Postdoctoral Fellow in Labor Economics and the Economics of Crime - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI), Stockholm University, conducts research on social policies and labour market issues. Researchers at the institute work in the field of social policy, welfare, inequality, health and labor economics. We have a unit for undergraduate education, AKPA, and we conduct postgraduate education together with other departments in economics and sociology. We have more than 30 researchers with PhDs working in labor economics and 40 researchers with PhDs working in sociologi.

The economics of crime is a sub-field of labor economics that aims to understand both how individuals within the criminal justice system, ranging from offenders to police to judges, make decisions as well as the consequences of those decisions.

More information about us, please visit: Swedish Institute for Social Research.

Project description

The research project is entitled, “Breaking the Inequality-Crime Cycle: Biases in Police Decisions, 'What Works' in Prison, and Firm Demand for Workers with Criminal Records”. The project is funded by the European Research Council with Prof. Randi Hjalmarsson (Gothenburg University) as the PI and Prof. Matthew Lindquist as the local research coordinator at SOFI, Stockholm University.
 
Economic inequality and segregation imply vastly unequal opportunities in many dimensions – the labor market, healthcare, informal networks, exposure to police – that can impact the chances of ending up in trouble with the law. Once caught in the justice system, it can be hard to break free, especially if a criminal record increases the barriers to employment. This cycle of crime and economic inequality can even be perpetuated across generations, if the impacts of a criminal record spill-over to an offender’s family members. 
 
This three-part agenda considers multiple points at which the cycle can potentially be broken, including (i) police decision making and the role of training, (ii) prison reforms and prison care, including healthcare, and (iii) the role of employment opportunities – or lack thereof – for individuals with criminal records. This final part will emphasize both the potential role of firm hiring decisions and offender informal networks. The core of this economics of crime agenda is thus at the intersection of literatures within labor economics, health economics, and networks and peer effects.

Main responsibilities

The recruited postdoctor will be expected to collaborate with Prof. Hjalmarsson and Prof. Lindquist on their ERC agenda on how to break the inequality-crime cycle.

• The position is research intensive, and successful candidates will be expected to engage in research within the scope of the project.
• There is minimal teaching and/or administration.
• Postdoctors may also be expected to collaborate with other team members, including PhD students, and research assistants.
• Active participation in the SOFI research environment (e.g., seminar participation and organization).
• Potential research visits with collaborators in Gothenburg, the UK, US, and Germany.

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.

The ideal candidate will have a background in applied microeconomics, with research experience in the economics of crime. Applicants with training in labor economics, experience working with large register data sets (in general) and crime data sets (in particular) and collecting data from public agencies (especially in Sweden), and demonstrated expertise with contemporary quasi-experimental research designs will be especially well qualified for the position.

As we operate in an international environment, the applicant is expected to have excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English.

The applicant who, in the overall assessment of skills and potential, is deemed to be best suited to contribute to the ERC-project will be chosen.

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 2026-09-01 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 Prof. Matthew Lindquist, phone: +46 8 16 38 31, matthew.lindquist@sofi.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.