Postdoctoral Positions in Peace and Conflict Research 2025 at Uppsala University (Starting: 1 December, 2025)

Uppsala University’s Department of Peace and Conflict Research is seeking 1-2 postdoctoral researchers for a groundbreaking project examining political violence in advanced democracies. This 2-year position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research funded by the prestigious Wallenberg Scholar grant.

About the Department

Established in 1971, the Department of Peace and Conflict Research has built a distinguished reputation in peace research and conflict studies education. The department currently employs approximately 90 staff members and serves around 1,000 students annually through undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including a comprehensive Ph.D. programme.

The Research Project: “Political Violence in Democracies”

This ambitious research initiative is funded by a Wallenberg Scholar grant from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and led by Professor Hanne Fjelde. The project addresses the critical challenge of understanding political violence threats within established democratic systems.

The research examines multiple dimensions of citizen attitudes toward political violence, including anti-establishment violence, state repressive actions, violent protests, and violent extremism. A key focus is understanding how violence or its threat influences democratic governance processes, either perpetuating or restraining factors that weaken democratic institutions.

Central to this investigation is the complex interplay between citizens’ democratic discontent and elite rhetoric in shaping perceptions of violence acceptability. The project also explores how violence impacts shifts in public opinion and broader democratic processes. The methodology combines survey-experimental evidence from multiple democratic countries with comprehensive observational data covering political violence, public opinion, voting behavior, and online discourse from both elites and citizens.

Position Details

Duration: 2 years
Start Date: December 1, 2025 (or by agreement)
Scope: Full-time (100%)
Location: Uppsala, Sweden

Role and Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will primarily conduct research aligned with the project theme, collaborating closely with the Principal Investigator and potentially other team members.
• Key responsibilities include taking a leading role in developing, designing, and coordinating quantitative data collection and analysis, publishing research findings in high-impact academic journals, utilizing additional funding provided for research-related costs, and engaging in some teaching activities within the department.

Required Qualifications

• Documented scholarly experience, preferably through peer-reviewed publications relevant to the project theme
• Ideal candidates possess expertise in one or more of the following areas: political behavior and democratic values, advanced quantitative research methods, and survey or field experiments.
• Fluency in English (both spoken and written) is mandatory.

Application Requirements

• Applicants must submit a personal letter (1-2 pages) explaining interest in the position and potential contributions to the project.
• A research statement (2-3 pages) summarizing relevant past research and current/future research interests.
• Comprehensive CV including publication list, names of references, and degree certificate or official transcript confirming completion of degree requirements
• For more information about the position and uploading of your application, please click here. 

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be evaluated based on demonstrated research skills, particularly in theory-driven empirical research, strong methodological capabilities, potential for meaningful project contributions, and publications relevant to the project theme.

Contact Information

For inquiries about the position, contact Professor Hanne Fjelde at hanne.fjelde@pcr.uu.se.

The application deadline is October 1, 2025. Reference number: UFV-PA 2025/2198.

About Uppsala University

Uppsala University stands as a comprehensive research institution with strong international recognition. The university’s mission centers on conducting education and research of the highest quality and relevance to create meaningful societal impact. With 7,600 employees and 53,000 students, Uppsala University represents one of Sweden’s most dynamic academic environments.

The position may be subject to security vetting, and successful completion of this process is required for employment eligibility. Applications must be submitted through Uppsala University’s recruitment system. This is a temporary, full-time position with individual salary arrangements.

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