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We are now seeking four PhD candidates in educational work focusing on younger children in educational institutions (preschool and after-school care) based at the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning.

Your responsibilities

The PhD projects will involve one or more of the following areas:

• Research focusing on diversity in terms of socioeconomic background, culture, language, or religion. Studies in this area may include questions about the education of younger children and students in multicultural environments as well as teachers' work with inclusion and participation.
• Research focusing on collaboration between educational institutions for younger children and social services.
• Research focusing on literacy. Studies in this area may include questions about, for example, reading aloud for different ages and in various contexts, and the development of younger children's and students' literacy.
• Research focusing on play. Studies in this area may include questions about children's play in preschool or after-school care, as well as the role and function of play in education. Furthermore, the relationship between play and teaching and play and physical activity can be studied.

As a PhD candidate, you will dedicate yourself to your doctoral education and the research projects you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental assignments, up to 20% of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have completed a master's degree or finished courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level, or have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way.

Special eligibility for admission to doctoral education is granted to applicants who have completed an independent project (thesis) of at least 15 higher education credits at the master's level relevant to educational work. Furthermore, the applicant should have good proficiency in English, both spoken and written.

Applicants will be assessed based on their ability to benefit from doctoral education, primarily as demonstrated in submitted materials. Selection will consider academic results that show creativity, the ability to work independently and in a structured manner, the ability for independent judgment and critical analysis, as well as good writing skills. The most qualified candidates will undertake writing tests in Swedish and English and will be invited for an interview.

A statement of purpose of a maximum of three A4 pages should be attached to the application. The statement should include a reflection on the questions that the applicant finds interesting and relevant to research.

Your workplace

The positions are located at the Department of Learning, Aesthetics, and Natural Sciences (LEN), Campus Norrköping. The department conducts practice-oriented research aimed at understanding and problematizing the conditions for education and teaching in, among others, preschool, preschool class, school, and after-school care. To enhance understanding of the everyday work of schools, several methods for empirical studies are applied, such as field studies, interviews, and observations.

The most extensive assignment for the LEN department is to participate in teacher education programs (preschool teachers, primary teachers, and subject teachers) in Norrköping and Linköping. LEN also carries out assignments in a master's program within the field of educational sciences and in supplementary pedagogical education for unqualified teachers and teachers with foreign degrees. Additionally, the department's teachers teach independent courses and commissioned education. Collaboration occurs with municipalities, individual schools, and school areas through research projects, courses, and supervision, as well as various assignments from authorities.

Within the department, there are two research environments: Educational Work (PAN) and Technology, Natural Sciences, and Didactics (TekNaD). The doctoral education for these announced positions takes place within the framework of the research environment Educational Work.

The PhD positions are part of Linköping University's special initiative on research concerning after-school care. The aim of this initiative is to build a nationally strong research environment focused on after-school care and a sustainable research foundation for the education of primary teachers with a focus on after-school care.

About the position

Upon taking up the position, you will be admitted to doctoral education. Read more about the respective faculty's doctoral education here.

The position is temporary for four years full-time. You will initially be employed for one year, and thereafter the employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan. Extension of employment up to five years may occur based on the degree of teaching and departmental assignments. In special cases, further extension may be granted.

Start date is September 1, 2025.

Salary and benefits

The PhD salary is regulated according to a locally agreed salary scale. Read more about benefits for employees here.

Union contacts

For information about union contacts, see Help for applicants.

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must be received by Linköping University no later than April 28, 2025. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as this enriches and develops our operations. For us, it is self-evident to uphold everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work with Equal Conditions.

Welcome with your application!

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