PhD Candidate in Language and Literature with Didactic Focus

Luleå University of Technology is experiencing strong growth with world-leading expertise in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results, and with a focus on the Arctic region, we create global societal benefits. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national, and regional companies, public actors, and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of nearly 2.1 billion SEK per year. We currently have 1,900 employees and 18,700 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in Norrbotten and Västerbotten in large projects aimed at a more sustainable society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these highly relevant research projects and the societal transformation that follows. We offer a wide range of educational programs to match the skills that are in demand. We hope you want to help us build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The Department of Education, Language and Subject Didactics at the institution has an extensive operation with 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 Language and Literature with a didactic focus on reading and writing acquisition in early years to strengthen the competence in our research subject and contribute to knowledge and skills in the schools in our region.

Subject Description

Language and Literature with a didactic focus emphasizes research related to language and literature in schools, subject didactics, and the content of teacher education. The research includes cultural, literary, and linguistic perspectives. Central study objects are didactic aspects of children's, adolescents', and adults' communicative practices and conditions for language development as well as cultural and literary socialization. The research is primarily practice-oriented, mainly involving the school subjects Swedish and English, and is characterized by collaboration with practitioners in school practice.

Project Description

In this PhD project, we focus on reading and writing acquisition during the early school years – how children develop basic skills in reading and writing and what factors influence this development. The research in this area examines, among other things, how teaching, linguistic stimulation, play, digital resources, and the social context of the classroom interact and shape children's opportunities to develop reading and writing skills.

The project aims to deepen knowledge about how teaching can be designed to promote early reading and writing development in a way that includes the entire student group. As a PhD candidate, you will be able to design your own project and formulate your own research questions within this research direction, thereby contributing to new knowledge that can develop teaching and strengthen students' early language and literacy development.

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 optional doctoral courses, totaling at least 60 ECTS 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 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits at the advanced level. In addition to the requirement for basic eligibility, a passing grade on an independent thesis totaling 30 ECTS credits at the advanced level in a relevant subject is required. You should have good collaboration skills as well as very good language skills in oral and written communication in Swedish and/or English. A teaching degree and experience in school development or process management are meritorious.

Information

The position as a PhD candidate is time-limited to four years. Teaching and other departmental duties will be added with 20 percent of full-time, which means that the position will be extended to a total of five 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 Professor and Subject Representative Caroline Graeske, 0920-49 10 05, [email protected]

Union representatives:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 20 37 [email protected]
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 17 21 [email protected]

Application

You apply for the position via the application button below, where you attach a personal letter, CV/resume, research proposal (1-2 pages), 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: 7087-2025