PhD Student in Educational Work with a Focus on Sports Science

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences announces a position within the doctoral education leading to a PhD in Educational Work at the Department of Educational Studies. The project will have a focus on sports science. The doctoral education in Educational Work at Karlstad University is one of the university's largest, with about forty active doctoral students. The subject of sports science is interdisciplinary and addresses issues of physical activity and sports from various scientific perspectives. The doctoral student will also be linked to the National Research Center for Children's and Youth Sports (NFBU). As a doctoral student, you will be part of a dynamic research environment with strong expertise in educational work and sports science.

The current PhD position is linked to the project “EASY” (Exploring Alternative movements my StYle), which investigates how alternative movement activities can contribute to increased physical activity and well-being among inactive children through an intervention. The project has clear societal relevance and is conducted in close collaboration with schools and leisure actors. For more information about the project, see the link: EASY - Exploring Alternative movements my StYle (https://kau.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:905516/). The research plan should be formulated in relation to the current project and will form the basis for assessing your suitability for doctoral studies.

Responsibilities

As a doctoral student, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education. The doctoral education, which consists of 240 higher education credits (hp) for the PhD, is an opportunity for paid studies combined with work and a chance to start an academic career.

As a doctoral student, you will work independently and be prepared to contribute in various ways to the subject's and department's work and development. Your main responsibilities will include:

• Driving the planning and implementation of the intervention study EASY, aimed at physically inactive children and their parents.
• Responsible for recruiting study participants.
• Collaborating closely with various actors and partners, such as schools, the municipality, and non-profit organizations in the implementation of the intervention.
• Conducting data collection using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Analyzing data with the support of the project and supervisory group.

The role in the intervention project means that you will need to be present at various locations in Karlstad municipality to coordinate and drive the implementation of the intervention and conduct data collections associated with the evaluation of the intervention.

Eligibility and Admission

To be admitted to the doctoral education, you must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 35). General eligibility is granted to those who have obtained a degree at the advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 hp, of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or who have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39).

Specific eligibility for admission to the doctoral education in Educational Work is granted to those who have obtained a teacher's degree or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Conditions

Upon admission to doctoral education, a position as a doctoral student will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5 § 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies. By agreement, teaching and administration may occur, known as departmental duties, corresponding to a maximum of 20% of full working hours. The position is temporary for the first year and can then be extended for a maximum of two years at a time.

Start date: September 1, 2026

The salary for the doctoral student position follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

Reference no. REK2026/55

Welcome with your application!

Karlstad University has made a medieval decision for this recruitment, and we therefore decline contacts with advertisement sellers and recruitment service sellers.

HR Excellence in Research
Karlstad University received the HR Excellence in Research award in September 2020. The award is given to employers who provide a stimulating work environment and good conditions for researchers and continuously work to develop these. The award demonstrates the institution's commitment to fair and transparent recruitment as well as favorable professional development for researchers. Read more at HR Excellence in Research (https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss/karlstads-universitet-som-arbetsgivare/human-resources-strategi-forskare-hrs4r).