PhD in Agrarian History — Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Original title: Doktorand i agrarhistoria

About the role

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) invites applications for a PhD position in agrarian history. The successful candidate will be part of the FloGrain research project, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and supervised by Martin Andersson, Wallenberg Academy Fellow and Associate Professor in Agrarian History. The position is offered for four years of doctoral studies, with placement in Uppsala and start date in autumn 2026 (by agreement). Salary follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps, at 100% employment.

The research project

The doctoral project examines how people in pre-industrial societies accessed food, focusing on grain in urban contexts in early modern Sweden. The central question is how those who did not produce their own food obtained their daily sustenance during a period of increasing social inequality and climate instability. The project will investigate how grain was transported to and within cities, processed by millers, brewers, and bakers, and eventually reached consumers. Source materials include court records, tax registers related to milling, baking, and brewing, and toll registers for urban transport. The study covers several Swedish cities and concentrates on the period from the 1620s onward.

Responsibilities

• Devote the majority of time to the doctoral programme, including participation in the research project.
• Produce a PhD thesis (either a monograph or a compilation thesis of 3–4 research articles).
• Complete doctoral courses totalling 75 ECTS credits, including agrarian history courses at SLU and possibly at other universities.
• Undertake departmental duties (e.g., teaching) up to 20% of working hours, with corresponding extension of the employment period, by agreement.

Eligibility

Basic requirements

To meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have been awarded a Master’s degree (second-cycle), completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS at second-cycle level, or have acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, § 39).

Specific requirements

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in history, economic history, or a closely related discipline.
• Excellent knowledge of Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) and English, both spoken and written.

Qualification requirements

Required qualifications

• Systematic and meticulous work approach.
• Curiosity about historical research problems and source challenges.
• Ability to reflect and think critically.
• Strong capacity for independent work under supervision.
• Good collaborative skills.

Meriting qualifications

• Experience working with early modern handwritten sources in Swedish, especially from the 17th century (e.g., court records, tax/toll registers).
• Use of digital methods for handwriting recognition (HTR) on similar source material.
• Previous independent studies of pre-industrial agriculture or trade.

What we offer

• Full-time employment as a PhD student for four years, with salary in accordance with local collective agreement (fixed steps).
• Placement at the Department of Urban and Rural Development, Division of Agrarian History, in Uppsala.
• A stimulating research environment with two professors, one assistant senior lecturer, four researchers, two postdocs, and five active PhD students.
• Opportunities to attend courses at other institutions and engage in international collaboration within the FloGrain project.

How to apply

The application must be submitted through SLU’s recruitment system by 31 August 2026. It must include the following documents:

• A cover letter (1–2 A4 pages) describing your qualifications in relation to the position and your interest in the specific thesis project.
• A CV with contact information.
• List of courses at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, together with degree certificates and transcripts (in PDF format).
• Master’s thesis (in PDF format).
• Contact details for 1–2 referees (previous supervisors).

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the written application, assessment of language proficiency, interviews, personal qualities, and references. Applicants called for interview may be asked to submit certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts. Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries must submit a certified copy of their passport photo page upon request.

Contact

For further information, please contact:
Martin Andersson, Associate Professor and Head of Division
Phone: 018-672311
Email: [email protected]

About the Department

The Department of Urban and Rural Development conducts basic and doctoral education, research, and collaboration. Approximately 160 people work across five divisions. Sustainable use of natural resources and landscapes is central to the department’s activities. The Division of Agrarian History focuses on agrarian production, technical development, social and economic conditions, people in agrarian society, and their relationship with nature, the landscape, and society at large. Externally funded research constitutes a significant part of the division’s work.

We look forward to receiving your application by 31 August 2026.

Original vacancy