Vacant job

PhD Candidate in Educational Work

We are now looking for a PhD candidate in educational work, within the project "Science in the Adapted Primary School: A Project on Opportunities and Challenges."

The project aims to deepen the understanding of how science education can be planned, implemented, and developed in the adapted primary school (AGS). Although science is relevant for all citizens, there is limited research on how the subject can be taught to students with intellectual disabilities (ID). The project combines the didactics of science with special education research and is conducted in close collaboration with teachers in AGS. An inspiration for the project is international studies that show that teaching that includes the character of science and students' inquiry can strengthen students with difficulties. The project contributes new knowledge about inclusive science education for students with ID and aims to develop didactic models to support teachers' planning and analysis. For a detailed project description: read here (https://researchportal.hkr.se/sv/projects/naturvetenskap-i-den-anpassade-grundskolan-ett-projekt-om-m%C3%B6jligheter/).

At the Faculty of Teacher Education, research and education are conducted in a wide range of areas. For information about the faculty's research, see here (https://www.hkr.se/forskning/).

The PhD candidate will be linked to the research environment Learning in Science and Mathematics (https://www.hkr.se/forskning/forskningsmiljoer/learning-in-science-and-mathematics-lisma/), as well as to the research group in special education (https://www.hkr.se/forskning/forskningsmiljoer/forskning-relationell-pedagogik-forp/forskningsgruppen-specialpedagogik/).

Job Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will participate in planning and overall activities for the current PhD project, but also work independently on your own dissertation and your doctoral studies, which include both mandatory and elective courses. The project involves collaborating with active teachers in one or more adapted primary schools under supervision, organizing and leading workshops for teachers on science education for students with intellectual disabilities, as well as data collection in the form of focus groups, interviews, and observations of teaching. The doctoral studies involve extensive literature reviews of research published internationally, as well as writing scientific texts and presentations at national and international conferences.

You will be employed, have your workplace, 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 doctoral students in the faculty's research environments. The education includes mandatory courses at Kristianstad University and elective courses which are often conducted at other institutions. Studies can be combined with a maximum of 20% institutional service, provided that space is available at the institution.

Eligibility and Qualifications

To be eligible for doctoral education, you must meet the requirements for basic and specific eligibility and have the necessary ability to complete the education.

You have basic eligibility through a 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 equivalent knowledge (HF, Chapter 7, Section 39). For specific eligibility, you need to have basic eligibility, teacher education, and at least two years of pedagogical professional experience, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge (HF Chapter 7, Section 40).

In addition to the general and specific eligibility, an assessment of your ability to benefit from the education will be of great importance. At Kristianstad University, the following assessment criteria are applied: previous study results, the quality of previous independent work, motivation and expectations for the doctoral education, theoretical awareness, ability to benefit from supervision, ability to be independent, and linguistic and analytical skills. It is advantageous to have teacher education in a scientific subject, special teacher education specializing in intellectual disabilities, and experience in teaching scientific subjects or in the adapted primary school.

You have good computer skills and can communicate well verbally and in writing in Swedish and English. If you have knowledge of the use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), it is an asset. In the role of PhD candidate, it is important that you have a good ability to communicate and interact with different groups. You collaborate well with others, are self-driven and structured. You take initiative, are flexible, and pedagogical by adapting your message to the recipient.

Other

The start date is 2026-09-01 or by agreement. The position is full-time or another degree of employment by agreement. Regulations for employment as a PhD candidate can be found in the regulation SFS 1993:100, Chapter 5. The employment concerns doctoral studies leading to a doctorate. As a PhD candidate, you will receive a fixed-term employment covering four years of full-time studies regulated by HF Chapter 5, Sections 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 culminating in a doctorate consists of 240 higher education credits. In cases where institutional service occurs, the doctoral education must be extended correspondingly.

Application

The application must include:

• CV/Resume
• A description of your motivations for applying for a PhD position within the framework of the research project and what expectations you have for the doctoral education in both subject and research area (maximum 3 pages, 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing)
• Attach the works (master's thesis, reports, theses, scientific articles, etc.) that you have completed.

The application deadline is 2026-02-22.

If you have questions, please contact:

About the project: Lena Hansson, Professor of Science Didactics: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) Daniel Östlund, Professor of Pedagogy, specializing in special education, [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 submit 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).