Vacant job

Please note that this is a shortened version of the advertisement.

To see the full advertisement, please click on “Apply here” or visit here (https://www.uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb).

Would you like to research digital work environments in schools, together with competent and friendly colleagues in an international setting? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee engagement and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a position as a PhD student in the Graduate School of Learning-AI at Uppsala University.

You will be one of nine PhD students in the Graduate School of Learning-AI (The Work Environment of Teachers in an AI-Transformed School) funded by the Swedish Research Council. The focus of the graduate school is to investigate how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) affects teachers' work environment and professional role. When GenAI systems are used in planning, assessment, and decision-making, both teachers' tasks and how work is experienced change. At the same time, research shows that many teachers already have a pressured work situation with high workloads and increased administrative demands. Therefore, new knowledge is needed about how GenAI affects working conditions, responsibilities, and competence needs.

Responsibilities

As a PhD student in the Graduate School of Learning-AI, you will conduct research on the ethical dimensions of AI use in higher education, focusing on how university and college teachers handle value conflicts and professional assessments when AI-based systems are used in teaching, planning, and assessment. The work is based on the project Ethics in the Age of Algorithms: Teachers’ Handling of Value Conflicts in AI-Supported Teaching and aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how teachers in higher education reason about responsibility, norms, and professional values when AI's suggestions and recommendations conflict with educational goals, assessment principles, or academic values.

The PhD work includes literature studies as well as qualitative and quantitative empirical studies. The qualitative studies may consist of interviews, focus groups, or analysis of teaching and assessment practices in higher education, focusing on how teachers identify, interpret, and manage ethical dilemmas related to the use of AI in teaching and examination. The quantitative study aims to broaden the understanding of how such dilemmas are perceived and managed in different parts of higher education and will likely be conducted in collaboration with other PhD students in the graduate school.

The responsibilities also include analyzing how AI affects professional responsibility, decision-making, and legitimacy in the teaching role within higher education. The PhD student is expected to actively participate in the graduate school's joint activities, such as courses, seminars, workshops, and international summer schools, as well as contribute to the research environment through collaboration and joint discussions.

The position includes approximately 70 credits of courses within the doctoral education. There is also the possibility, by agreement, to dedicate up to 20% of the position to teaching or other departmental assignments. The work also involves communicating research results through scientific publications, conferences, and other relevant forums.

Qualifications

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who:

• have a degree at an advanced level in human-computer interaction, information systems, informatics, cognitive science, work science, technology and science studies, or another closely related relevant subject area that combines studies of technology and humans
• have completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits, or
• have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way.

The university may grant exceptions to the requirement for basic eligibility for an individual applicant if there are special reasons. (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Act). For specific eligibility, see here (https://www.uu.se/medarbetare/fakultet/teknisk-naturvetenskapliga/utbildning-och-undervisning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/amnen-och-studieplaner/amnen/datavetenskap-med-inriktning-mot-manniska-datorinteraktion).

In addition, the following is required:

• Excellent writing skills, with documented ability to formulate and structure academic texts.
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for planning and conducting a research project.
• High motivation and good work capacity, with the ability to work purposefully with complex analytical issues.
• Very good knowledge of Swedish, both spoken and written, as data collection and analysis take place in a Swedish-speaking context within higher education.
• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

Desirable/meritorious

• Experience in teaching.
• Experience with research methods, such as interviews, focus groups, or text analysis.
• Experience in analyzing ethical issues, norms, or value conflicts in educational, professional, or technology use contexts.

Regulations for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, Sections 1-7 and at here (https://regler.uu.se/?languageId=3).

About the position

The position is temporary, according to Chapter 5, Section 7 of the Higher Education Act. The extent is full-time. Start date May 1, 2026, or by agreement. Place of work: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Åsa Cajander, email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), phone: 0704-250786.

Welcome with your application by February 23, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/296.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/).

The position may be subject to security screening. A prerequisite for employment in the case of security screening is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Seko - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), ST (OFR/S) - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])