Postdoctoral Researcher in Child and Youth Studies

At the Department of Child and Youth Studies at Stockholm University, around 120 employees conduct teaching and research in child and youth studies, preschool didactics, children's culture, and leisure pedagogy.

This announcement is related to the subject of child and youth studies and is located at the Division of Child and Youth Studies (BUVA). More information about us can be found at: https://www.su.se/enheter/barn--och-ungdomsvetenskapliga-institutionen (https://www.su.se/enheter/barn--och-ungdomsvetenskapliga-institutionen).

Project Description

The position is linked to the project "Swedish Tweens – Middle School Students' Everyday Lives Online and Offline, In and Out of School,” funded by the Swedish Research Council. The project investigates how middle school students experience, negotiate, and “do” childhood at two Swedish schools in the Stockholm area. These students, often referred to as tweens, are situated between childhood and adolescence. For them, life online and offline is deeply intertwined. The adult world often responds with concern and speaks of an accelerated childhood, but knowledge is lacking about how this affects tweens' schooling and leisure – two spheres that are closely interconnected. To fill this knowledge gap, the project conducts extensive ethnographic fieldwork at two schools in grades 4 and 6, located in socioeconomically different areas of Stockholm, interviews and focus groups with a selection of tweens and their parents, as well as focused digital ethnography. The project takes an interdisciplinary approach, based on child and youth studies, critical education science, and feminist theory. The project is led by project leader Linnea Bodén, together with Tanja Joelsson, supported by an international scientific expert committee.

Job Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to primarily plan and conduct the extensive ethnographic fieldwork at two schools in grades 4 and 6, within the framework of the research project on tweens. The fieldwork includes participant observations and interviews with children aged 9–13.

The job responsibilities include conducting and publishing research within the framework of the research project on tweens, actively participating in the research group's work on the project, research-related administration, as well as participating in and leading research seminars and other research-related tasks within the framework of the project. Teaching may also be included in the position.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the position of postdoctoral researcher, a completed doctoral degree or a foreign degree assessed to be equivalent to a relevant doctoral degree is required. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made.

Assessment Criteria

It is advantageous if the doctoral degree or equivalent has been obtained no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an earlier obtained degree may also be considered advantageous. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, trust assignments within trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical service or relevant service/assignments for the subject area.

In the appointment, special emphasis will be placed on scientific competence. The basis for assessment is the ability to develop and conduct high-quality research. The applicant must demonstrate documented good scientific competence through the quality of their dissertation and other publications. The applicant must have well-documented ability to collaborate, as well as the ability and suitability otherwise needed to perform the tasks well.

It is a requirement to have conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork with children/youth, including both participant observations and interviews with children/youth. Particularly advantageous is also having worked analytically from critical approaches, where age, gender, race/ethnicity, class, and other power structures have been central.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• The relevance, strength, and relation of the research plan to the project “Swedish Tweens,” as well as to child and youth studies.
• The quality of scientific publications and their relation to research topics and areas relevant to the project.
• Previous methodological experiences of ethnography, and the quality of scientific analyses based on ethnographic research material.
• Other merits that support the applicant's research and collaboration abilities.

About the Position

The position is full-time and is permanent, but for at least two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension if there are special reasons. Start date 2026-08-01 or by agreement.

We Offer

With us, you will experience the dynamics of the interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and receive favorable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good connections to the city.

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

Contact

For inquiries about the position, please contact head Danielle Ekman Ladru at phone 08-1207 6226, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the project can be directed to project leader Linnea Bodén, phone 08-1207 6215, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the documents requested in the application form.

You, as the applicant, are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete and that it is submitted to the university no later than the application deadline.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the webpage: https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-på-su/att-söka-en-anställning (https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-p%C3%A5-su/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.