Postdoc in Cyber Defence and Deterrence at Swedish Defence University

The Swedish Defence University is offering a postdoctoral position focusing on cyber defence and deterrence at the Department of Systems Science for Defence and Security in Stockholm. This internationally renowned university specializes in defence, crisis management, and security, providing a unique academic environment where military and civilian researchers collaborate. The department conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of social sciences and engineering, examining how social and technical components affect systems used for societal defence and security. The research area centers on understanding the capabilities and limitations of cyber operations, particularly their relationship to deterrence at strategic and operational levels. Key questions include whether cyber operations can deter adversaries from cyber or other domain operations, and vice versa. The position encourages diverse methodological approaches, such as literature reviews, game theory, case studies, doctrinal analysis, experiments, and systematic comparisons with other deterrence areas like nuclear deterrence. Duties involve conducting independent and collaborative research, disseminating results in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and seminars, and potentially engaging in teaching and administrative tasks (up to 20%). The position is temporary, full-time for two years, with salary set individually. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, mathematics, economics, political science, international relations) by the start date, strong communication skills, and fluency in English. Merits include publications on cyber defence, game theory, military or policy-level cybersecurity experience, international relations, law and policymaking, and Swedish language skills. Priority is given to those who completed their doctorate within three years of the deadline, with exceptions for special circumstances. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV with publications and doctorate date, a research plan (max 2 pages), a description of relevant previous projects, and up to 10 relevant publications via the university's recruitment system by March 4, 2026. The position is open to Swedish, EU, and NATO citizens, subject to security clearance. For more information, contact Ulrik Franke ([email protected]) or Stefan Silfverskiöld ([email protected]).