Department of Urban and Rural Development
TransRein – On the Transition to Large-Scale Reindeer Husbandry
About the Position
The research assistant we are seeking will be part of the ERC-funded project TransRein. TransRein examines the profound transformation that occurred in northern Eurasia, from the Atlantic coast to the Bering Strait, during the early modern period, as an economy based on hunting, fishing, and small reindeer herds transitioned to large-scale reindeer husbandry. This was a change that fundamentally affected people and societies.
The work involves extracting information from manuscripts dating from 1650 to 1750, primarily court records. Good collaboration with other TransRein members is essential.
Your Background
You must have documented long-term experience extracting information from handwritten material from the period 1650 to 1750. Very good communication skills in Swedish are required. A higher degree in agricultural history or a related historical discipline is a merit.
About Us
The Department of Urban and Rural Development conducts undergraduate and graduate education as well as research and collaboration. Approximately 160 people are employed across five divisions: Agricultural History, Landscape Architecture, Rural Development, Environmental Communication, and the Division of Political Science and Natural Resource Management, which includes Sida's helpdesk for environmental assessment. The department also hosts the Centre for Nature Guidance (CNV). Questions regarding sustainable use of natural resources and landscapes are central to our research, teaching, and collaboration. The department is the largest at SLU within social sciences, humanities, and design.
Agricultural history concerns agrarian production and technical development, social and economic conditions, people in agrarian societies, and their relationship to nature, landscape, and society at large.
Learn more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/
Location:
Uppsala
Employment Type:
Fixed-term employment, 5 months.
Scope:
100%
Start Date:
As soon as possible by agreement.
Application:
Welcome to submit your application via the application button below by September 23, 2026.
Labor Union Representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) plays a key role in developing sustainable living, grounded in science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between people, animals, and ecosystems, and responsible stewardship of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, with operations also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational facilities throughout the country. SLU has over 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral candidates, and an annual turnover exceeding 4.5 billion kronor. The university is committed to creating attractive environments on its campus areas. We work toward an equal and inclusive work environment where open dialogue between people with different experiences forms the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to apply for this position.