Postdoctoral researcher in War Studies with a focus on Space Power Theories and Strategy

Published: 14 June 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. The department has around 160 staff members and approximately 1,000 students and participants in commissioned training programmes. The Department offers education at all levels within the framework of four programmes: the Officer Programme (undergraduate level), the Advanced Officer Programme (postgraduate level), the Master’s Programme in War and Defence (postgraduate level), and doctoral studies in Military Science (research level). In addition, commissioned education is also provided through a number of stand-alone courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 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.

The position is based at the Air and Space Division at the Department of War Studies in Stockholm.

Project description

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the subproject Space Power Theories and Warfare in the Space Domain, funded by the Swedish Armed Forces. The position focuses on advancing understanding, ideas, and concepts related to the development of space power theory. The research forms part of a broader effort to establish a stronger research environment dedicated to the study of space as an operational domain from a Swedish perspective. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with related subprojects within the Systems Science for Defence and Security Department and in partnership with the Swedish Armed Forces.

We are seeking candidates with an interest in developing research on wargaming.

Work tasks

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to contribute to the project by designing and conducting appropriate studies in consultation with the project leader. The work is to be reported in the form of scholarly publications in international, high-ranking journals or with reputable academic publishers. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with other scholars at the department as well as within international research networks.

Research accounts for 80% of the total working hours. There are opportunities to work with teaching and supervision up to 20%.

The position also includes participation in other activities within the framework of the Swedish Defence University’s military programmes, as well as supporting subject development, primarily within this area of specialization. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to collaboration and the development of partnerships with the Swedish Armed Forces, other government agencies, industry, academic institutions, countries, and organizations relevant to the advancement of the research field.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, the applicant must hold a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctorate, in a field relevant to the research area. This primarily refers to a discipline within the social sciences, although applicants from other fields are also welcome provided they demonstrate a relevant research profile. The degree requirement must be fulfilled no later than the time at which the employment decision is made.

Preference will be given to applicants who have obtained their doctoral degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. In calculating this three-year period, the point of reference is the final date for applications. If there are special circumstances, the degree may have been awarded earlier. Such circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, or elected positions within trade union organizations, among others.

Applicants must not previously have been employed as a postdoctoral researcher for more than one year in the same or a closely related

subject area with the same employer.

Applicants must, at a minimum, be able to understand spoken and written Swedish. Candidates who do not possess sufficient proficiency in Swedish at the time of appointment will be expected to acquire the necessary language skills within two years of employment.

Significant emphasis will be placed on personal suitability. To thrive in this role, the candidate should be motivated, well-organized, and communicative, with a strong ability to take initiative and independently commence new tasks. We expect the successful candidate to actively engage in the department’s research activities and to work effectively in collaboration with others.

Meritorious

• Documented research expertise social science research with a focus on space-related issues.
• Demonstrated experience of both independent and collaborative research.
• Excellent communication skills and full proficiency in English, both spoken and
• Knowledge of, and prior studies and publications related to, military operations, crisis management, or civil defence/total
• Knowledge of and experience related to activities and operations within NATO.

About the employment

This is a fixed-term, full-time position for two years under the central collective agreement, 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 involve a security clearance in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585).

The position may also involve wartime deployment. If you are already assigned to wartime duties in your current role at a government agency and your skills are required within the Swedish Defence University’s wartime organisation, negotiations will take place between the relevant agency and the Swedish Defence University regarding your placement.

Start date by agreement.

The Swedish Defence University applies individual salary setting.

Employee benefits at the Swedish Defence University - FHS/Benefits/employee.

Application

The application must include a cover letter in which you explain why you are qualified for the position (maximum 1 page), a CV including scientific publications, and a copy of your PhD degree certificate. If you have not yet completed your PhD, please state your expected graduation date in your application.

Applications must be submitted via the Swedish Defence University’s recruitment system by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link on the job advertisement page. The complete application must be received by the Swedish Defence University no later than midnight on the closing date, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Further information regarding the position can be obtained from Associate Prof. Lt Col Kent Andersson, kent.andersson@fhs.se.

From Midsummer onwards (The 19th of June), response times to enquiries regarding employment may be longer than usual due to the summer holiday period. Enquiries received during this period may, in some cases, not be answered until after the vacation period has ended.

We look forward to receiving your application by August 16th 2026!

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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