by
2026-05-08
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 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.
Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace
The Department of Geography is an education and research environment with just over 40 employees. Examples of research and teaching areas include planning, economic geography, tourism, and natural resource use.
We are now announcing a PhD position in Human Geography aimed at contributing to our economic geography research on regional development and “green” industrial investments. The aim of the project is to investigate how strategic planning can promote development during periods of rapid change. The position will start on 1 September 2026, or as agreed. The employment runs for four years full-time. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Geography, the Industrial Graduate School at Umeå University, and Region Västernorrland.
The Industrial Graduate School at Umeå University
The Industrial Graduate School is a multidisciplinary graduate school where projects are based on collaborations between Umeå University and external organisations. PhD students within the Industrial Graduate School form an interdisciplinary group that, in addition to their individual research specialization, are offered a tailor-made course package that creates a strong platform for future work in research and development. A PhD position within the Industrial Graduate School also includes an internship period totalling three months with the external partner organisation.
Job Description
The PhD project focuses on the role of the regional scale in relation to major (green) industrial establishments, with particular focus on Region Västernorrland. The project takes its starting point in the ongoing green industrial transition and analyses how large-scale investments affect regional development, business dynamics and labour markets.
The green transition is reshaping the geography of investment and production in Europe. Northern Sweden has become a key arena for new industrial initiatives, creating both opportunities and challenges for regional planning and long-term development. The project addresses central questions concerning multi-level governance, strategic spatial planning, regional diversification, development traps, and the social and labour market effects of rapid structural change.
The doctoral thesis should consist of at least two of the following sub-studies:
The project is expected to primarily consist of quantitative analyses and document analysis. Depending on the sub-projects chosen, the research may also combine interviews with quantitative analysis. The doctoral student will become part of a leading research environment on regional development consisting of economic geographers and will also be affiliated with the interdisciplinary research programme “A Promised Land?” at the Centre for Regional Science (CERUM).
The position requires active participation in international academic contexts as well as communication of research results to relevant societal stakeholders. Since the project is empirically grounded and includes an internship with Region Västernorrland, the ability to understand Swedish is considered a strong merit.
About the Employment
The position leads to a doctoral degree and is normally a four-year full-time position, starting on 1 September 2026 or as agreed. Salary is determined according to the established salary scale for doctoral students. If departmental duties such as teaching are included (maximum 20 percent of full-time), the employment period will be extended accordingly. The position is located at the Department of Geography at Umeå University.
Eligibility
To be employed as a doctoral student, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies in Human Geography. General eligibility for doctoral studies requires that the applicant has completed a second-cycle degree, completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, and completed at least 90 ECTS credits in Human Geography or in a corresponding subject such as Economic History, Economics or Innovation Studies, or has otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.
Additional Qualifications
Applicants must have good command of Swedish and English, both spoken and written, and demonstrate insight into research within the social sciences, particularly human geography. Interest in issues related to the green transition, business dynamics or labour market developments, as well as experience with regional policy, planning or development issues, is considered meritorious.
A strong ability to work independently, analytically and in a structured manner is highly valued. Knowledge and experience of quantitative research methods and datasets are also considered meritorious.
Application
A complete application must include:
Incomplete applications will not be considered. However, ongoing theses that will be examined during the spring semester may be included in the application. Please note that a degree certificate is required before being offered the position.
Your application must be registered in the university’s e-recruitment system no later than May 8, 2026.
According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, Section 2), decisions regarding employment cannot be appealed.
Further information about the position and the project is available from Professor Rikard Eriksson (project leader), phone +46 90 786 74 16, email rikard.eriksson@umu.se, and questions regarding the PhD-education in human geography to Associate Professor Madeleine Eriksson (Director of Doctoral Studies), phone +46 90 786 71 57, email madeleine.eriksson@umu.se.
Welcome with your application.
Application deadline
2026-05-08
Registration number
AN 2026/405
Union representative
Saco-S
saco@umu.se
SEKO
090-7865296
ST
090-7865431