Postdoctoral Fellow in Agent-based Human–Earth System Modelling
Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University
Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) is a leading international centre in sustainability science at Stockholm University. The Centre advances scientific understanding of the dynamic interactions between people and nature in the biosphere, trains the next generation of sustainability researchers and leaders, and engages in collaborations with change agents. It is a joint initiative between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The SRC currently employs around 165 members of staff.
More information about us, please visit: Stockholm Resilience Centre.
The position will be associated with the MISTRA Anthropocene Navigator project, which aims to identify robust coalition-building strategies for achieving global sustainability in times of polycrisis. The project combines keystone actor mapping and engagement of diplomats with integrated human–Earth system modelling to explore coalition-building strategies that can advance global sustainability goals such as the Global Biodiversity Framework, the 1.5°C goal, and the zero Pandemics goal.
Main responsibilities
The position involves research on agent-based and human–Earth system modelling of coalition-building strategies for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework, with a particular focus on the 30x30 target and the transition to regenerative agriculture. A central focus of the work will be to analyse how international cooperation can enable transitions in land-use systems, including the role of regenerative agriculture in supporting biodiversity conservation, resilience to economic, environmental, and geopolitical shocks, and long-term sustainability in a polycrisis context.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work on agent-based and human–Earth system modelling of coalition-building strategies between nation states and other key actors. The work will involve implementing selected Anthropocene traps (Søgaard Jørgensen et al. 2024) in the coupled modelling framework Copan:LPJmL (Breier et al. 2025).
The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary and international team and collaborate closely with key project partners including Lan Wang Erlandsson, Jonathan Donges, Tim Waring, and Peter Søgaard Jørgensen. The position includes participation in international synthesis workshops with project collaborators.
Main responsibilities include:
- Develop and apply agent-based / human–Earth system models for coalition-building strategies
- Implement selected Anthropocene traps in the Copan:LPJmL framework
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers and international partners
- Contribute to high-quality academic publications and project deliverables
- Participate in project synthesis workshops and stakeholder engagement activities.
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 research skills. We seek candidates with:
- Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., sustainability science, systems modelling, physics, earth sciences, ecology, or political science)
- Proven experience in agent-based modelling and/or integrated human–Earth system modelling
- Demonstrated ability to design and analyse complex model-based studies
- Skills in programming and working with large-scale modelling frameworks
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
- Experience in publishing peer-reviewed research
- Excellent written and spoken English (Swedish is not required).
Experience with sustainability transformations, coalition-building, or political/actor-based modelling is considered an advantage.
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 as soon as possible or as per agreement.
We are interviewing continuously, so send your application today.