Post doc fellowship for 2027

Applications are invited for postdoctoral fellowships of SEK 350,000/year (tax-free) for researchers at an early stage of their scientific career. Applicants must be affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences at Uppsala University. The fellowships are funded by the proceeds of The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff). The Foundation's goal is to nurture future leaders who excel in transcending geopolitical, religious, ethnic and cultural boundaries, operating in a global arena and actively pursuing peace and prosperity.

The aim of the fellowships is to support younger social scientists in their scientific careers and to promote their international contacts. Fellowship holders are expected to engage in research during the fellowship period, which is normally three years. The fellowship holder is also expected to spend a period of time at one or more research institutions abroad (normally at least six months). The scholarship is awarded for one year at a time, with a possible extension after reapplication (see under the heading “Application”). The full scholarship is intended to cover living expenses. In addition, insurance (endowment insurance, life and accident insurance and, in special cases, travel insurance). A supplementary grant (up to a maximum of SEK 30 000/year) may be awarded for increased costs in connection with longer stays abroad. The supplementary grant is intended to cover direct travel costs and accommodation costs in connection with short stays abroad. No per diem is paid. The scholarship cannot be held concurrently with other grants or scholarships intended to cover salary or living expenses. Other employment/activities, such as teaching or other institutional work, can be held for the equivalent of 20% of full-time while holding the scholarship.

The scholarship period runs from 2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31.

Eligibility

Eligible to apply for the scholarships are those who since 2021-01-01 have defended a doctoral degree within a social science faculty. In addition, the applicant must have a connection to the Faculty of Social Sciences in Uppsala by either:

having completed a doctoral degree at Uppsala University or
hold an employment linked to a department within the Faculty of Social Sciences in Uppsala or
hold a research grant linked to a department within the Faculty of Social Sciences in Uppsala.

Eligible to receive a scholarship is the person who intends to mainly fulfil his/her research at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Uppsala University.

Selection of applicants

Selection of applicants will be made on the basis of:

demonstrated scientific excellence
submitted proposal for research project/research plan
degree of internationalisation: the research plan should include a brief description of how the applicant intends to develop his/her international research contacts (conference participation, stays at foreign research institutions, etc.)
consistency with the objectives of the Foundation (see above).

The application

The application should take the form of a research project proposal and include a research plan (maximum 2500 words). The plan must cover the period of the grant (maximum three years). The application must also include a plan with a detailed cost estimate for travel abroad for the first year. The application must also show how the proposed research relates to the Foundation's objectives.

The Sylff Committee decides on the award of the grant. The committee, which also assesses the application, is composed of researchers from several social science disciplines. It is therefore particularly important that the application is written in such a way that it can be read and understood even by those on the committee who are not specialised in the subject or field of the research project. Avoid technical jargon and focus on why the research project is important and interesting, within the discipline and, where appropriate, outside the discipline.

Those reapplying for a second or third year needs to submit a report of no more than 1 page describing how they have followed their research plan and the way forward. If you need to adjust your research plan, a revised one must be attached.

Final report

Successful applicants are required to submit a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report should describe how the researcher has been able to use the grant period to conduct research according to his/her plan. The report is written in English and should not exceed two pages. The final report must be submitted no later than March 31 of the year following the end of the grant period.

Disclosures

For further information, please contact Adam Vesterbacka

The application, addressed to the Sylff Committee, is submitted electronically to adam.vesterbacka@uu.se and must be received no later than 2026-11-02.
Application form can be downloaded here (pdf in Swedish) pdf, 62 kB.