The Department of Economic History and International Relations is a dynamic and strong education and research department at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University. Its Economic History section aims to be nationally leading and internationally prominent within its field of research and education. For more information about the department, see www.su.se/english/divisions/department-of-economic-history-and-international-relations.
The department is looking for a PhD student in Economic History. The PhD position is fully funded for 4 years by the project “Tracking Gendered Wealth Inequality: Evidence from Sweden, 1850–1950” and positioned at the Department of Economic History and International Relations.
Project description
Wealth inequality is not just about class; it is also about gender. Globally, women hold less capital, own fewer valuable assets, and are underrepresented among billionaires. They save less for retirement and are overrepresented in low-paying jobs. This persistent gender wealth gap is rooted in historical inequalities. While significant progress has been made in understanding wealth distribution since the seminal work of Piketty, little attention has been given to gendered wealth inequality.
The project “Tracking Gendered Wealth Inequality: Evidence from Sweden, 1850–1950” examines how women accumulated, transmitted, and managed wealth in Sweden over the long run. It maps wealth inequality between men and women and investigates its persistence over time.
Sweden offers an exceptionally rich collection of preserved and digitized probate inventories, tax records, and wills covering this period. The project draws on these sources, combined with a microdata approach and disaggregated inequality measures (Gini decomposition, percentile shares), to map the historical persistence of gendered wealth inequality and illuminate the social and legal mechanisms that upheld it.
Main responsibilities
The PhD student will conduct research within the project “Tracking Gendered Wealth Inequality: Evidence from Sweden, 1850–1950”, which is led by Docent Elise Dermineur Reuterswärd. The PhD student will work mostly with the collection, processing, and analysis of archival sources — in particular probate inventories, tax records, and wills — and contribute to building a database of male and female wealth holdings. The work will combine quantitative analysis of wealth distribution (including inequality measures such as Gini decomposition and percentile shares) with qualitative analysis of family, legal, and institutional contexts. The PhD student will be part of a collaborative research environment in economic history and is expected to develop an independent dissertation project within the broader scope of the project.
Qualification requirements
In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.
You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.
Specific entry requirements
Admission to doctoral studies in economic history requires the following:
- a completed first-cycle programme in economic history, or an equivalent programme in a related field such as history, political economy, political sciences or economics, of at least 90 higher education credits, as well as a completed second-cycle programme in economic history or an equivalent programme of at least 30 credits, of which at least 15 credits (or equivalent) shall consist of independent thesis work at a second-cycle level (either 60 credit or 120 credit Master’s thesis)
- an additional 60 credits from completed higher education with a theoretical specialisation in subjects relevant to the doctoral studies, or equivalent studies
- sufficient knowledge of English to be able to benefit from the third-cycle education.
Selection
Selection criteria and admission regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are specified in documentation provided here: Admission regulations for third-cycle study programmes.
More specific criteria for the selection process are:
- independence in the analysis and planning of previous degree projects
- demonstrated ability to work and communicate in teams
- previously demonstrated ability to complete tasks within specified time limits
- ability to formulate areas of investigation and problems, both in previous projects and in the research plan for the planned thesis project
- degree of methodological and scientific maturity in previously performed work, and in the research plan
- demonstrated experience with, or training in, quantitative methods relevant to the analysis of wealth and inequality (e.g. statistical analysis, inequality measures such as Gini and percentile-based methods)
- experience with, or training in, archival research and paleography, particularly with early modern and modern handwritten sources
- reading knowledge of Swedish, which is essential for working with the archival material used in the project
- a background in, or familiarity with, gender history and/or gender theory
- ability to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing.
About the employment
The first three years of the doctoral studies are funded by a scholarship from the Jan Wallander and Tom Hedelius Foundation. The position is full-time, and the doctoral student is covered by the Kammarkollegiet insurance for scholarship-funded doctoral students. The scholarship also includes funds specifically allocated for insurance and pension savings. In the final year, the doctoral student will be employed by the department.
We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).
Planned entry date is August 31, 2026.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Contact
For further information or details concerning the application procedure, please contact Elise Dermineur Reuterswärd, Associate Professor of Economic History, elise.dermineur@su.se, or Johan Svanberg, Chair of the Department of Economic History and International Relations, johan.svanberg@su.se.
Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.
| Type of employment | Temporary position |
|---|---|
| Contract type | Full time |
| Salary | Fixed salary |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Full-time equivalent | 100 % |
| City | Stockholm |
| County | Stockholms län |
| Country | Sweden |
| Reference number | SU FV-1700-26 |
| Union representative | ST/OFR ST/OFR, 08162000, st@st.su.seSaco-S Saco-S, 08162000, saco@saco.su.seSeko Seko, 0770457900, sekodirekt@seko.se |
| Published | 11.May.2026 |
| Last application date | 10.Jun.2026 |