PhD Candidate in Business Administration with a focus on Lifelong Learning

The Department of Economics, Geography, Law, and Tourism operates at Campus Sundsvall and Campus Östersund. The activities include research and education in the fields of business administration, law, economics, statistics, geography, and tourism studies.

Business administration is one of the largest subjects at Mid Sweden University, with operations of approximately equal scope in Sundsvall and Östersund.

The subject offers education at both undergraduate and advanced levels, including a Master's program with two specializations: marketing & business development and accounting & finance. The business administration research in Sundsvall has a particular connection to the Center for Research on Economic Relations (CER), focusing on areas such as banking, insurance, pensions, and lifelong learning. The research in Östersund is profiled towards entrepreneurship, business development, and tourism. The activities are largely characterized by collaboration with the surrounding community in terms of joint research projects and commissioned training.

The announced position refers to a so-called jubilee PhD student funded by the Knowledge and Competence Development Foundation (KK Foundation) and is linked to the activities conducted at CER. The position focuses on lifelong learning as a strategic resource for organizational development and emphasizes the learning of professionals in an increasingly digitalized financial sector. The specific focus of the work will be formulated in consultation with appointed supervisors. The PhD candidate will be affiliated with GRADE, a national graduate school focused on digitalization and learning, organized by Mid Sweden University and eight other Swedish universities. The position also entails commitments to the funder (KK Foundation).

The position requires familiarity with empirical investigations, as a large part of the research is conducted in collaboration with actors in the surrounding community. It is important that the PhD student can contribute to the activities at CER, including education and administration, as well as to the research training environment by being present at the designated location. The position is intended to lead to a doctoral degree.

Responsibilities

Research studies (80%) and administration and/or teaching (20%) over five years.

Eligibility

Basic eligibility is met by those who have completed a degree at the advanced level or have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, or have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either domestically or abroad. Specific eligibility is met by those who have at least 90 higher education credits in business administration or have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either domestically or abroad.

Assessment Criteria

Selection among applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be made with regard to the ability to benefit from the doctoral education. Selection will be based on the following criteria: For the position, documented aptitude for research is required, demonstrated in a bachelor's and/or master's thesis and other written achievements, as well as a good ability to work both independently and in a research group. The application must be accompanied by a project sketch (of no more than four A4 pages), which should contain a dissertation idea and a proposed plan for how the idea can be implemented.

Personal Qualities

We see that you are a person who enjoys challenges, has a good ability to take initiative, and work independently. Other qualities we value include being results-oriented, having the ability to collaborate, and being clear in communication with others. Furthermore, we emphasize a good ability to express oneself in both spoken and written Swedish and English, as well as the ability to drive work forward in unexpected situations.

Information

For further information, please contact the head of the department, Daniel Laven, at daniel.laven@miun.se, 010-142 86 20, or subject representative/center leader Peter Öhman at peter.ohman@miun.se, 010-142 86 77. Information is also available at www.miun.se/jobb/ (www.miun.se/jobb/).

Employment and Start Date

The PhD position corresponds to an employment of five years and is expected to lead to a doctoral degree. In addition to research studies, which comprise 80% of full-time, teaching and administrative work of 20% will be included in the position, making it a full-time position. If the study pace in the doctoral education changes, the employment period will change accordingly.

A new PhD position is valid for a maximum of one year, and the position may then be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. Regulations regarding employment as a PhD student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Start date is September 1, 2025, or by agreement.

Location: Sundsvall

Salary

The starting salary is determined according to a locally agreed salary scale for PhD students at Mid Sweden University.

Processing

The preparation of the employment follows the procedures outlined in Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance and continues in accordance with this link (https://www.miun.se/medarbetare/styrdokument/ny-styrning-planering-och-uppfoljning/Personal/Anstalla-personal/?item=311447).

Application

Application documents must be in Swedish or English. The application should include a verified CV, a description of the applicant, degree certificates, thesis(es), and other relevant publications, as well as a brief description of both research interests and why the applicant believes they are the right person for the position (maximum two A4 pages), and the aforementioned project sketch (maximum four A4 pages).

Welcome with your application via our recruitment system no later than July 18, 2025.