Postdoctoral fellow at Stockholm Resilience Centre

Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) explores how people and nature can live and develop on a planet under pressure. The Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy Sciences. We bring people together from around the world to research, study and collaborate, for a thriving and resilient biosphere that enables well-being for all.

For more information about us, please visit: Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC).

Project description

The position will be part of the project “Diversity in process - Towards multispecies assemblages for biodiversity governance (MultiDiv)” funded through the Biodiversa+ Initiative “Biodiversity and Transformative Change” (www.biodiversa.eu). The interdisciplinary project brings together teams from Sweden, France, Tunisia, the Netherlands and Germany to study biodiversity challenges and their governance in selected case studies from a relational perspective. Building on the concept of multispecies assemblages and a processual understanding of the concept of diversity as situational and emergent, the project aims to provide a novel way of conceptualizing and addressing the interlinked problems of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. Multispecies assemblages (MSA) include humans as one species among others and allow attending to cross-scale entanglements and interferences of the triple crises. The project will configure multispecies assemblages of the blue crab in The Gulf of Gabès (Tunesia) and salinization in the Camargue (France). It will employ participatory mapping, interviews, ecological fieldwork, ethnography, arts-based methods and relation-based simulation modelling in transdisciplinary processes in order to examine ecological and socio-spatial change, existing biodiversity governance regimes and develop multispecies ethnographies to better understand the specific organization and spatiotemporal dynamics within MSA. This will open up opportunities for co-developing multispecies governance approaches with representatives of governance bodies and identifying ways to transform towards them.  Finally, we will synthesize our learning across cases to enhance causal multispecies understanding of biodiversity.

The postdoctor will work with the Swedish team but is expected to collaborate closely with the other partners, particularly the four postdocs located with the other teams. The research will involve developing conceptual and simulation models of MSA in collaboration with field researchers and through participating in transdisciplinary processes of configuring multispecies assemblages. The models will serve to explore the emergence of biodiversity challenges from relations within dynamic multispecies assemblages and support the development of multispecies governance scenarios in transdisciplinary engagements.

Main responsibilities

Main responsibilities are i) the development of relation-based model(s) of multispecies assemblages configured through inter- and transdisciplinary processes in the two case studies and their analysis to investigate how entanglements unfold and influence system dynamics, ii) supporting the exploration of multispecies governance scenarios; and ii) contributing to the further development of relation-based modeling methodology. Relation-based modeling builds on agent-based modeling but focuses on relations, not agents, and emphasizes the role of the researchers and their tools in constituting the model and the generated knowledge (Schlüter et al. 2025, Klein et al. 2024). The postdoc is also expected to support the scientific coordination of the project, as well as synthesis and comparison across the two case studies and the larger Mediterranean region. 

 * Schlüter, M., Hertz, T., Klein, A., Wijermans, N., 2025. Disentangling the entangled in productive ways: modelling social–ecological systems from a process-relational perspective. Sustainability Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-025-01648-0

* Klein, A., Unverzagt, K., Alba, R., Donges, J.F., Hertz, T., Krueger, T., Lindkvist, E., Martin, R., Niewöhner, J., Prawitz, H., Schlüter, M., Schwarz, L., Wijermans, N., 2024. From situated knowledges to situated modelling: a relational framework for simulation modelling. Ecosystems and People 20, 2361706. https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2024.2361706

Qualification requirements

In order to qualify for a Postdoctoral position, applicants are required to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent relevant degree from another country. The degree must have been completed no later than when the employment decision is made.

Assessment criteria

It is considered an advantage if the doctoral degree or an equivalent degree was completed no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Under special circumstances, an older degree may also be an advantage. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to:

• Background in social-ecological modelling, natural resource management, sustainability science, relevant social sciences, environmental humanities or other relevant fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in agent-based modeling; experience in building models using diverse data and knowledge sources, including qualitative data.
• Knowledge of social science theories and approaches.
• Experience and skills in inter- and transdisciplinary research.
• Ability to critically reflect on the modelling/knowledge production process from an ethical and philosophical point of view.
• Ability to work both collaboratively in teams and to conduct independent research in interdisciplinary research settings.
• Analytical ability as demonstrated by scientific reports, research articles, or thesis project relevant to the position.
• Expertise in building and using models in knowledge co-production processes with stakeholders is an asset.
• Knowledge of relational philosophies or multispecies approaches is an asset.
• Previous work on biodiversity related topics is an asset.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills, knowledge of French or Arabic are assets.

About the employment

The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2026-04-01, or as per agreement.

We offer

With us, you will experience the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and get favourable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good transport links to the city.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Maja Schlüter, phone: +46 73 460 49 10, maja.schlueter@su.se. 

Application

Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.