PhD Candidate in Social Work with a Focus on Evidence-Based Practice

The Social Services Development Center Dalarna (SUD) is a collaborative body between Dalarna University, the municipalities of Dalarna, and Region Dalarna within the social welfare sector. SUD serves as a meeting place for professionals, leaders, and researchers who want to work towards developing operations within social services and related healthcare. SUD is now seeking two PhD candidates up to the licentiate degree, one of which is for this project. The aim is to strengthen knowledge within the field by contributing to practice-oriented research for operational development and scientific knowledge advancement. This knowledge will support the development of evidence-based practice in line with the new Social Services Act, where social services operations should be based on science and proven experience.

Within the Department of Health and Welfare at Dalarna University, there is a cohesive academic environment with education and research that has an interdisciplinary approach and collaboration with the surrounding community. This announcement pertains to one position in the doctoral program leading to a licentiate degree and includes doctoral studies funded by SUD corresponding to 50%.

The PhD candidate must be employed full-time in one of the municipalities of Dalarna or Region Dalarna. The candidate will be admitted to the doctoral program in Health and Welfare with a focus on evidence-based practice. The candidate will also be affiliated with SUD to help strengthen research and development in collaboration between the municipalities of Dalarna, Region Dalarna, and Dalarna University.

The PhD candidate will be offered a cohesive structure with courses and targeted activities throughout the doctoral education at Dalarna University. The candidate will have the opportunity to connect with other PhD candidates and researchers at Dalarna University and other institutions, as well as important networks for professionals and partners within SUD, such as the national Graduate School for Professionals in Social Services, FYS.

Your Workday as a PhD Candidate

A doctoral education leading to a licentiate degree consists of two years of full-time studies. For this position, doctoral studies will be conducted at 50% and 50% work with the employer while maintaining salary, which corresponds to a setup of four years.

During the project, the PhD candidate is expected to independently conduct research under supervision through the various stages of the research process. The candidate will take courses and is expected to plan and conduct both qualitative and quantitative studies, with support from supervisors. The candidate will develop their ability to independently critically review and evaluate research results and to communicate research verbally and in writing in English. The candidate is expected to act as a bridge between research and practice, where they are expected to apply the competencies acquired through the doctoral education in the practical work of the organization. The candidate will maintain continuous dialogue with the municipalities of Dalarna, Region Dalarna, Dalarna University, and SUD, and provide feedback on knowledge and research within SUD's area to several operational levels. Therefore, great importance will be placed on both collaboration skills and the ability to cooperate with the surrounding community.

Information about the Project

As a PhD candidate in this project, you will be part of a transdisciplinary research group focusing on preventive work with youth who lack eligibility for upper secondary school. The overarching aim of this project is to map time management, stress, and to strengthen empowerment among students in the Introduction Programs (IM) and the Municipal Activity Responsibility (KAA), as well as to adapt and test a time management intervention together with the youth.

Are You the Person We Are Looking For?

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who have:

1. completed a master's degree,
2. fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level, or
3. acquired equivalent knowledge in other ways, either domestically or internationally.

For this position, it is also required that the applicant has:

1. completed a degree in social work or equivalent and a master's degree in social work/care science/nursing, or a related subject relevant to social services, healthcare, or another relevant field,
2. successfully completed a master's thesis in the field of social services and healthcare,
3. necessary language skills in Swedish and English.

It is advantageous if you have:

• experience working within social services and related healthcare sectors.
• experience in collaborative work across sector boundaries in public operations.

Personal qualities needed to succeed in the role:

• collaborative and cooperative skills, initiative, and a high degree of responsibility.

The Employment

The PhD candidate will retain their regular employment in one of the municipalities of Dalarna or Region Dalarna, where salary and other benefits are maintained. Decisions regarding changed work tasks will be made by the employer where the applicant is employed (municipalities of Dalarna, Region Dalarna), while Dalarna University is responsible for admission to the doctoral program. An employee in Region Dalarna can be admitted to the doctoral program provided there is a valid collaboration agreement between Region Dalarna and SUD.

Assessment Criteria

Dalarna University and the municipalities of Dalarna will consider the candidate who, after a qualitative overall assessment, is deemed to have the best prerequisites for completing doctoral education leading to a licentiate degree within the presented project.

Application Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts of courses included in the degree, etc.
• Completed theses and/or bachelor's/master's degree essays as well as possibly other scientific texts or relevant documents, such as investigation assignments or quality work.
• A brief description of why the applicant is interested in the doctoral education and research project, maximum two pages.
• Contact details for two references.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact rekrytering@du.se (mailto:rekrytering@du.se).

Welcome with your application! You apply via Dalarna University's website no later than April 17, 2025.