PhD Candidate in Special Education

At the Special Education Institution, research is conducted from a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature that characterizes special education as a scientific subject.

The special education research addresses conditions for participation and learning from societal, organizational, group, and individual perspectives. The focus is on examining how educational environments can support or hinder development, learning, and socialization for children and adults.

We investigate how difficulties can be prevented by studying the interaction between individuals and environments, identifying protective and risk factors at different levels for people with disabilities, individuals in socially vulnerable situations, and children and students in need of support.

The research encompasses studies of democracy, value issues, and human rights from the perspective of inclusion and participation, as well as questions about how favorable educational environments are created for all children and youth. Other questions studied concern what different disabilities can mean for the individual and for the context they are part of.

More information about us can be found at: Special Education Institution (https://www.su.se/specialpedagogiska-institutionen).

Research Education Subject

This is a targeted announcement.

Project Description

The research project for the doctoral position is titled “Special Education Groups in Preschool, Primary, and Middle School: Perceptions, Quality, and Development of Learning Environments for Students with Autism or Similar Socio-Communicative Challenges,” which has received financial support from the Swedish Research Council and is conducted in collaboration with the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND).

Despite many children with autism and similar socio-communicative challenges being placed in special education groups today, there is very limited research on these learning environments. At the same time, a good learning environment is a prerequisite for implementing evidence-based practices tailored to children's needs in their daily school environment.

The doctoral candidate is expected to conduct three research studies: 1) Investigate the experiences of students, school staff, and guardians regarding special education groups, 2) evaluate the quality of learning environments for students with autism and similar socio-communicative challenges using the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS), 3) conduct and evaluate a randomized controlled study assessing the effect of an APERS-based model including assessments with APERS, feedback, action plan design, and continuous coaching to implement evidence-based practices. The primary outcome measure is the quality of the learning environment for children with autism and similar socio-communicative challenges in the special education groups.

As a doctoral candidate in the project, you are expected to maintain regular contact with the special education groups and schools participating in the project. You need to be driven and responsible, able to work independently, while also demonstrating a good willingness and ability to collaborate within the project. The project includes analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data, supported by experienced researchers.

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have basic and specific eligibility. The eligibility must be fulfilled by the last application date.

You have basic eligibility if you have obtained a degree at the advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility for doctoral education in special education is granted to those who have completed courses of at least 90 hp in special education or in a subject relevant to doctoral education in special education, such as psychology or speech therapy, of which at least 15 hp must consist of a thesis at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country. Instruction is provided in Swedish and English.

Selection

Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to benefit from doctoral education. Criteria used to assess this ability include:

• analysis and structure in previous work
• methodological and scientific ability
• ability for analytical thinking
• familiarity with the research area of the dissertation
• independence, drive, and ability to collaborate
• ability to express oneself verbally and in writing in both Swedish and English
• ability to express oneself in writing in an academic genre.

Previous studies and grades, the quality of the previous thesis, references, relevant experience, and the applicant's written motivation for the application will be used as the basis for assessment.

Particular consideration will be given to the applicant's existing network, professional background, and experiences of meeting children with neuropsychiatric disabilities within, for example, school activities.

Read more about the assessment process in the General Study Plan on the website: www.su.se/specialpedagogiska-institutionen/forskning/börja-forska (https://www.su.se/specialpedagogiska-institutionen/forskning/b%C3%B6rja-forska).

About the Employment

We offer a fixed-term position as a doctoral candidate according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral candidate, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the position may include work with education, research, and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new doctoral position is valid for a maximum of one year, and the employment is renewed thereafter for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University is committed to being a workplace that is free from discrimination and provides equal rights and opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information is provided by the director of doctoral education, Iris-Corinna Schwarz, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the university by the last application date.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: how to apply for a position (https://www.su.se/specialpedagogiska-institutionen/att-s%C3%B6ka-en-anst%C3%A4llning).

Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment, and the pursuit of truth.