PhD Candidate in Education

The Department of Health, Learning and Technology at Luleå University of Technology offers degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, as well as research training leading to a PhD in several subjects. The Department of Education, Language and Subject Didactics has extensive activities in research, development, and teaching within undergraduate education, advanced level education, commissioned education, and independent courses related to teacher education and special education programs, as well as preschool and school. We are now seeking a PhD candidate in Education within the project Grades and Assessment to strengthen the competence in our research area and contribute to knowledge and skills in schools in our region.

Subject Description

Education encompasses learning, upbringing, teaching, education, and other influencing processes in formal and informal contexts. A particular focus is directed towards relationships, participation, collaboration, communication, teacher profession, digital technology, and governance and leadership. Education has three orientations: general pedagogy, special education, and preschool pedagogy. Research within these orientations is conducted based on their specific target groups, and in relation to conditions, content, actors, and contexts within education.

Project Description

This PhD project focuses on grades and assessment – areas that are of great importance for students' learning and development and constitute a central part of the teacher's professional work. At a time when AI is changing the conditions for teaching and assessment, creating both new opportunities and new challenges, the need for in-depth knowledge of how assessment can contribute to monitoring, promoting, and supporting students' learning, as well as strengthening equity in education, is increasing.

A central focus is how the work with grading and assessment can rest on both scientific grounds and proven experience. This proven experience is still a relatively unexplored field, and research can illuminate how teachers interpret, develop, and use such experience in practice. In this way, research can contribute to strengthening the connections between science, profession, and the school's assessment practices. As a PhD candidate, you will be able to design your own project and formulate your own research questions within this research direction.

Job Responsibilities

A PhD position involves both theoretical and practical work. As a PhD candidate, you will be trained in scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and at national and international conferences. You will take mandatory and elective PhD courses, totaling at least 60 higher education credits. Additionally, you will work with teaching and supervision. As a PhD candidate, you will become part of the research environment within the Department of Education, Language and Subject Didactics, and you are expected to contribute to the development of the research environment within the research subject. This includes scientific work with international publications as well as participation in national and international conferences.

Qualifications

You are qualified to apply for this position if you have basic eligibility with a completed degree at the advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level. In addition to the requirement for basic eligibility, specific eligibility for admission to doctoral education in education requires a main area/subject area in education, or a closely related subject, corresponding to 90 credits, of which 30 credits at the advanced level, including an independent project (thesis) comprising at least 15 higher education credits. You should have a good ability to express yourself orally and in writing in Swedish and English. Subject teacher education for grades 7-9 or upper secondary school, as well as experience in school development and collegial processes, is meritorious.

Information

Employment as a PhD candidate is time-limited to 4 years, with teaching and other departmental duties adding up to 20% of full-time, making the position 5 years. Part of the departmental duties will be carried out together with the school principal in their operations or in development work. Place of employment: Luleå. Expected start date: by agreement.

For further information, please contact the acting subject representative, Assistant Professor Anna Öqvist, 0920-49 3037, [email protected]

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 [email protected]
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 [email protected]

Application

You apply for the position via the application button below, attaching a personal letter, CV/resume, research proposal, and copies of verified degree certificates. Mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.

Application deadline: January 20, 2026
Reference number: 7083-2025