PhD Candidate in Sociology and Work Science

University of Gothenburg meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. 56,000 students and 6,600 employees make the university a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education programs attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future. General information about what it means to be a PhD candidate at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's PhD pages.

Job Responsibilities

The Department of Sociology and Work Science is seeking a PhD candidate for work within the existing project: Is Justice Blind? A Comparison Between Voluntary and Coercive Rape Legislation. The project aims to systematically investigate legal bias in rape judgments before and after the introduction of the consent law in 2018. The project is divided into three sub-studies aiming to: 1) examine the effect of background variables for both the accused and the complainant, as well as their interaction effects on the assessment of rape cases in District Court and Court of Appeal, including the proportion of changed decisions in Court of Appeal before and after the introduction of the new law; 2) analyze the wording in judgments that justify legal decisions, especially when they are changed by the Court of Appeal, before and after the new law; 3) analyze the relationship between 1) and 2) and its consequences for legal practice in collaboration with legal practitioners. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own questions within the project's framework based on the collected material.

More information about the project can be found here: Is Justice Blind - a Summary (#). For a complete project description or questions, please contact the project leader Åsa Wettergren.

The project involves collecting and analyzing large datasets, including judgments, which means that the PhD candidate will have contact with relevant authorities (district courts, courts of appeal) and is responsible for building a comprehensive database. The work will involve statistical analysis and quantitative content analysis, mainly using the programming language Python. The PhD candidate will work together with supervisors and project members who have these competencies. The project also requires very good knowledge of the Swedish language as it involves collecting, coding, and analyzing Swedish legal documents and also collaborating with legal authorities.

Eligibility

To be admitted to doctoral education at the doctoral level, basic and, if applicable, the specific eligibility established in the general study plan for the doctoral subject is required.

Basic eligibility for doctoral education at the doctoral level is granted to those who:

• have obtained 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 other ways, within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility for doctoral education in sociology is granted to those who have obtained a degree at the advanced level in sociology or have acquired equivalent knowledge in other ways, within or outside the country.

Admission and Employment

After being admitted to doctoral education, you will receive a PhD position at the University of Gothenburg.

Regulations for employment as a PhD candidate can be found in the ordinance SFS 1993:100.

The first employment as a PhD candidate may last for a maximum of one year and may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

A PhD candidate may be employed as a PhD candidate for a maximum of eight years, but the total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years.

The position should be taken up in mid-August 2025.

The university applies local agreements on salary setting for PhD candidates.

The doctoral education at the Department of Sociology and Work Science requires physical presence to conduct studies. If the admitted candidate needs a residence permit to study in Sweden, the Department of Sociology and Work Science has the right to revoke the admission decision if the admitted candidate cannot present a valid residence permit by the date of the start of studies.

More Information and Application

You apply for admission to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the advertisement and that it is received by the university by the application deadline.

The university actively works for a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the organization.

The university applies individual salary setting.

According to the National Archives' regulations, the university is obliged to store application documents for two years after the appointment decision. If you, as an applicant for a position, specifically request the return of your documents, they will be returned after the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be disposed of.

To staffing and recruitment companies and to you as a seller: The University of Gothenburg engages contracted advertising agencies in connection with the recruitment of staff. We kindly but firmly request no direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies or sellers of job advertisements.