Doctoral School on Subject Didactics Models in Early School Years (BEPPE)

Karlstad University and the University of Gothenburg are seeking nine doctoral students for the BEPPE doctoral school starting September 1, 2026.

Five positions are available at Karlstad University and four at the University of Gothenburg. We are looking for candidates who wish to research practice-oriented subject didactics in primary school F–6 and teacher education.

You will specify which doctoral subject you are applying for based on your own subject background and research focus. The doctoral school welcomes projects in the fields of Natural Sciences (biology, physics, and chemistry), Social Sciences (geography, history, religious studies, and civics), mathematics, or languages, that have a clear subject didactic question. For a corresponding advertisement, but for admission at the University of Gothenburg, see:xxxxx

Information Meeting

A digital information meeting about the doctoral school will be held on Zoom on February 12 from 4-5 PM. No registration is required. Welcome to participate! Zoom link (https://kau-se.zoom.us/j/4678317754?omn=64680222106)

Focus of the Doctoral School

Despite a long tradition of teacher education at universities, there is a lack of a stable scientific foundation for the interaction between teaching and learning. The BEPPE doctoral school aims to contribute to a more systematic understanding of how some scientifically established, yet different, subject didactic models function in various subjects and school contexts and how they can be integrated into teacher education and primary school F-6. Through coordinated classroom studies, qualities in teaching that enhance students' learning and provide a broader understanding of “best practice” are identified.

Description of the Doctoral School

You will be admitted to Karlstad or Gothenburg University but can be employed at another national institution that conducts teacher education. It is also possible for those who currently lack a connection to any of the country's teacher education programs to apply. The BEPPE doctoral school offers you a dynamic environment with opportunities to establish international networks, participate in conferences, and undertake study visits abroad. For further information about the doctoral school and its focus: BEPPE (https://www.kau.se/rose/forskarutbildning/utbildningssatsningar/best-practice-en-forskarskola-om-amnesdidaktiska)

Subject Environments

The doctoral school is part of the subject didactic research environment at Karlstad University. This consists of Rose (Research on Subject-specific Education) and three subject didactic centers: CSL (Center for Language and Literature Didactics), CSD (Center for the Didactics of Social Science Subjects), and SMEER (Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education Research). The subject didactic perspective implies a particular interest in teaching and learning in subjects or subject areas. As a doctoral student, you will be linked to one of our subject didactic environments. Rose (https://www.kau.se/rose), CSL (https://www.kau.se/csl), CSD (https://www.kau.se/centrum-de-samhallsvetenskapliga-amnenas-didaktik-csd), SMEER (https://www.kau.se/smeer)

Job Responsibilities

As a doctoral student, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education. The doctoral education, which consists of 240 higher education credits (hp) for a doctoral degree and 120 hp for a licentiate degree, is an opportunity for paid studies combined with work and a chance to start an academic career. As a doctoral student, you will work independently and be prepared to contribute in various ways to the subject's and institution's work and development. You will have the opportunity to deepen your interest areas together with others. It may, by agreement, become relevant to participate in teaching and administration, known as institutional service. Such work can comprise a maximum of 20% of full working hours. The work as a doctoral student gives you great freedom to plan and structure your work, which requires commitment, drive, and the ability to organize your work to successfully complete a dissertation. To contribute to a good working environment and support both the institution's and your own development as a researcher, you are present and actively participate in the daily work and community.

Eligibility and Admission

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

Basic eligibility is granted to those who have obtained a degree at an advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 hp, of which at least 60 hp at an advanced level, or who have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in or outside the country (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39).

Specific eligibility varies between subjects, and the requirements are specified in the current study plan. Depending on your educational background, admission may occur to different doctoral subjects with different study plans. Current study plans with specific requirements for specific eligibility are available at Kau.se (https://www.kau.se/forskning/forskarutbildning/forskarutbildningar/forskarutbildningsamnen)

Current Doctoral Subjects Include:

• Biology
• English
• History
• Chemistry
• Cultural Geography (Geography)
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Materials Technology
• Educational Work

In addition to basic and specific eligibility, good knowledge of a Scandinavian language is also required for this position due to the nature of the research.

Assessment Criteria:

The assessment of eligible applicants will be based on the following criteria.

• Particular importance is placed on documented qualifications regarding the quality of the qualifying thesis/dissertation
• Quality of the submitted research plan and its relevance in relation to the focus of the doctoral school.

Great importance is placed on:

• Intention to be present and participate in the research environment.
• Personal qualities such as self-driven, persistent, initiative-taking, and good collaboration skills.
• Good knowledge of English

Teaching experience, primarily in primary school, and also in other school forms, is an advantage.

Conditions

Upon admission to doctoral education, an employment as a doctoral student will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5 § 3). The employment covers four years of full-time studies with only research. If teaching or other institutional service becomes relevant, the employment will be extended for the corresponding time, up to a maximum of five years full-time. The employment is initially limited to one year and can thereafter be extended for a maximum of two years at a time (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5), with start date by agreement.

The salary for the doctoral student position follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

Admission is subject to the necessary decisions being made.