PhD Candidate in Social Anthropology

At the Department of Social Anthropology, teaching and research are characterized by a global and comparative perspective in the study of the social and cultural variation that shapes today's world.

The department's research geographically spans almost all continents and is based on a rich international research tradition that is constantly being renewed. The department employs a total of 25 full-time staff.

More information about us can be found at: Department of Social Anthropology (https://www.su.se/enheter/socialantropologiska-institutionen)

Research Education Subject

The doctoral candidate's dissertation work will be conducted within the framework of the subject of social anthropology. The education provides the advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge within the subject area needed to conduct critical and independent research. The education is divided into a course component (60 credits) and a dissertation component (180 credits).

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have basic and specific eligibility. The eligibility must be fulfilled by the last application date.

You have basic eligibility if you have completed a degree at the advanced level, or have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or in another way acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

To obtain specific eligibility for access to doctoral education in social anthropology, the applicant must have at least 120 hp in social anthropology or equivalent, of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level. At least 15 of the higher education credits at the advanced level must consist of thesis/project work.

The teaching in the doctoral education in social anthropology is conducted in English. The doctoral candidate must master the English language orally and in writing to be able to benefit from the teaching and course literature without difficulty.

Selection

Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to benefit from doctoral education. Criteria used to assess this ability include:

• independence in analysis and layout in previous work
• problem formulation and stringency in previous work and research plan
• previously demonstrated ability to meet given deadlines
• methodological and scientific maturity
• ability to critically engage with the material
• ability to structure the material using anthropological concepts and analytical methods
• ability to conduct analysis in an original and scientific manner (emphasizing that originality should lie in the analysis, not in the material)
• ability to ethnographic method and reflection
• communication and collaboration skills.

More information can be found at: Admission Regulations for Doctoral Education (https://medarbetare.su.se/vart-su/styrning/regelboken/utbildning/antagningsordning-for-utbildning-pa-forskarniva)

About the Position

Start date: September 1, 2026.

We offer a fixed-term position as a doctoral candidate according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral candidate, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education, but the position may include work with teaching, research, and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new position as a doctoral candidate is valid for a maximum of one year, after which the employment is renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Doctoral candidates employed at the department are expected to be in Stockholm during the term.

The starting salary is currently 31,600 SEK per month.

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

Contact

Further information can be provided by the Director of Doctoral Education, Mark Graham, phone 08-162144, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), or Head of Department Renita Thedvall, phone 070-283 54 62, renita@[email protected] (mailto:renita@[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the requested documents in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the last application date.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: How to Apply for a Position (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.