PhD Candidate in Subject Didactics

The Department of Subject Didactics belongs to the Faculty of Humanities at Stockholm University.

We conduct education and research in the didactics of the humanities and social sciences, as well as in mathematics didactics, science didactics, and language didactics.

In subject didactics, the content, conditions, processes, and outcomes of teaching, learning, and education are studied in relation to a specific area of knowledge. Subject didactics focusing on humanities subjects (such as school subjects like history, philosophy, and religious studies), as well as social science subjects (such as school subjects like geography, social studies, psychology, and business economics), includes research on how learning, teaching, and knowledge formation take shape. This research is conducted both within school and higher education teaching and in other formal and informal contexts where learning and teaching occur.

More information about us can be found at: Department of Subject Didactics (https://www.su.se/subject-didactics).

Project Description

Two PhD candidates will be admitted. We welcome applications within the department's research areas in subject didactics focusing on the humanities and social sciences as mentioned above, but particularly encourage applications focusing on the younger school years (F-6). For more information, please contact the subject responsible for the didactics of humanities and social sciences: Professor Jenny Berglund, [email protected].

The dissertation work will be conducted within the framework of this project.

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.

Basic eligibility is met by those who have obtained a degree at the advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or in other ways acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility is described in the general study plan for doctoral education in the subject of subject didactics focusing on the didactics of the humanities and social sciences. Specific eligibility to be admitted to doctoral education in subject didactics with a focus on the humanities and social sciences is met by those who have completed course requirements at the advanced level of at least 30 higher education credits in the subject area that the education concerns. In addition, at least 30 higher education credits at the advanced level in subject didactics or a similar relevant main area are required, of which at least 15 hp consist of a thesis or the applicant has a teaching degree with a relevant focus, including a thesis at the advanced level. For specific eligibility, it is also required that the applicant masters Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English.

Selection

The basis for selection among applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for doctoral education in subject didactics is the degree of ability to benefit from such education. The following faculty-wide assessment criteria are applied in the selection:

• Previous education in general. Assessment is made with regard to both depth and breadth in previous education.
• Previous scientific production. Based on theses from undergraduate and advanced levels and, where applicable, other written scientific production, the applicant's ability to benefit from the education is assessed. The assessment also takes into account the time aspect; that is, to what extent the applicant has demonstrated the ability to perform their previous scientific tasks within given time frames. Furthermore, based on a comparison of the scientific works, an assessment of the applicant's scientific development is made. The scientific production is assessed with regard to critical ability, analytical ability, independence, and creativity.
• Submitted research plan. In connection with the application, the applicant should briefly describe their intended research area in the form of a research plan of no more than five pages. The description should include problem formulation(s) and a sketch of the implementation of the research work. See this instruction for what the research plan should contain. The plan is assessed with regard to relevance, originality, feasibility within the given time frame (i.e., during a period corresponding to four years of full-time education). In the event of an interview, the applicant is expected to be able to describe and develop their application.
• Available supervision competence.
• Ability to collaborate. The applicant's ability to collaborate is assessed based on, for example, references, certificates, or interviews.
• Ability to benefit from doctoral education. Work samples are performed in connection with interviews to demonstrate abilities relevant to doctoral education.

Local admission regulations for doctoral education at the Department of Subject Didactics.

Admission regulations for doctoral education at Stockholm University.

About the Position

Start date: September 1, 2026. We offer a fixed-term position as a PhD candidate according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The duration of employment may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a PhD candidate, you will primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the position may include work with education, research, and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new appointment as a PhD candidate is valid for a maximum of one year, and the appointment is renewed thereafter for a maximum of two years at a time.

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

Contact

Further information is provided by the head of department, Anna Chryssafis, phone 08-12 07 67 87, [email protected], or the director of studies for doctoral education, Johan Sandahl, phone 08-16 15 48, [email protected].

Application

You apply for the PhD position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the documents requested in the application form. You as the applicant 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 webpage: applying for a position (https://www.su.se/apply-for-a-position).

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