Postdoc in Intelligence Studies

About the workplace

The position is located in Stockholm at the Department of Defense Systems, Försvarshögskolan. At Försvarshögskolan, there is a newly established interdisciplinary Platform for Intelligence and Security Services. Please read more about the platform https://www.fhs.se/forskning/natverk-och-samarbeten/plattform-for-underrattelse--och-sakerhetstjanst.html.

Description

Intelligence services are characterized by significant uncertainty, an adversary that misleads and protects its secrets, and by the fact that the consequences of operations are large. Taken measures that affect processes and decision-making at a national level are difficult to model. Furthermore, the events that intelligence analysis must understand and predict are rarely occurring. Altogether, this implies an information environment that is challenging in many ways.

At the same time, recent technological developments, especially within artificial intelligence, have brought hopes of being able to use large datasets to improve intelligence analysis. This is often associated with so-called Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) where open or commercially available information is analyzed, but also applies more generally to the various types of data that intelligence services collect.

The Department of Defense Systems is seeking a postdoc who will study the possibilities of using data and computer science methods to improve intelligence analysis. This includes, but is not limited to, various forms of artificial intelligence. The research is applied and may be carried out in collaboration with authorities and companies, which implies collaboration with practitioners.

At Försvarshögskolan, an investment is being made in intelligence and security services within the framework of a newly started Platform. One area of development concerns new technology and large datasets. The work as a postdoc is independent but will be carried out within the framework of the platform for intelligence and security services and shall connect to other ongoing research at Försvarshögskolan, thereby enabling future research applications and education.

Tasks

The postdoc is expected to make independent contributions to the research area. Specifically, you are expected to develop methods relevant to intelligence analysis. The work also includes contributing to the research and education environment in intelligence and security services at Försvarshögskolan.

Tasks also include the dissemination of research results at conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific publications. The work is conducted in close collaboration with other researchers at Försvarshögskolan. Commissioned research may be included. Administrative tasks and tasks related to teaching will be part of the work, up to 20 %.

Studying intelligence services entails particular challenges due to confidentiality and security protection. However, the research within the project shall be designed in a way that does not require access to security-classified information.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for you who have:

obtained a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in a field relevant to the position, for example data and computer science, data science, or engineering science, at the latest by the time of the employment decision.

Good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

It is meritorious if you have:

an interest in – and preferably documented experience of – working with the challenges in the information environment that intelligence analysis entails, and who wants to develop methods to handle them.

An interdisciplinary profile: if you have a PhD in a technical subject, we would like you to also have an undergraduate degree in social science or humanities. If you have a PhD in a social science, intelligence-related subject, we would like you to also have an undergraduate degree in a technical or natural science subject.

Meritorious experiences for the position are:

Work with data in areas that have challenges similar to intelligence analysis Development of methods for

collection and structuring of quantitative data data quality data analysis

Use of AI in method development Research in areas of relevance to intelligence and security services Work with confidentiality and security protection Publication of peer-reviewed scientific articles Work with intelligence services

Applicants who have obtained a doctoral degree at most three years before the employment decision will be prioritized. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, service within the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

Personal qualities

You work independently, structured, and with high precision. Furthermore, you have very good communication and collaboration skills. We will place great emphasis on your personal qualities.

About the employment

This is a fixed-term employment on a full-time basis (100 %) for two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Employment at Försvarshögskolan may involve a security clearance according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585).

The employment may also involve military mobilization. If you are already mobilized in your current employment at an authority and your competence is needed in Försvarshögskolan's war organization, a negotiation will take place between the relevant authority and Försvarshögskolan regarding where you should be placed.

Commencement

Start date as soon as possible by agreement.

Application

Your application should include:

a personal letter with your motivation for applying for this position your CV including a publication list and (planned) date for doctoral degree a research plan of max. 2 pages where you describe your research interest and approach to this specific project your previous publications of relevance to this position (max. 10)

Applications are submitted via Försvarshögskolan's recruitment system by clicking on the link ”Logga in och sök jobbet” on the advertisement page. Mark your application with dnr HR 121/2026. Your application must be submitted no later than August 28, 2026.

A complete application must be provided to Försvarshögskolan no later than the last application day at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).