Postdoctoral position in war studies with a focus on gender, peace, and security

Published: 20 March 2026

The Swedish Defence University is an internationally renowned university in the area of defence, crisis management and security. We offer a unique academic environment where military and civilian researchers, teachers and students interact. We educate and train top-level executives, experts, and researchers for the task of analyzing and managing current and future crises, security issues and conflicts. The university educates all military officers in the Swedish armed forces and leads the academic progression of the military profession. We conduct research in the areas of Law with a focus on International and Operational Law, Leadership and Command & Control, Military History, Political Science, Systems Science for Defence and Security and War Studies. The Department of War Studies conducts research and education in the subject of War Studies. War Studies is a social science whose central object of study is war and the use of force. The discipline contains research on how military capability is created, led, organized, maintained over time and comes into effect in operations, in wars, conflicts and crises. War Studies also includes social and ethical aspects as well as critical perspectives in relation to war and warfare. The discipline has both a general theoretical and knowledge-based dimension, as well as a practical and applied dimension linked primarily to the education of officers. The Swedish Defence University is the only university in Sweden where the discipline is taught. You can read more about the discipline here: https://www.fhs.se/en/swedish-defence-university/education/programmes-and-courses/our-subjects/war-studies.html Thanks to its unique education programme in the officer profession, the department offers a stimulating working and learning environment that combines both academic and military expertise.

The position is located at the Division of Functions and Perspectives at the Department of War Studies in Stockholm.

Description of the project

This postdoctoral position aims to conceptually and theoretically engage with how anti-feminist backlash manifests in post-conflict contexts experiencing democratic backsliding and/or rising authoritarianism. A focus on Latin America is preferred, but not mandatory. The position will involve comprehensive feminist research on the implications of authoritarianism for gender equality and women’s rights. It will also explore feminist mobilization and strategies to adapt and overcome backlash in shrinking space for civil society. This position will explore the linkages between women’s mobilization, militarization, authoritarianism, and the quality of democracy. 

Work tasks

Your main responsibilities involve independently designing and conducting research in war studies with a focus on gender. The research will focus on militarization, authoritarianism, and anti-feminist backlash, by analyzing civil society responses to, for example, anti-protest tactics and repression. The research will be carried out within the sub-discipline of feminist security studies. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with other researchers in the War Studies department, specifically with the Gender, Peace and Security team and the Wallenberg Academy Fellow. International fieldwork will be required. Active participation in and support for the GPS research group’s collective activities is expected.

Research constitutes 80% of the working hours. There is the possibility of working with teaching and supervision up to 20%.

Qualification requirements

By the date of entry, the applicant must have completed a PhD in a social science subject of high relevance to the position (e.g. political science, sociology, international relations).
The applicant’s research must be judged to be in line with and able to contribute to the department's research in the field of War Studies.
Professional proficiency in English is required for the position, and proficient knowledge of local languages (relevant to the applicant’s research sites) is an asset.
Experience in independent research that draws on interpretive, participatory, and ethnographic methodologies is required.
Experience in designing and undertaking research with a feminist approach to ethics is required.
Previous fieldwork experience and publication of peer-reviewed articles are highly valuable.

The degree must have been completed by the time the employment decision is made. Preference should be given to those who have completed their degree within the last three years. When calculating the three-year time frame, the starting point is the last application date. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, etc. Applicants must not have previously been employed as a postdoctoral researcher for more than one year in the same or a related subject area with the same employer.

In cases where there is no equal gender distribution, the Swedish Defence University may, in the case of equal or largely equal qualifications among applicants, employ the underrepresented applicant. Great importance is attached to personal suitability. To thrive and fit into the role, you should be motivated, structured and communicative, and have a good ability to take initiative and start new tasks. We expect you to actively participate in the department's research activities and enjoy working with others.

The following are considered meritorious:

• Experience of designing research using mixed methods and a feminist ethical approach.
• Experience of fieldwork in complex security contexts.
• Publication of articles in high-ranking peer-reviewed political science, gender studies, international studies, and sociology journals.

About the employment

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

Employment at the Swedish Defence University may require a security clearance in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585).

The position may also involve wartime placement. If you are already placed in your current position at a government agency and your expertise is needed in the Swedish Defence University's wartime organisation, negotiations will take place between the relevant agency and the Swedish Defence University regarding where you will be placed.

Commencement: According to agreement.

Salary and benefits: The Swedish Defence University applies individual salary setting.

Information about benefits for employees at the Swedish Defence University can be found here: FHS/Förmåner/anställd

Application

The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are qualified for the position (max. 1 page), a CV that includes scientific publications, and a copy of your doctoral degree. If you have not yet defended your thesis, please state your planned defence date in the application.

Applications must be submitted via the Swedish Defence University's recruitment system by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link on the advertisement page. The recruitment system contains a number of selection questions to answer. Here you fill in your experience and qualifications and upload everything you want to include in support of your application.

The complete application must be received by the Swedish Defence University no later than the application deadline at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Information about the position is provided by Professor Annick Wibben, annick.wibben@fhs.se, and researcher Julia Zulver, julia.zulver@fhs.se.

We welcome your application by 20 April 2026 at the latest!

To get in contact with union representatives please send an e-mail to saco@fhs.se, OFR/O@fhs.se and OFR/S@fhs.se In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence. Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

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