Postdoctoral Scholarship (2 years) in Environmental History of Forests and Energy

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship in environmental historical studies of forests and energy. The scholarship is full‑time for two years, starting 1 September 2026 or by agreement.

The scholarship is funded by the Kempe Foundations. The tax‑free scholarship amounts to a total of SEK 720,000 (approx. SEK 30,000 per month) and is normally paid in four separate disbursements during the scholarship period. The application deadline is 31 March.

Project Description

The interplay between fossil and bio‑based energy sources has long shaped energy systems and preparedness in northern Sweden. Historically, forests have played a central role during crises—such as the world wars and the oil crises—when bio‑based resources replaced fossil fuels. Nevertheless, forest‑based bioenergy returned to a complementary role after each crisis, and it still remains insufficiently integrated into Sweden’s preparedness strategies. Today, the importance of forests is again highlighted in light of geopolitical uncertainties and the ongoing energy transition.

This project examines how the forest sector—including forestry and the forest industry—has developed in interaction with changes in the energy system from the 1970s to the late 20th century. The starting point is the energy‑political turning point of the 1970s, when the oil crises and shifting geopolitical conditions exposed Sweden’s vulnerability as an oil‑dependent nation. At the same time, criticism of large‑scale natural resource exploitation increased, not least through the environmental movement and emerging ecological knowledge, which influenced views on forest‑based energy.

The project investigates how ideas, policy, and practices concerning forests and energy changed during the following decades, with particular attention to transformations in forest policy, such as the 1993 Forestry Act. These changes can be related to shifting public opinion, the establishment of climate issues on the political agenda, changing markets, and the geopolitical landscape that emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The historical analysis also relates to later energy crises, such as the 2022 European energy crisis, which highlights energy as a geopolitical instrument of power. This perspective offers insights into how the role of forest‑based bioenergy has shifted in relation to oil and other energy sources, and which ideas, institutions, and actors have driven this development.

The project focuses on northern Sweden and illuminates how crises and long‑term transitions have shaped development trajectories relevant to today’s energy systems and questions of societal preparedness.

More information:
https://www.umu.se/en/research/projects/the-power-of-the-forest-energy-dependency-and-preparedness-in-northern-swedens-forests-from-the-1970s-to-today/

The postdoctoral scholarship is linked to the Kempe‑funded project “The Power of the Forest – Energy, dependency, and preparedness in Northern Sweden's Forests, from the 1970s until today”, a collaboration between the subject History of Science and Ideas at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies and the Department of Political Sciences at Umeå University. The scholarship recipient will thus be part of an environment characterized by broad humanities and social science perspectives on environmental and natural resource issues, and will conduct research in an interdisciplinary setting connected to contemporary societal challenges. The postdoctoral scholarship will also be tied to activities within humanities and social science projects funded by the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation and the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation at Umeå University, linked to the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (WIFORCE) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Funding for conference travel is available in addition to the scholarship.

Qualifications

To be eligible, applicants must have completed a doctoral degree—or a foreign degree deemed equivalent—in History of Science and Ideas, Environmental Humanities, Environmental or Technological History, Science and Technology Studies (STS), or another humanities discipline. This requirement must be met by the time the scholarship decision is made.

To be considered, applicants should normally have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special circumstances, applicants who obtained the degree earlier may also be considered. Special circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, union commitments, service in the total defence, or similar reasons, as well as clinical service or work/assignments relevant to the subject area.

The project requires the ability to work with written empirical source material in Swedish.

Assessment criteria:

• Relevance of the applicant’s research profile to the project
• Ability to conduct and publish research of the highest international quality
• Interdisciplinary research interests
• Ability and interest in collaborating with others in a joint project

About Us

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies belongs to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Umeå University and employs around 110 people. The department hosts researchers, teachers, and, students in archaeology, environmental archaeology, philosophy, history, history with educational science orientation, history of ideas, religious studies, and theology.

The project is connected to the History of Science and Ideas section, which offers undergraduate and graduate education and a strong research environment with a particular focus on forest‑ and environment‑related issues. The scholarship recipient will have the opportunity to participate in joint higher seminars conducted together with the subject of history, providing a broad historical and methodological foundation.

Since other parts of the overarching project are conducted within political science, the scholarship recipient will also be able to participate in seminars on environmental governance. In addition, the Arctic Centre at Umeå University constitutes a relevant research environment, offering interdisciplinary research on issues related to northern Sweden in an Arctic context.

Application

Applications may be written in English or Swedish. Attachments must be in Word or PDF format. Applications should be submitted through Umeå University’s e‑recruitment system Varbi and must be received no later than 31 March 2026.

A complete application must include:

• A personal letter describing your background, qualifications, motivation for applying, and possible approaches to the project (3–4 pages)
• Curriculum vitae with publication list
• Copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation showing when the degree is expected to be awarded
• Copies of other degree certificates, academic transcripts and/or grades
• Copy of doctoral dissertation and up to four relevant articles
• Any additional documents the applicant wishes to submit

For further information, please contact: Docent Janina Priebe janina.priebe@umu.se

We look forward to your application!