Fully Funded PhD in Gender, Peace and Security at the Swedish Defence University 2027 | Salary, Research Funding and International Applicants Welcome

Are you passionate about gender studies, security, peacebuilding, conflict studies, military institutions, and feminist approaches to international security? The Swedish Defence University (SEDU) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in War Studies with a specialization in Gender, Peace and Security.

This prestigious doctoral opportunity provides successful candidates with full funding, a competitive monthly salary, research support funding, and the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at one of Europe’s leading institutions in defence, security, and conflict studies.

The position is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and is expected to commence in January 2027.

Application Deadline: 24 August 2026

About the Swedish Defence University

The Swedish Defence University is an internationally recognized institution specializing in:

• Defence Studies
• Security Studies
• Crisis Management
• International Security
• War Studies
• Political Science
• Military Science
• Leadership and Command Studies

The university serves as Sweden’s premier institution for military and civilian education and research relating to defence, security, conflict, and crisis management.

Through its interdisciplinary academic environment, military professionals, policymakers, researchers, and students collaborate to address some of the most pressing security challenges facing societies today.

About the Department of War Studies

The Department of War Studies is one of the university’s largest academic departments, with approximately:

• 160 staff members
• 1,000 students and trainees

The department conducts internationally recognized research examining:

• War and armed conflict
• Military organizations
• Defence policy
• Security challenges
• Crisis management
• Military capability development
• Ethics and warfare
• Gender and security
• Peace and conflict dynamics

War Studies at the Swedish Defence University combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications relevant to contemporary security environments.

PhD Specialization: Gender, Peace and Security

The Department of War Studies is currently recruiting a doctoral candidate specializing in Gender, Peace and Security.

The position focuses on research within the field of feminist security studies and offers considerable flexibility for candidates to develop innovative and impactful research projects.

Potential research themes may include:

Gender and Military Organizations

Research may examine:

• Gender integration in military institutions
• Diversity and inclusion within armed forces
• Leadership and gender dynamics
• Gendered experiences within military structures

Gender and War Preparedness

Possible research areas include:

• Gender dimensions of national defence preparedness
• Civil preparedness and resilience
• Security planning and gender inclusion
• Community resilience during crises and conflict

Gender and Warfare

Candidates may explore:

• Gendered impacts of war
• Military operations and gender perspectives
• Women’s participation in armed conflict
• Gender and military strategy

Gender and Peace Processes

Research topics may include:

• Women’s participation in peace negotiations
• Gender-inclusive peacebuilding
• Peace agreements and gender outcomes
• Post-conflict recovery and reconciliation

Feminist Security Studies

Applicants may investigate broader questions such as:

• Gender norms and security governance
• Feminist approaches to defence policy
• Gendered understandings of security
• Critical security studies perspectives
• The relationship between power, conflict, and gender

What the PhD Programme Includes

The doctoral programme consists of:

Four Years of Fully Funded Doctoral Study

The programme comprises:

• 240 ECTS credits in total
• 180 ECTS dedicated to doctoral thesis research
• 60 ECTS of doctoral-level coursework

Research Supervision

Successful candidates will receive:

• Dedicated academic supervision
• Access to experienced researchers
• Research mentoring
• Academic development support

Teaching Opportunities

PhD candidates may also participate in:

• Teaching activities
• Academic administration
• Departmental support activities

These duties may account for up to 20% of working time and can extend employment to a maximum of five years.

Financial Benefits

One of the strongest features of this opportunity is its generous funding package.

Monthly Salary

Civilian doctoral students receive:

Starting salary: SEK 32,600 per month

The salary increases throughout the doctoral programme according to the university’s salary scale.

Annual Research Funding

Doctoral candidates receive additional support for:

• Research travel
• Academic conferences
• Literature purchases
• Research-related expenses

Funding available:

Up to SEK 30,000 per year

Additional Benefits

Students also benefit from:

• Full employment status
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to university resources
• International research networks
• Collaboration with leading scholars

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet both general and specific doctoral admission requirements.

General Requirements

Applicants must possess one of the following:

• A Master’s degree
• Equivalent qualifications obtained in Sweden or abroad
• At least 240 ECTS credits, including 60 ECTS credits at postgraduate level

Specific Academic Requirements

Applicants must have:

• At least 90 ECTS credits in social sciences or equivalent
• At least 30 ECTS credits in:
  • War Studies
  • International Relations
  • Security Studies
  • Peace and Conflict Studies
  • Political Science
  • Closely related fields

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Excellent English writing skills
• Excellent English speaking skills

Applications may be submitted in:

• English
• Swedish
• Danish
• Norwegian

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Academic Excellence

Reviewers will assess:

• Previous academic performance
• Research achievements
• Quality of academic writing

Research Proposal Quality

Strong proposals should demonstrate:

• Originality
• Theoretical awareness
• Methodological clarity
• Analytical depth
• Relevance to Gender, Peace and Security

Independent Research Capacity

Candidates should show:

• Critical thinking skills
• Research independence
• Ability to develop scholarly arguments

Additional Merits

The following may strengthen an application:

• Publications
• Research experience
• Professional experience
• Military education
• Security studies expertise
• Gender studies background

Why This PhD Opportunity Stands Out

This position offers a rare opportunity to conduct advanced research at the intersection of:

• Gender Studies
• Security Studies
• Peacebuilding
• International Relations
• Defence Policy
• Conflict Studies

Students will work within a highly respected academic environment while contributing research that can shape future understanding of security, defence, conflict, and peace processes.

The university strongly values diversity and welcomes applicants from different cultural, ethnic, and national backgrounds.

Application Deadline

Deadline: 24 August 2026

Click here for more and to apply

Applications must be submitted before midnight CET/CEST on the closing date.

Successful candidates are expected to begin their doctoral studies in January 2027.

For aspiring researchers interested in gender, conflict, peacebuilding, and security studies, this fully funded PhD position offers an exceptional opportunity to pursue impactful research while receiving a competitive salary and extensive research support.

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