Postdoctoral fellow in Photography, Nature and Ecology

Om jobbet

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the departments HDK-Valand - School of Art and Design and the School of Performing Arts and Music. As a unified faculty for art and learning, we are an independent, visionary and critical force in the necessary work of creating a more sustainable and open society.

In collaboration with the Hasselblad Foundation and HDK-Valand are now looking for a postdoctoral fellow in photography, nature and ecology. You will be part of the unit for film, photography and literature. HDK-Valand and the Hasselblad Foundation have a long-term collaboration with the aim of supporting the development of photographic research. Within this framework, we are now looking for an artist/photographer whose work or interest addresses issues of nature, environment, ecology and climate challenges, for a 2-year postdoctoral position starting in September 2026.

The Hasselblad Foundation supports, initiates and carries out research in photography all its forms: in contemporary art and current visual - and increasingly digital - culture, as well as the photographs of the past and historical perceptions of the medium. This includes research related to photographers, artists, theorists and automated photography, which is conveyed through exhibitions, publications and seminars, often in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg. By awarding scholarships, creating exhibition platforms, supporting publications and symposia, and especially through collaborations, both nationally and internationally, the Hasselblad Foundation strives to increase and improve the conditions for conducting and disseminating research on photography. More information about HDK-Valand can be found here: HDK-Valand - Academy of Art and Design, University of Gothenburg More information about The Hasselblad Foundation can be found here:https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/en/

Duties

Within the position, you as a postdoctoral fellow are given an early opportunity to develop your independence as a researcher and create the conditions for further qualifications. The position is a full-time position (100%) that primarily consists of your own artistic research, which is expected to contribute to the research and teaching environment at HDK-Valand, including within the collaborative project with the Hasselblad Foundation Plants & Symbiosis: Expanding Photography (see link below), and potentially to other research and exhibition activities at the Hasselblad Foundation. This means, for example, contributing to research symposia as well as educational and scientific seminars. The candidate is also expected to present their project in artistic contexts, public arenas and/or publications in leading academic journals. For more information regarding Plants & Symbiosis: Expanding Photography: https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/en/seminars_en As a postdoctoral fellow, you are expected to carry out the majority of your work on site in Gothenburg, and to participate in the photographic collegiate at HDK-Valand. The working language is English and/or Swedish or one of the Scandinavian languages.

Project

The applicant defines a project with a focus on photographic practice and/or lens-based technologies. Emphasis is placed on innovative perspectives on contemporary photography, but archival material and photohistorical issues are also relevant. Projects are welcome to challenge and develop the genre of "nature photography" and may, for example, include creative/artistic investigations of the role of photography in the conservation of endangered species and environments; the potential of new photographic techniques for citizen science and/or in interdisciplinary projects, the relationship between technology and ecology, and critical perspectives on human exploitation of natural resources.

The project can be linked to current projects at HDK-Valand and the Hasselblad Foundation, for example the collaborative project Plants & Symbiosis: Expanding Photography, as well as other relevant institutions locally and regionally within and outside academia. Plants & Symbiosis examines the relationship between photography and botany from a multidisciplinary perspective, including indigenous natural knowledge, ecofeminism, queer ecologies, sustainable technologies, etc.

Applications with practice-based or practice-led artistic research will be prioritized. We welcome projects that take a philosophically-theoretical approach or projects that focus on complex relationships between art and natural and environmental sciences, for example inventory, conservation, virtual remote research, storytelling with XR techniques, and collection and processing of visual data in research. It can also be projects which include decolonial perspectives or engagements with 'marginalized knowledge'. Applications will also be evaluated based on an ethical and critical approach to technology and subject matter.

Eligibility

Eligibility for employment as a postdoctoral fellow is regulated in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg (GU 2024/3252) and the Agreement on a fixed-term postdoctoral appointment (agreement date 2021-11-19).

To be employed under the Agreement on a fixed-term postdoctoral appointment, a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree is required. This qualification requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made. To be employed under this agreement, the person should primarily be considered who has completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree no more than three years ago. When calculating the three-year time frame, the starting point is the last date of application. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, service in the Swedish National Defence Force, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria

In addition to the general research competence expected of someone holding a doctoral degree, special emphasis will be placed on whether the applicant demonstrates:
• documented thorough knowledge about photography, art, contemporary and visual practice (artistic)
• a critical approach and an ethical awareness in relation to photography and technology
• ability to define a feasible and innovative research project
• capacity to initiate and develop collaboration with the surrounding society
• established networks both nationally and internationally
• good skills in communication, planning and practical organizational skills.

Teaching experience is an advantage.

For further information regarding the assessment of the application, see above under the headingProject.

We will make a comprehensive assessment and hire the candidate who is considered to have the best conditions to implement and develop the above-mentioned tasks.

Content of the application

The application must contain the following documents:
1. Project description (max. 6,000 characters) in which the applicant explains how the work is intended to be carried out
2. CV including a bibliography and three references who can be contacted by phone or email
3. Portfolio with previous work, including two examples of work based on research in the field relevant to the call and a short, written account of the applicant's research activities; maximum 1+ pages in pdf format
4. Copies of educational certificates/diplomas

The names of the attachments must clearly describe their content. The application can be written in Swedish or English.

Employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment for 2 years, in accordance with the Agreement on a fixed-term postdoctoral appointment, in a full-time (100%) position, placed until further notice at HDK-Valand, in collaboration with the Hasselblad Foundation. The employment will commence 1 September 2026, or as agreed. The work will mainly be carried out on campus, but remote work may be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the University of Gothenburg

Information about the recruitment process

Here you can find further information regarding the recruitment process:How to apply for a position | University of Gothenburg

Contact information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Linda Sternö, Head of Unit: linda.sterno@gu.se

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact the HR function at HDK-Valand: hr@hdk-valand.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

You apply for the position via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply". As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the university by the application deadline.

Publications that cannot be attached to the application digitally should be sent to the following address: HDK-Valand, HR, Box 131, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

Publications must be received by the application deadline.

Applications must be received by:30 January 2026

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.