Postdoctoral position in Social Studies of Pandemic Preparedness

the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. We combine subjects, perspectives, people and experiences, and are worldminded, curious and questioning, searching for surprising syntheses, challenges and development.

About the position and the research environment

This postdoctoral position involves close collaboration with researchers in two research projects: Pandemic Infrastructures: Preparing for the Wrong Pandemic? and Blind Spots in Pandemic Preparedness: "Pathogen X" and the Development of Epidemic Surveillance after Covid. Both are funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR). The position is offered as part of a cooperation between Södertörn University and Chalmers University of Technology.

In the wake of COVID-19, infrastructures for pandemic preparedness have significantly expanded. Wastewater epidemiology, tracking of antibiotic resistance and metagenomic methods for identifying unknown pathogens are all examples of emerging pandemic infrastructures – sociotechnical systems that shape what we know and can learn about pathogens and pandemics. The project investigates how these infrastructures are designed and enacted, the values and norms they embody, and – perhaps most importantly of all – whether we risk preparing for the wrong pandemic by building systems based on the previous crisis.

The position focuses on studies of pandemic knowledge work and is led by Francis Lee (Södertörn University) in collaboration with Lisa Lindén (Chalmers University of Technology). Both are experienced researchers in Science and Technology Studies (STS), with comprehensive experience in medical technology, epidemiology and public health.

As a postdoctoral research fellow, you will work at the Department of Media Technology at Södertörn University. Media Technology is an interdisciplinary subject that offers research and education in the intersections between technology, humans and society. The university website has an overview of Media Technology and our publications.

For complete information regarding this position, please visit the following link: https://www.sh.se/english/sodertorn-university/meet-sodertorn-university/this-is-sodertorn-university/vacant-positions?rmpage=job&rmjob=10042&rmlang=UK

Employment

The position is full-time and fixed-term for 24 months (two years), with the possibility of extension to 36 months (three years in total). Start date by agreement.

Application

The application deadline is November 9, 2026.

Further information

Francis Lee, Professor of Media Technology, specialising in Science and Technology Studies, project leader, Södertörn University, francis.lee@sh.se

Lisa Lindén, Associate Professor (Docent) in Gender and Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, lisa.linden@chalmers.se

Martin Jonsson, Professor of Media Technology, subject coordinator, Södertörn University, martin.jonsson@sh.se

Marie Granroth, HR Generalist, Södertörn University, marie.granroth@sh.se

En ansökan som inte är komplett eller inkommer till Södertörns högskola efter sista ansökningsdag kan komma att avvisas. Högskolan använder individuell lönesättning, utifrån högskolans lönekriterier. Högskolan utgår även från de gemensamma löneprinciperna i 5 § RALS/RALS-T. Läs mer på webben, https://medarbetarwebben.sh.se/sidor/min-anstallning/lon-och-ersattningar.html

Välkommen med din ansökan! Fackliga kontaktpersoner: SACO: info.saco@sh.se ST: st@sh.se SEKO: mattias.kollberg@seko.se och Robert Lindberg robert.g.lindberg@seko.se Södertörns högskola har gjort ett medvetet medieval för denna rekrytering och vi undanber oss därför kontakt med annonssäljare eller andra säljare av rekryteringstjänster.