Vacant job

About Us

The operations within the Department of Computer and Systems Science are characterized by a creative and dynamic environment, which includes a very good collaborative climate, modern facilities, and excellent cooperation with the surrounding community. Research studies are conducted in the field of information technology, which at the University of Skövde is defined as the subject that deals with how information is represented, processed, and communicated in artificial and natural systems, as well as how information technology systems are used and developed to achieve useful system solutions for individuals, organizations, or society. The Department of Information Technology conducts education and research in this area.

The Research Project

Self-monitoring - when patients, with the support of digital technology, measure and record their health values, such as blood pressure, weight, or general well-being - is highlighted as an important part of the transition to a closer, integrated, and person-centered care. The hope is that self-monitoring will strengthen patient participation, improve continuity, and create a more proactive approach in everyday healthcare. At the same time, we still know relatively little about how self-monitoring actually works in practice: how patients and relatives experience the responsibility of following and interpreting their health data, how healthcare professionals integrate these practices into already pressured operations, and what conditions are needed for the technology to contribute to increased quality and safety.

This project addresses these knowledge gaps by collecting and analyzing empirical data from those who encounter self-monitoring in their daily lives - patients, relatives, healthcare professionals, and managers. By combining a national survey with in-depth qualitative interviews, the project creates a broad yet detailed understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and risks associated with the implementation and use of self-monitoring in various parts of healthcare. With this accumulated knowledge, the project will develop evidence-based recommendations for how self-monitoring can be introduced, used, and further developed in a way that strengthens, rather than hinders, the transition to Close Care. The goal is to contribute to the technology being introduced safely, securely, and equitably, so that more patients can benefit from its potential while minimizing risks and burdens for both patients and staff.

Your Role

As a PhD student, you will be a central part of the research project and contribute to several parts of the research process. Your tasks will include:

• Participating in the planning, implementation, and analysis of a national survey aimed at patients, managers, and healthcare professionals.
• Conducting and analyzing in-depth interviews with patients, relatives, healthcare professionals, and managers to capture experiences and perspectives on self-monitoring.
• Participating in the synthesis of the project's results and contributing to the development of concrete and research-based recommendations for the implementation of self-monitoring within Close Care.
• Writing scientific articles and conducting dissertation work, including presenting research at national and international seminars and conferences.
• Collaborating closely with the project's research group as well as with regional and national partners in healthcare.

Additional tasks may be included in the position.

We are looking for someone who has:

• completed a master's degree, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.
• a passed thesis of at least 15 credits at the master's level, within the field of information technology, closely related application areas, or other subject areas deemed directly relevant to dissertation work in the field of information technology.
• documented English language skills equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6. This can also be demonstrated through an internationally recognized test such as IELTS (total score 6.5), TOEFL (total score 90), PTE (total score 62), etc.
• very good knowledge of Swedish, both spoken and written, as data collection will be conducted through interviews and surveys with Swedish-speaking participants.

We will also value the following assessment criteria in the employment:

• Good ability to benefit from education in information technology at the doctoral level.
• Documented good collaborative skills.
• Good ability to express oneself in spoken and written English.
• Good communication skills, both orally and in written text.
• Documented good ability to plan, organize, and achieve set goals in one's own work.
• Good understanding of and experience with statistical methods, particularly relevant to the analysis of survey data and quantitative research designs.
• Experience from healthcare or care, as understanding the operations' working methods and context is valuable in the project's data collection and analysis.

In this employment, great importance will be placed on a good understanding of and experience with statistical methods, particularly relevant to the analysis of survey data and quantitative research designs.

Employment form: Fixed-term employment until the doctoral degree is obtained, but no longer than 5 years. The scope of employment is 100%, of which 80% research studies and 20% departmental duties. Only those who are accepted or already admitted to doctoral education may be employed as PhD students.

Reference number: Ref no HS 2025/764

Contact information: Inquiries about the position can be made to department head Jesper Holgersson or Professor Joeri van Laere. Union information can be provided by Anders Johansson (Saco-S) or Sonja Nohlgren (ST). All persons can be reached via the university's switchboard 0500-44 80 00.

Application: You apply for the position via our website, www.his.se/jobb (http://www.his.se/jobb) by clicking on “Apply” at the bottom of the advertisement.

To your application, the following documents should be attached:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Certificates/transcripts and other qualifications you wish to submit
• Statement of interest where you describe in English your research interests and expectations for the doctoral education
• Thesis at the master's level

Contact the HR department at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you have publications that cannot be attached electronically directly in the application. The publications must be submitted to the university no later than one week after the application deadline.