Postdoctoral fellowship in AI Infrastructure for the Forest

Digital Forestry Lab conducts research on the digitalization of the forestry sector. Within the project, the postdoctoral researcher will conduct qualitative research on the establishment and use of the WIFORCE Arena Data Support Centre, a national research infrastructure that brings together data, expertise, and advanced computing resources for data-driven forest research.

Opportunities for professional development and career advancement

As a postdoctoral researcher in Informatics/Information Systems, you will have the opportunity to focus on your own academic development through research and publication within the field of forestry digitalization. The research focuses on how data, AI systems, and digital infrastructures are shaped, governed, and used within the forestry sector, and on the consequences these developments may have for transparency, accountability, inclusion, and fair decision-making processes.

The scholarship offers you the opportunity to deepen your methodological skills through qualitative, empirically driven research. The work includes interviews, participant observations, as well as document and artefact analysis related to the establishment and use of the WIFORCE Data Support Centre. The project offers a unique opportunity to follow the development of a national research infrastructure from its early stages. The research examines how data, AI systems, and digital infrastructures are shaped, governed, and used, and the implications these developments may have for inclusion, accountability, and fair decision-making processes.

About the scholarship

The fellowship covers a two-year period, commencing in the autumn of 2026 or by agreement. This tax-exempt, two-year fellowship is funded by the Kempe Foundations and amounts to SEK 360,000 per year. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to be present at the university throughout the duration of the fellowship.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the applicant must hold a doctoral degree in Informatics/Information Systems or another subject area relevant to the project. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the decision regarding the fellowship recipient is made. Priority will be given to candidates who obtained their degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Candidates who obtained their doctoral degree earlier may be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds include leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as employment or assignments relevant to the subject area.

The applicant is not expected to possess in-depth knowledge of forestry or the forest industry. However, it is important that the candidate is interested in conducting empirical studies of digitalization, AI, and digital infrastructure in a forestry context from an Information Systems perspective.

Proficiency in spoken and written English is required for the position. As the research project is empirically and qualitatively oriented, applicants must have experience with qualitative, empirical research. A PhD in Informatics or Information Systems with a focus on advanced qualitative methods is considered a particular merit. Applicants must also possess a basic understanding of AI systems or a demonstrated interest in sociotechnical perspectives on digitalization.

Other qualifications

To thrive in the role of postdoctoral researcher, a high level of scientific aptitude is required, including methodological competence, a solid theoretical foundation, and a proven ability to publish research. The role also demands strong collaborative skills and the ability to engage with stakeholders in the private and public sectors. Applicants are expected to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, as the position involves joining a larger research group (Digital Forestry Lab) comprising several active researchers. A high degree of initiative and a strong commitment to one’s own academic development are essential.

Application

Applications must be submitted via the e-recruitment system Varbi. The application must include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the scholarship and how your previous research experience aligns with the call. The letter should also include a brief reflection (max. 2 pages in total) on how you would methodologically approach qualitative studies of AI systems and decision-making processes within the forestry sector.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• List of publications
• A copy of your doctoral degree certificate or documentation indicating when the doctoral degree is expected to be awarded, as well as copies of other degree certificates, academic course transcripts, and/or grade reports.
• A copy of your doctoral thesis and up to five relevant articles.
• Contact details for two reference persons.

Department of Informatics

The Department of Informatics conducts research and education focused on the digitalization of society, organizations, and interaction. Digital technology has become an enabler of new ways of living and conducting business. In our research, we study these changes and the processes driving them, as well as the interplay between humans and technology, to understand the possibilities and limitations of technology. Our studies of digitalization span a wide range of contexts, including the public sector, media, gaming, entertainment, financial services, entrepreneurship, IT companies, the manufacturing industry, and retail. Read more about our research environment at www.umu.se/informatik.