Postdoctoral researcher in Sociology with a focus on Waste Studies

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

The Department of Sociology is looking for a postdoctoral fellow within the interdisciplinary research field of Waste Studies. The employment is for 2 years and starts on November 1st 2025 or by agreement.

Project description and work tasks

The project Waste Values concerns​​ transformations of waste in the circular economy. We live in a time when waste is expected to be given new life as it gets upgraded and enters new cycles. But value transformations require work and the circular economy is far from automated. In addition to functioning infrastructures, organizations, economic management and policy, changed knowledge, action and meaning-making are required for something that was once considered worthless to be revalued. The project studies the processes through which value transformations of bio-waste are made. Examples of wastes that might be of interest are wastewater, stormwater or forest waste. The project is led by Professor Tora Holmberg.

The person who receives the position will be supervised by the project manager but work independently and has great opportunity to influence and design the project, collect and analyze relevant data.

Qualifications

For this position, applicants must have a PhD in sociology or another discipline that is deemed relevant in relation to the research being conducted within the current project (e.g. Business administration, Human geography, Political Science, etc.). The degree must be completed at the latest by the time the employment decision is made.

Since employment as a postdoctoral fellow is a qualifying position for junior researchers, we are primarily targeting those who have a doctoral degree that is no older than three years at the time of the application deadline. In special conditions earlier doctoral degrees can be considered. Special conditions include leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, positions within trade unions or other similar circumstances, as well as service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria  

Particular importance will be placed on previous and planned research of relevance to the project. The assessment is based primarily on the relevance and quality of the submitted research plan and secondarily on other scientific merits.

Importance will be placed on experience of engagement with non-academic stakeholders. Importance will also be placed on experience of qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Given the character of the research project importance will also be placed on good knowledge of both English and Swedish. 

The ability to collaborate as well as work independently is required.

The position

The position is a full-time employment on a fixed term of two years and includes research time amounting to a minimum of 80% of full time. Teaching and supervision at the undergraduate/advanced level can amount to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

The postdoctoral position follows the Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher , effective from February 1, 2022. 

Our employees are expected to carry out their work in Umeå and participate in common departmental activities. 

Application

The application must contain:

• Research plan (maximum four pages including references) that describes research that you could conduct within the framework of the project
• A cover letter regarding your scientific interests and your motives for applying for the position (maximum one page)
• CV / curriculum vitae with a list of publications
• Maximum 5 scientific publications relevant for the position
• Certified copies of grades and diplomas
• Any other merits of relevance for the position (optional)
• If you plan to complete your doctoral degree after the deadline for applying, please upload information about the planned examination and expected examination date
• Name and contact information to 2-3 references

Apply via our recruitment system Varbi. The deadline for applying is August 22, 2025.

About us

The Department of Sociology offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education in both sociology and library and information science. The department also contributes to several interdisciplinary programmes in collaboration with other departments at the university. It is home to DIGSUM, the Centre for Digital Social Research.

The department currently has around 65 employees, including 14 doctoral students. Research is conducted in areas such as Sociology of Work, Digital Sociology, Family Sociology, Criminology, Sociology of Knowledge and Information, Racism, Nationalism, Ethnicity and Migration, Social Policy and Welfare Research, and Sociology of Education. Much of this research is externally funded and carried out within larger research groups as well as by individual scholars. More information about the department’s activities is available on our website: Department of Sociology