Postdoctoral Fellow in Social Sciences

Stockholm University

Institution: Stockholm University, Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC)
Location: Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Type of Employment: Full-time, temporary (2–3 years, possible extension)
Reference Number: SU FV-0742-26
Start Date: 1 June 2026 (or as agreed)
Application Deadline: 7 April 2026
Contact: Prof. Laura Pereira, laura.pereira@su.se

About the Centre

The Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) investigates how people and nature can thrive under planetary pressures. SRC collaborates with the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and transformative change.

More information: Stockholm Resilience Centre

Project Overview

SURPRISES: Building anticipatory governance of social-ecological tipping points in transformative change planning for ocean sustainability

The project aims to:

• Identify visions and pathways for sustainable, equitable coastal and marine futures in African ocean basins
• Understand social-ecological tipping points and their implications
• Apply participatory futures approaches to co-develop nature-positive visions under uncertainty
• Scale regional visions (Western Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Benguela, Gulf of Guinea) to a pan-African Ocean vision, aligned with IUCN’s Great Blue Wall initiative

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the development and deployment of participatory workshop methods across regional case studies
• Analyze results and prepare reports/publications as lead author
• Work closely with students to develop pan-African scenarios
• Contribute to project management and workshop logistics as needed
• Support the African Tipping Points Report and take on leadership opportunities

Qualification Requirements

• Swedish doctoral degree or equivalent from another country, completed by the employment decision
• Strong research skills and track record in social-ecological, sustainability, or futures-oriented research

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with scenario development, participatory visioning, or pathway modeling
• Ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods
• Experience in participatory processes with diverse stakeholders
• Knowledge of sustainability transformations, ideally in African contexts
• Strong research design, management, and coordination skills
• Academic publishing record appropriate for career stage
• Excellent English; proficiency in French, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili, or other African coastal languages is a bonus

Terms of Employment

• Full-time (100%)
• Duration: 2–3 years, with possible extension under special circumstances
• International, interdisciplinary research environment
• Location: Stockholm University, National City Park, Stockholm
• Salary: Individual salary setting

Application Instructions

• Apply via Stockholm University’s recruitment system
• Include a personal letter, CV, and any requested attachments
• Ensure the application is complete and submitted before the deadline
• Recommended language: English

Instructions: How to apply for a position