Postdoctoral researcher

Department of Urban and Rural Development

TransRein – About the transition to reindeer pastoralism

About the position

The postdoctoral researcher we are seeking will be part of the ERC-funded project TransRein. TransRein focuses on the profound transformation that took place across northern Eurasia—from the Atlantic coast to the Bering Strait—during the early modern period, as societies based on hunting, fishing, and small reindeer herds transitioned to large-scale reindeer herding (reindeer pastoralism). This was a transformation that fundamentally affected people and societies.

The duties include research and academic publishing within the TransRein project. Other duties may include teaching or organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, etc. These other duties may account for a maximum of 20% of the position.

The research project entails investigating the historical transition from hunting and fishing societies to pastoralism through a comparative analysis that situates Sámi society in relation to similar historical transformations among other pastoralist groups. Of particular interest is the question of the social mechanisms enabling such changes: how households form, maintain, and transform social relations and networks.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a key role in the project’s scientific development. There is considerable scope—in dialogue with the principal investigator and other project members—to refine and develop research questions, theoretical perspectives, and approaches regarding how and why these types of societal transformations occur. A central aspect of the project’s working method is close scientific collaboration, where research ideas, methods, and results are developed jointly, and where we typically co-author publications. You will thus become an active part of the project’s collaborative research efforts.

Your profile

A doctoral degree in history or a related discipline (e.g., anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, or cultural geography) is required. Documented research experience regarding pastoralism and/or sound knowledge of Sámi cultural history is considered a merit. Experience in interdisciplinary work—particularly focusing on the connections between historical perspectives and those from the natural sciences or ecology—is also a merit. Excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are required. A track record of scholarly publication in international, peer-reviewed journals is considered a merit. Great importance will be attached to personal qualities; we particularly value curiosity, attention to detail, strong critical thinking skills, good collaborative ability, and the capacity to work independently.

The position is intended for a junior researcher, and we are primarily seeking individuals who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years ago. If there are special grounds, the degree may have been completed earlier. Special grounds refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust in trade unions, service in the total defense, or similar circumstances.

About us

At the Department of Urban and Rural Development, we are conducting undergraduate education, doctoral education, research, and collaboration across five divisions: agricultural history, landscape architecture, rural development, environmental communication, and the division of political science and natural resource management, which includes Sida's helpdesk for environmental assessment. The department also houses the Centre for Nature Interpretation (CNV). It is the largest department at SLU for social sciences, humanities, and design. Issues regarding the sustainable use of natural resources and landscapes are central in the department's research, teaching, and collaboration. Around 160 people are employed at the department.

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 36 months.

Scope:

100%

Start date:

January 2027 or as agreed

Application:

Please submit your application before deadline 10 November 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Specific documents to be attached to the application: The application must contain (1) a motivation letter describing your research interests and relevant experience; (2) CV with full publication list, (3) contact information of two to three referees.

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.