Postdoctoral fellow in sustainability-related governance, accounting, and reporting in the food industry

Department of Economics

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow to pursue an independent research agenda within governance, accounting, and reporting in the food sector, with a particular focus on sustainability issues.

About the position

The position offers the opportunity to work both conceptually and empirically, for example, through data collection and analysis. The research may cover several different areas and actors in the food system. Examples of possible focuses are retail governance practices, sustainability reporting and measurement in the food system, and related issues of sustainable corporate finance.

We also welcome research related to the use of digital tools, greenhouse gas emission calculation practices, or biodiversity. Both critical and more positivist research approaches can be applied, depending on the proposed research questions and design.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues both within and outside SLU in financial management, sustainability accounting, and agricultural economics. The position may also benefit from synergies with ongoing projects at the Swedish and EU levels within the research group, including on climate goals and advisory services in the dairy sector.

Teaching students may be included in the work tasks, up to a maximum of 20% of the position.

Your profile

A PhD in business administration or a similar subject with a focus on management, accounting, or corporate/financial management must be completed before the start of the position. If the PhD has not yet been completed at the time of application, the planned date of the public defense must be stated in the application. A solid understanding of accounting, reporting, and financial management is important, and knowledge of sustainability aspects within these areas is a strong asset. Knowledge and experience of both qualitative and quantitative methods is a merit. Knowledge of and interest in the food and agricultural sector is also necessary for the position.

To succeed in the role, documented experience of conducting high-quality research is required. We are looking for someone who is analytical, organized, and highly motivated. You must be able to work independently as well as in team efforts to advance research. A very good knowledge of English is essential. Good Swedish skills are a merit. Personal qualities will play a significant role in the recruitment process.

About us

The Department of Economics conducts research and teaches in both business administration and economics. Unique to the department is that great importance is placed on applied science, often in collaboration with the university's natural science subjects. Our activities relate to the food chain and to environmental and sustainability issues - from farm to fork - and we are organized based on four research groups with a focus on: entrepreneurship and innovation, decision-making and business management, agricultural sector economics, and natural resource and environmental economics. On behalf of the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy, and Industry, we run the AgriFood Economics Center together with Lund University. The department has just over 65 employees, of whom about 17 are doctoral students.

The position will be placed within the research group Decision-Making and Management. We strive to develop high-quality, relevant research for both society and companies in the green sector. In this group, the successful candidate will work in a stimulating context with leading expertise and broad networks in experimental methods, behavioral decision-making, sustainability accounting, and financial and risk analysis. The research primarily focuses on farmers, food supply chains, and consumers. The group consists of 7 members, including two doctoral students, researchers, associate professors, and a professor. The successful applicant will also have good opportunities to learn from and socialize with other postdoctoral fellows at the department.

For more information about the department: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/economics/

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Location:

Uppsala.

Form of employment:

Temporary employment 24 months.

Scope:

100%

Start date:

As agreed. Preferably in August or September 2026.

Application:

Please submit your application before deadline 28 April 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

The application must contain:

1. CV including any publication list and contact information for at least two references who know the applicant and their qualifications.
2. Description of previous and ongoing research and a justification of the applicant's relevance to obtaining the position. Descriptions of preliminary research ideas are welcome. (Maximum two A4 pages.)
3. Copy of degree certificate, link to or copy of the doctoral dissertation, or proof of planned defense date.
4. If the applicant is from a country outside the EU and does not have English as a native language, an official certificate certifying knowledge of English is required.

Selected applicants will be invited to an interview.

Union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

 

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden. SLU has around 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.