Swedish Defence University Opens Fully Funded PhD Positions in War Studies for 2027 Intake @Unknown

Swedish Defence University Opens Fully Funded PhD Positions in War Studies for 2027 Intake

The Swedish Defence University has announced the opening of multiple fully funded doctoral positions in War Studies, offering advanced research opportunities in one of Europe’s leading academic environments for defence, security, and crisis management studies.

The PhD opportunities are set to begin in January 2027 and are open to both Swedish and international applicants, with a final application deadline of 24 August 2026.

Fully Funded Doctoral Programme in War Studies

The doctoral programme spans four years of full-time study (240 ECTS credits), with the possibility of extension to five years for candidates who undertake teaching or departmental duties.

The programme combines:

• A doctoral thesis (180 ECTS credits)
• Coursework component (60 ECTS credits)
• Optional teaching and departmental responsibilities (up to 20% workload)

Successful candidates will be employed as doctoral students and receive full funding throughout the duration of their studies.

Research Areas and Specialisations Available

The Department of War Studies has opened several PhD positions across both general and specialised research areas.

Applicants may apply for:

General War Studies Positions

Candidates may propose independent research topics within the broad field of War Studies, including:

• Military strategy and operations
• Defence policy and security studies
• Crisis management and conflict analysis
• Military organisation and capability development
• Ethical and theoretical approaches to warfare

Specialisation in Russian Warfare

This track focuses on research into Russian military power and doctrine, including:

• Force development and operational planning
• Command and control structures
• Military strategy and doctrine
• Defence technologies and organisational change

Applicants must demonstrate documented proficiency in reading Russian.

Specialisation in Gender, Peace and Security

This area focuses on feminist and critical security studies, including:

• Gender and military organisations
• War preparedness and conflict dynamics
• Peacebuilding and post-conflict transitions
• Gender norms in security and defence systems

Specialisation in Military Logistics

This track examines civil defence and logistics systems, particularly:

• Supply chain resilience during conflict
• Civil-military cooperation in defence preparedness
• Lessons from the war in Ukraine
• Nordic civil defence systems and crisis readiness

Academic Environment and Institutional Role

The Swedish Defence University is a globally recognised institution specialising in defence education, crisis management, and security studies. The Department of War Studies is one of its core academic units, with approximately 160 staff members and a large international student and research community.

The university plays a unique role in Sweden by:

• Educating military officers and defence professionals
• Conducting applied and theoretical security research
• Bridging civilian and military academic perspectives
• Supporting national and international defence policy development

War Studies at the institution is a multidisciplinary field combining social science, military analysis, and critical perspectives on conflict and security.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To qualify for admission to the PhD programme, applicants must meet both general and specific academic requirements.

General Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
• At least 240 ECTS credits in total
• At least 60 ECTS credits at postgraduate level

Subject-Specific Requirements

Applicants must also have:

• At least 90 ECTS credits in social sciences
• At least 30 ECTS credits in War Studies or related fields (e.g., International Relations, Political Science, Security Studies)
• Strong written and spoken English proficiency

Selection and Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on academic merit and research potential. Key evaluation factors include:

• Scientific quality of previous academic work
• Clarity and originality of the proposed research plan
• Methodological strength and theoretical grounding
• Analytical ability and critical thinking
• Relevance of prior postgraduate studies
• Overall academic and research experience

Applicants are typically required to submit an independently written academic thesis or equivalent work as part of the evaluation process.

Military professional education is considered an additional merit but is not mandatory.

Funding, Salary, and Benefits

The PhD positions are fully funded and include employment as a doctoral researcher.

Key financial and institutional benefits include:

• Monthly salary starting at approximately SEK 32,600
• Salary progression according to institutional pay scale
• Annual research allowance of up to SEK 30,000 for travel and academic expenses
• Full funding for four years (with possible extension to five years)
• Access to academic supervision and research resources

Doctoral candidates may also participate in teaching and departmental activities, which can extend the employment period.

Application Process and Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications through the Swedish Defence University recruitment system, referencing Ö 308/2026.

Key deadlines include:

• Application deadline: 24 August 2026 (midnight CET/CEST)
• Start date: January 2027
• Selection interviews: Autumn 2026

Applications should preferably be submitted in English, although Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian are also accepted. All documents must be complete, and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Strategic Opportunity for Defence and Security Researchers

The PhD opportunities at the Swedish Defence University represent a significant pathway for advanced research in war, conflict, and security studies. With specialised tracks in Russian warfare, gender and security, and military logistics, the programme reflects growing global interest in contemporary conflict dynamics and defence preparedness.

For aspiring researchers in military science and international security, the programme offers a highly structured, fully funded doctoral environment within one of Europe’s most specialised defence-focused academic institutions.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding

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