PhD Candidate in Social Work

Description

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is making an open call for a position in the doctoral program culminating in a PhD in Social Work at the Department of Social and Psychological Studies.

Within the field of Social Work at Karlstad University, teaching is conducted at undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels. The subject is responsible for a social work program with approximately 350 students, and about 30 people work with education and research in the field. Social Work is part of a multidisciplinary department along with sociology, psychology, and gender studies. Research in Social Work is conducted at the individual, group, and societal levels. The aim is to contribute knowledge about the causes of, consequences of, and solutions to social problems, as well as methods and perspectives for the development of social work practice. Research in Social Work at Karlstad University is characterized by a strong focus on practice-relevant relevance, co-creation of knowledge processes, and critical perspectives. Central themes in the research include:

• Young people's living conditions, particularly in relation to upbringing, school environment, exposure to violence, mental health, criminal environments, and social child and youth care
• User perspectives and participation, focusing on social psychiatry and support for individuals with autism and ADHD
• Conditions for social work practice, for example in elderly care and in interactions with migrants, as well as conditions for knowledge-based and coordinated work within social services and related activities.

We welcome applicants with an interest in the research conducted in Social Work at Karlstad University.

Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education. The doctoral program, which consists of 240 ECTS credits, involves paid studies. As a PhD candidate, you will work independently and be prepared to contribute in various ways to the subject's and department's work and development. It may be relevant to participate in teaching and administration, known as departmental duties, after agreement. Such work usually comprises 20% of full-time work. The work as a PhD candidate gives you great freedom to plan and structure your day. It requires commitment, self-motivation, and the ability to organize in order to achieve your dissertation goals. Experienced supervisors will support you along the way. To contribute to a good working environment and the development of the organization, you are present and participate in daily work and community.

Eligibility

To be admitted to the doctoral program, you must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 35).

General eligibility is met by those who have completed a master's degree, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits at the advanced level, or who have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in other ways, within or outside the country (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39).

Specific eligibility to be admitted to the doctoral program in Social Work is granted to those who have completed at least 120 ECTS credits in Social Work or another related subject, of which at least 30 ECTS credits at the advanced level, including an independent project (thesis) of at least 15 ECTS credits. Those who have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in other ways, within or outside the country, are also eligible.

Admission and Assessment Criteria

To be admitted to the doctoral program, you must be assessed to have the ability to benefit from the education (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

The assessment criteria are divided as follows: of great importance, of importance, and meritorious.

Of Great Importance

• The quality of independent written works of a research nature
• The scientific quality and relevance of the attached research proposal for Social Work
• Good ability to independently prioritize, structure, and carry out work effectively
• Good knowledge of English, both spoken and written
• Good language proficiency in Swedish since doctoral courses in Social Work are primarily conducted in Swedish, and good knowledge of Swedish also provides greater opportunities for empirical data for the dissertation

Of Importance

• Degree in Social Work
• Personal qualities such as good collaborative skills, responsibility, and commitment to the organization
• Intention to be present and participate in the research environment

Meritorious

• Experience of research or development-related activities
• Professional experience relevant to Social Work

Conditions

Upon admission to doctoral education, an employment as a PhD candidate will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5 § 3). The employment covers four years of full-time studies, but based on the degree of departmental duties, some extension may occur. The employment is initially limited to one year and can then be extended by a maximum of two years at a time, with start dates according to agreement.

The salary for the PhD candidate position follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

Other

We value the qualities that a balanced age and gender distribution and ethnic and cultural diversity bring to the organization.

Application

To see the full advertisement and how to apply, visit our job page at www.kau.se (https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss)

HR Excellence in Research

Karlstad University received the HR Excellence in Research award in September 2020. This award is given to employers who provide a stimulating work environment and good conditions for researchers and continuously work to develop these. The award demonstrates the university's commitment to fair and transparent recruitment as well as favorable professional development for researchers. Read more at https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss/karlstads-universitet-som-arbetsgivare/human-resources-strategi-forskare-hrs4r (https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss/karlstads-universitet-som-arbetsgivare/human-resources-strategi-forskare-hrs4r)