PhD Candidates in Educational Work

We are now looking for two PhD candidates in educational work within the research school FEELIT – Foundations for Equitable and Engaging Reading and Writing Instruction in Early School Years.

The research school FEELIT is led from Linnaeus University in collaboration with, among others, Kristianstad University. The overarching aim is to develop an interdisciplinary and integrated knowledge base among teacher educators in Swedish and Swedish as a second language in early school years (F–6). The PhD projects will relate to central themes connected to students' reading and writing development. More information can be found here: FEELIT (https://lnu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning/svenska-spraket/feelit--forskarskola-i-tidig-las-och-skrivundervisning/).

Job Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will participate in the overall activities of the current research project, but also work independently on your own dissertation work, which includes mandatory elective courses. Your responsibilities also include oral and written scientific communication of research results.

We welcome projects in the following thematic areas:

• A PhD position focused on language didactics in the younger ages (F–6). The project investigates how structured and conscious teaching can support how students develop their reading and/or writing in the early school years. The project may also include aspects of inclusive teaching for students with different backgrounds and needs.
• A PhD position focused on literature didactics in the younger ages (F–6). The project investigates how children's literature can be used in teaching to increase students' engagement and understanding of literary texts. The project may also explicitly include aspects related to how knowledge of children's literature can support inclusive literacy practices.

You will be employed and have your workplace at Kristianstad University and be admitted to doctoral education in educational work at Kristianstad University. As a PhD candidate, you will be part of a seminar group with other PhD candidates in the faculty's research environments. The education includes mandatory courses at Kristianstad University and elective courses which are often conducted at other institutions. You will be part of the research school FEELIT, where you will study the mandatory courses within the research school and participate in regular meetings at the participating institutions. The research environments at Kristianstad University offer a high-quality environment for doctoral education.

The studies can be combined with a maximum of 20% institutional duties, provided that space is available at the institution. For employment, it is required that you are admitted, or will be admitted, to doctoral education.

Eligibility and Qualifications

Eligible for admission to doctoral education is anyone who meets the requirements for basic and specific eligibility and who otherwise has the necessary ability to complete the education.

You have basic eligibility through a completed degree at the advanced level or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired substantially equivalent knowledge (HF, 7 chap. 39§). For specific eligibility, it is required that you have basic eligibility, teacher training, and at least two years of pedagogical professional experience, or in some other way acquired substantially equivalent knowledge (HF 7 chap. 40§).

In addition to the general and specific eligibility, an assessment of the applicant's ability to benefit from the education will be of great importance. At Kristianstad University, the following assessment criteria are applied: previous academic results, the quality of previous independent work, motivation and expectations for doctoral education, theoretical awareness, ability to assimilate supervision, ability to work independently, as well as linguistic and analytical skills. It is an advantage if you have a master's degree in a relevant subject area and experience working in teacher education. Studies beyond teacher education that deepen or broaden knowledge, as well as other experience relevant to the doctoral project, are meritorious.

You have good computer skills and can communicate well orally and in writing in Swedish and English. In the role of a PhD candidate, it is important that you have a good ability to communicate and interact with different groups. You collaborate well with others, can work independently, are stable and creative. You take initiative, are flexible, structured, and pedagogical by adapting your message to the recipient.

Other

Start date is 2026-09-01 or by agreement. The position is full-time or another working degree by agreement. Regulations for employment as a PhD candidate can be found in the ordinance SFS 1993:100, chap 5. The employment concerns doctoral studies leading to a PhD degree. As a PhD candidate, you will receive a fixed-term employment that covers four years of full-time studies regulated by HF chap 5, §§ 3 a, 7. The first employment may last for a maximum of one year. The employment may then be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. The education concluding with a PhD degree comprises 240 higher education credits. In cases where institutional duties occur, the doctoral education must be extended accordingly.

Application

The application must include:

• CV/Resume
• A project plan for a proposed doctoral project, 3–4 pages. The plan should fit within one of the two orientations described above. Please note that the plan is a work sample that serves as a basis for assessment in the admission process. The person who is admitted as a PhD candidate will then develop the plan together with a supervisor within the framework of the research school's themes and goals.
• Attach the works (master's thesis, reports, scientific articles, etc.) that you have completed.

The application deadline is 2026-02-22.

If you have questions, please contact:

About the project: Victoria Johansson, Professor of Swedish with a didactic focus [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
About the doctoral education: Anders Jönsson, Professor of Didactics, Director of Studies for Doctoral Education in Educational Work: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

If you have questions about how to make your application, please contact the system's support at 0520-58 00 50 or via the support box.

See more PhD positions in educational work here (http://www.hkr.se/jobb).