PhD Candidate in Education at the University of Gothenburg

The University of Gothenburg meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. 58,000 students and 6,800 employees make the university a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education attract researchers and students from all over the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future.

The Department of Education, Communication and Learning (IPKL) offers sought-after education and outstanding research within our fields of knowledge – education, communication, and learning. Various socially relevant issues arising from globalization, sustainability, and digitalization are our focus. Internationally, our research contributes to issues concerning the conditions of vulnerable children and youth, the mission and quality of preschool, migration and other societal changes, violence and racism in schools and leisure, and the consequences of digitalization for education and working life.

Job Responsibilities

Doctoral education consists of four years of full-time studies and leads to a doctoral degree. The doctoral student is expected to be part of one of the department's research environments. In collaboration with a supervisor, the doctoral student will formulate and carry out a dissertation part as well as a course part with mandatory and elective doctoral courses in accordance with both a general and an individual study plan. During the doctoral period, the dissertation work will be presented and discussed in seminar form with invited discussants on at least three occasions. As a doctoral student, you are also expected to participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, and collegiums both nationally and internationally.

Eligibility

Admission to doctoral education requires basic and, where applicable, the specific eligibility established in the general study plan for the doctoral subject.

Assessment Criteria

Selection among applicants who meet the requirements for basic and specific eligibility is based on the ability to benefit from doctoral education.

The selection is based on the following assessment criteria:

• Quality of the qualifying thesis (or equivalent document).
• Quality of the submitted research plan, related to this announcement's focus and to the department's research environments.

Admission is made in competition based on a comprehensive assessment of the applicants' submitted documents. The assessment of the applicant's ability to benefit from doctoral education will be guiding. Central to this assessment is the qualifying thesis (or equivalent document) and a clearly formulated research plan where the applicant presents their planned dissertation area within education. The research plan for the dissertation is assessed both in terms of its scientific relevance and how it relates to the research at the department, as well as whether it addresses motivated and researchable questions and specifies adequate forms for implementation. Follow-up interviews and work samples are offered to applicants with the most relevant research sketches.

If there is more than one author for the qualifying work, the applicant's individual contributions must be clarified.

Admission and Employment

After being admitted to doctoral education, you will receive a doctoral student position at the University of Gothenburg.

Regulations for employment as a doctoral student can be found in the ordinance SFS 1993:100.

The first employment as a doctoral student may last for a maximum of one year and may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years.

Employment form: Fixed-term employment, corresponding to 4 years of full-time studies from the start date.

Extent: 100%

Location: Department of Education, Communication and Learning (IPKL), University of Gothenburg

Start date: 2026-09-01 or by agreement

The university applies local agreements on salary setting for doctoral students.

The doctoral education at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning requires physical presence to carry out the studies. If the admitted person needs a residence permit to study in Sweden, the department has the right to revoke the admission decision if the admitted person cannot present a valid residence permit by the date of study start.

Contact Information for the PhD Position

Karin Lager, Vice Dean for Doctoral Education
+46 (0)31-786 2108
[email protected]

Nils Hammarén, Director of Studies for Doctoral Education
+46 (0)31-786 2094
[email protected]

Questions about the employment process can be directed to Desirée Engvall, Doctoral Education Coordinator
+46 (0)31-786 2410
[email protected]

Application

You apply for admission to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

You, as the applicant, are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the university no later than the last application date.

The application must be submitted no later than: 2026-03-01

The university actively works for a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the organization.

The university applies individual salary setting.

According to the National Archives' regulations, the university is obliged to store application documents for two years after the appointment decision. If you, as an applicant for a position, specifically request the return of your documents, they will be returned after the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be disposed of.

To staffing and recruitment companies and to you as a seller: The University of Gothenburg engages an approved advertising agency in connection with the recruitment of staff. We kindly but firmly decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of job advertisements.