PhD Candidate in Child and Youth Studies

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

The Department of Education, Communication and Learning (IPKL) offers sought-after education and prominent research in 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 regarding 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 work life.

Job Description

Doctoral education comprises four years of full-time study and leads to a PhD 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 according to both a general and an individual study plan. During the doctoral period, the dissertation work will be presented and discussed in a seminar format with invited discussants at least three times. As a doctoral student, you are also expected to participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, and collegiums both nationally and internationally.

The department conducts extensive research on children and youth within the framework of research themes. This means that the doctoral student participates in local seminars and research activities and will also contribute to the national and international collaborations that the department's researchers are involved in. In the research plan attached to the application, the applicant should demonstrate how the planned dissertation work connects to ongoing research at the department.

Eligibility

To be admitted to doctoral education, basic and, if applicable, the specific eligibility established in the general study plan for the doctoral subject is required.

Assessment Criteria

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

• 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 competitive based on a comprehensive assessment of the submitted documents. The assessment of the applicant's ability to benefit from the doctoral education will be guiding. Central to this assessment is the qualifying thesis (or equivalent document) as well as a clearly formulated research plan where the applicant presents their planned dissertation area within child and youth studies. The research plan for the dissertation is assessed based on its scientific relevance, how it relates to the research at the department, and whether it addresses motivated and researchable questions and indicates adequate forms for implementation. If there is more than one author for the qualifying work, the applicant's individual contributions should be clarified. Follow-up with interviews and work samples will be offered to applicants with the most relevant research sketches.

Admission and Employment

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

Employment type: Fixed-term employment, corresponding to 4 years of full-time study from the start date

Extent: 100%

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

Start date: 2026-09-01 or by agreement

The university applies a local agreement on salary setting for doctoral students.

The doctoral education at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning requires physical presence to conduct 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 start date.

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]

Trade Unions

Union representatives at Gothenburg University can be found here: Union Representatives (https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande)

Application

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

As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the application deadline.

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: Gothenburg University engages an approved advertising agency in connection with the recruitment of staff. We kindly but firmly request no direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies or sellers of job advertisements.