Vacant job

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We are now seeking at least one PhD candidate in Disability and Society, based at the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning.

Your Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will be employed within a national graduate school in special education focusing on interventions in schools. The graduate school is led by Stockholm University and conducted in collaboration with Linköping University, the University of Gothenburg, and Mälardalen University; read more here. You will be admitted to doctoral training in the interdisciplinary field of Disability and Society. The PhD project aims to generate new knowledge about pedagogical and special pedagogical interventions for children and students in need of special support. Specifically, for these PhD positions at Linköping University, there is a focus on language, reading, and/or intellectual disabilities.

Your tasks include planning and executing an independent research project focused on school-related intervention research. Furthermore, the tasks also include empirical analysis and data management, development of research design, and writing scientific articles. You are expected to actively participate in the graduate school's seminars, courses, and networking activities, as well as contribute to the research environment at the department.

As a PhD candidate, you will dedicate yourself to your doctoral education and the research project you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental assignments, up to 20 percent of full-time.

Your Qualifications

You have completed a master's degree or finished courses amounting to at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits at the master's level, and at least 90 credits in a subject of central importance to disability and society, or otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge.

Furthermore, the applicant must have:

• Good ability to communicate in Swedish, both orally and in writing.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in education, special education, psychology, speech therapy, cognitive science, or another education deemed equivalent.
• A willingness to work interdisciplinary.

Particularly meritorious is:

• Documented experience in independently or collaboratively planning, executing, and/or evaluating interventions within the framework of research or professional practice.
• Documented knowledge of language and reading, acquired through academic studies, research projects, or professional practice.
• Documented research or professional experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Meritorious is:

• Documented experience in statistical analysis.
• Documented experience with disabilities within the framework of research or professional work.
• Documented experience related to school work.

The project is conducted in an interdisciplinary context and in close collaboration with several researchers and research environments. Therefore, a good ability to work independently is required, while the applicant must also be able to collaborate constructively in research groups with different disciplinary perspectives.

Furthermore, the ability to work analytically and in a structured manner, responsibility in planning and executing research tasks, and openness to methodological and theoretical diversity are required. Special emphasis is placed on the ability to reflect, flexibility, and perseverance in long-term research work.

The application should include a statement of purpose (max 2 pages) where the applicant describes their research interest, how this relates to the focus of the graduate school and the field of Disability and Society, as well as their motivations for pursuing doctoral education.

Your Workplace

The Department of Disability and Society (FUSA) conducts education and research on the causes and consequences of disabilities among various groups with disabilities. For more information about the doctoral education in Disability and Society, see here.

About the Employment

Upon taking up the position, you will be admitted to doctoral education. Read more about the respective faculty's doctoral education here.

The employment is time-limited to normally four years full-time. Extension of employment up to five years occurs based on the degree of teaching and departmental assignments. In special circumstances, further extension may occur. You will initially be employed for one year, and thereafter the employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan.

Start date by agreement, but no later than September 1, 2026.

Salary and Benefits

The PhD salary is regulated based on a locally agreed salary scale. Read more about employee benefits here.

Union Contact Persons

Information about union contact persons, see Help for applicants.

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must be received by Linköping University no later than February 24, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as this enriches and develops our operations. It is self-evident for us to uphold everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work with Equal Conditions.

Welcome with your application!

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