis situations and security problems. The Swedish Defence University educates Sweden's officers and leads the academic development of the officer profession. We conduct research within law with a focus on operational law and international law, defence systems, military science, leadership and command, military history, and political science. Defence systems is a subject at the intersection of social sciences and engineering that examines how technical and social components affect the systems used for society's defence and security. Within the subject of defence systems, both research and education cover topics such as how military units with new equipment should be organized, how the next generation of fighter aircraft should be designed to achieve the greatest possible air defence effect, or other critical societal areas such as energy supply under demanding conditions. Read more about the subject and our activities here: https://www.fhs.se/utbildning/vara-amnen/forsvarssystem.html (https://www.fhs.se/utbildning/vara-amnen/forsvarssystem.html)

Responsibilities

The Research Assistant is expected to contribute to mapping and analyzing the state of knowledge regarding the possibilities of achieving increased military strategic effects through various forms of collaboration between strategic communication, cognitive warfare, influence operations, and cyber capabilities in a Swedish context. The responsibilities may also include supporting the planning and implementation of seminars, workshops, and meetings with the project's stakeholders.

Your main responsibilities involve systematizing and analyzing previous research, independent writing, and other research-related tasks, including administration. The work particularly includes systematic literature reviews, mapping relevant research, analyzing grey literature, doctrines, policy documents, and strategic documents, as well as compiling central themes, research gaps, and practical relevance. The responsibilities may also include supporting the planning and implementation of seminars, workshops, and meetings with the project's stakeholders.

The work has a clear applied focus where you, together with other project members, produce materials, analyses, and recommendations that are directly usable by the Swedish Armed Forces.

The position is located in Stockholm.

Who are we looking for?

The applicant must have at least a master's degree in a subject relevant to the project. Knowledge of research regarding strategic communication, cognitive warfare, influence operations, and cyber capabilities from a Swedish context is meritorious. You must have a good ability to express yourself in writing in Swedish and English.

Doctoral studies, an officer background, as well as practical experience of working in the field are meritorious.

Personal qualities

We see that you have good collaboration skills, high social competence, and thrive in meeting new people. You are self-reliant as a person and take responsibility for your tasks. Furthermore, you are structured, meticulous, and analytical. You thrive in an environment where researchers, officers, and other practitioners collaborate closely.

To thrive with us, you need to be engaged and present, and you want 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 work environment.

We will place great emphasis on your personal qualities.

About the position

This is a fixed-term position, full-time, for six months with a possible opportunity for extension.

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

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

Start date

Start date as soon as possible or according to agreement.

Salary and benefits

The Swedish Defence University applies individual salary setting.

Benefits for employees at the Swedish Defence University - FHS/Benefits/employee.

Application

The application should include a CV and previous academic works (thesis) and be submitted 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 ref HR 119/2026. Your application must be submitted no later than 2 August 2026.

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

During July, the response time to questions about the position may be longer than usual due to holiday periods.

In cases where there is no gender balance, the Swedish Defence University may, with equal or almost equal qualifications among the applicants, employ the person of the underrepresented sex.

Welcome to submit your application by 2 August 2026!