Researcher on land governance and Indigenous rights
Stift The Stockholm Environment Institute, Sei
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🗓 Ansök senast 25 maj 2026
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We are looking for a researcher to contribute to our work on land governance and Indigenous rights, with a focus on Sápmi. We are looking for someone with excellent analytical skills and a strong commitment to environment and justice issues.
The role
We are recruiting a researcher to join our work on land governance and Indigenous rights, with a focus on Sápmi (the Sámi homeland). This is a unique opportunity to work in a growing research environment in close collaboration with policy and practice, on projects often are carried out in collaboration with Sámi organizations, government agencies and industry.
Your primary task will be to contribute to our research agenda on negotiated agreements between Sámi herding communities and developers in sectors such as wind power, mining, hydropower and tourism. The research is conducted within the Formas-funded program “Agreement-making in the Sámi homeland: Investigating an emerging tool in green transition governance”. In the absence of functional state regulation, developers and herding communities increasingly turn to negotiated agreements to address land use conflicts. Because these agreements are confidential, little is known about their content – and this program is conducting the first in-depth empirical investigation.
There may also be opportunities to participate in other projects in the team, on topics such as Sámi democratic engagement in the energy transition, critical mineral governance, and other areas of Indigenous land rights and environmental governance.
Key duties and responsibilities:
Lead data analysis and the drafting of academic publications
Review research literature, policy documents and legislation
Contribute to ethical research processes with Sámi herding communities
Contribute to workshops, including event planning and presentations of research findings
Work with other team members to formulate policy advice for Swedish and European government actors, from a rights-based and holistic viewpoint
Contribute to applications for research grants and other funding.
Who you are
We are looking for someone with excellent analytical skills and a strong commitment to social justice and environmental issues. You should also have excellent interpersonal skills, and an interest in and ability to work in an international environment.
We expect that applicants for this role may recently have completed their doctoral studies and be at the start of their academic careers. However, we also welcome more experienced applicants and can tailor the role to suit your qualifications. Candidates without a PhD may also be considered if they offer equivalent experience and competences.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
PhD in a relevant academic field, such as political science, law, human geography, sociology or interdisciplinary environmental studies
Excellent spoken and written English
Professional experience in relevant thematic fields, such as Indigenous rights, business and human rights, land management, environmental licensing of industry projects, or negotiation and mediation.
Prior experience with projects conducted in collaboration with Sámi organizations, or other Indigenous Peoples’ organizations globally, is an advantage
Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage
Weight is given to personal and communication skills, including the candidate’s ability to integrate into our team and contribute complementary competence.
How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so please apply as soon as possible and no later than the 24 May, 23:00 Stockholm local time.
Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter (maximum one page). We only accept applications through our recruitment system, so please apply online via our website and include:
Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience
Curriculum vitae.
About SEI
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges.
We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.
Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.
We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.
Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.
The role
We are recruiting a researcher to join our work on land governance and Indigenous rights, with a focus on Sápmi (the Sámi homeland). This is a unique opportunity to work in a growing research environment in close collaboration with policy and practice, on projects often are carried out in collaboration with Sámi organizations, government agencies and industry.
Your primary task will be to contribute to our research agenda on negotiated agreements between Sámi herding communities and developers in sectors such as wind power, mining, hydropower and tourism. The research is conducted within the Formas-funded program “Agreement-making in the Sámi homeland: Investigating an emerging tool in green transition governance”. In the absence of functional state regulation, developers and herding communities increasingly turn to negotiated agreements to address land use conflicts. Because these agreements are confidential, little is known about their content – and this program is conducting the first in-depth empirical investigation.
There may also be opportunities to participate in other projects in the team, on topics such as Sámi democratic engagement in the energy transition, critical mineral governance, and other areas of Indigenous land rights and environmental governance.
Key duties and responsibilities:
Lead data analysis and the drafting of academic publications
Review research literature, policy documents and legislation
Contribute to ethical research processes with Sámi herding communities
Contribute to workshops, including event planning and presentations of research findings
Work with other team members to formulate policy advice for Swedish and European government actors, from a rights-based and holistic viewpoint
Contribute to applications for research grants and other funding.
Who you are
We are looking for someone with excellent analytical skills and a strong commitment to social justice and environmental issues. You should also have excellent interpersonal skills, and an interest in and ability to work in an international environment.
We expect that applicants for this role may recently have completed their doctoral studies and be at the start of their academic careers. However, we also welcome more experienced applicants and can tailor the role to suit your qualifications. Candidates without a PhD may also be considered if they offer equivalent experience and competences.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
PhD in a relevant academic field, such as political science, law, human geography, sociology or interdisciplinary environmental studies
Excellent spoken and written English
Professional experience in relevant thematic fields, such as Indigenous rights, business and human rights, land management, environmental licensing of industry projects, or negotiation and mediation.
Prior experience with projects conducted in collaboration with Sámi organizations, or other Indigenous Peoples’ organizations globally, is an advantage
Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage
Weight is given to personal and communication skills, including the candidate’s ability to integrate into our team and contribute complementary competence.
How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so please apply as soon as possible and no later than the 24 May, 23:00 Stockholm local time.
Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter (maximum one page). We only accept applications through our recruitment system, so please apply online via our website and include:
Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience
Curriculum vitae.
About SEI
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges.
We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.
Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.
We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.
Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.