Researcher rural development

We are looking for someone who wants to research socially sustainable methods for the restoration of rangelands in northern Kenya and Uganda, in the Karamoja border region – and who has research experience from rural areas in East Africa as well as experience in field-based research and qualitative methods.

About the job

The tasks in this position are focused on research within the project Include2Restore – an international research project investigating socially sustainable methods for the restoration of rangelands in northern Kenya and Uganda, in the Karamoja border region. The project explores how restoration efforts can be strengthened through collaboration between local communities, researchers, government actors, and civil society organizations, with a particular focus on the social, institutional, and political dimensions of restoration.

As a researcher within the project, you will contribute to research investigating how restoration efforts are shaped by local livelihood opportunities, land-use practices, governance structures, and broader socio-economic processes. The position includes responsibility for planning and conducting field-based research in collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, including longer periods of fieldwork in rural East Africa. You are expected to collaborate with local communities, project partners, and other actors involved in restoration initiatives and contribute to the development of collaborative and co-creative research processes.

The work covers all steps in the research process, including study design, qualitative data collection, data management, analysis, and scientific publication of research, as well as other dissemination of research results. Data collection will mainly comprise qualitative and ethnographic methods, including interviews, participant observations, workshops, and activities with stakeholders. The successful candidate will also contribute to the synthesis and communication of research results to both academic and non-academic audiences through publications, reports, workshops, conferences, and other activities.

The position requires a high degree of independence as well as the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary and international research team. The successful candidate is expected to take responsibility for their own work while maintaining productive relationships with project partners, stakeholders, and colleagues throughout the research process.

Your background

For this researcher position in rural development, a doctoral degree in a social science field, such as rural development, cultural geography, or development studies, and at least two years of research experience after the doctoral degree are required.

You should have a strong theoretical and methodological foundation in critical social science and political economic perspectives on rural development and natural resource management, including the ability to analyze the social, political, economic, and historical processes that shape land use, rural livelihoods, and natural resource management.

Interdisciplinary education and experience working in interdisciplinary and international research environments is a requirement.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to work both independently and in collaborations within international and interdisciplinary research projects.

Experience conducting research in rural East Africa is required, as well as extensive experience in designing and implementing field-based research using qualitative methods, such as ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and historical or archival research, as well as the analysis of complex qualitative data.

The position requires excellent analytical, written, and communication skills.

Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Experience working in the Karamoja border region in northern Kenya and Uganda is meritorious, as is previous experience working with pastoralist communities in the region.

Experience with co-creative and participatory research methods is meritorious, as is experience collaborating with local researchers, community members, and other stakeholders throughout the research process. Experience contributing to policy-relevant knowledge production is meritorious.

It is meritorious if the applicant has experience producing scientific publications, reports, and other ways of disseminating research results, as well as having demonstrated the ability to communicate research results to both academic and non-academic audiences.

Experience working in Swahili-speaking environments and good knowledge of Swahili is meritorious.

About us

The Department of Urban and Rural Development conducts undergraduate and graduate education as well as research and outreach. Approximately 160 people are employed across five departments. Questions regarding the sustainable use of natural resources and landscapes are central to research, teaching, and outreach. The department is the largest at SLU within social sciences, humanities, and design.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Location:

Uppsala

Employment form:

Fixed-term employment for a maximum of 12 months

Extent:

60 %

Start date:

By agreement.

Application:

Welcome with your application via the application button below no later than 2026-08-27.

Union contact persons:

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/