Vacant job

Employment Information

Employment type: Fixed-term employment

Employment period/Start date: Desired start date is 2026-08-17

Scope: Full-time

Number of positions: 1

Application deadline: 2026-05-21

Location: Västerås

Faculty/Department: Faculty of Technology and Health Sciences (FTH), Department of Health Science, Innovation and Design (IHI)

Doctoral field of study: Physiotherapy

Admission to the doctoral programme is regulated by the university's admission regulations, which compile national and local rules governing access to postgraduate education at Mälardalen University. Read more about doctoral studies at MDU https://www.mdu.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning (https://www.mdu.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning).

The educational position is combined with a full-time employment as a doctoral student during the period of study, which corresponds to four years.

Job Description

The doctoral project, "Movement for Life – an individualized intervention for young cancer survivors," focuses on developing, testing, and evaluating an individualized intervention aimed at promoting physical activity and psychosocial health in children and young people who have survived cancer. The intervention is based on two evidence-based models (PREP and TEAM) and is developed in co-production with young cancer survivors, guardians, and therapists. The goal is to increase physical activity by strengthening children's physical, social, and psychological prerequisites, as well as reducing environmental barriers in their daily lives. The project is conducted in close collaboration with Astrid Lindgren's Children's Hospital and with international researchers in Canada and the USA.

As a doctoral student, you will map effective strategies to promote physical activity, participate in co-creation processes with children, relatives, and professionals, and develop and scientifically evaluate the feasibility and effect of the new intervention. The research project falls within the research area of Health and Welfare, with a special focus on children's participation and sustainable upbringing after cancer disease. Departmental duties may occur up to 20%, in the form of teaching. The doctoral education in health and welfare is conducted in English, meaning that all courses, seminars, and other activities are carried out in English. The doctoral student will also take courses relevant to the project.

Qualifications

To be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have basic eligibility and the special eligibility required by the subject, as well as be assessed as having the ability otherwise required to benefit from the education.

Basic Eligibility for postgraduate education (according to Higher Education Act 7th Chapter, § 39) is held by those who:

• have completed an advanced level degree,
• have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at an advanced level, or
• in some other way, within or outside the country, have acquired knowledge that is substantially equivalent.

Special Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to this doctoral position in the subject of physiotherapy, one must have completed a degree in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nursing, or have a degree in psychology or public health. Applicants must also have good knowledge of Swedish and English (spoken and written).

Selection Criteria

The selection among applicants with basic and special eligibility shall be made with regard to their ability to benefit from the education (Higher Education Act 7th Chapter, § 41).

In addition, selection among eligible applicants will be made according to the following assessment criteria: Good teamwork skills, initiative, and the ability to work in a structured and independent manner.

When assessing scientific ability, special weight will be placed on previous experience of scientific work and the ability to independently conduct projects. Physiotherapist/occupational therapist/doctor/nurse/psychologist with clinical experience, preferably with experience working with children and young people, as well as experience in teaching at the university level, is meritorious. Furthermore, knowledge in behavioral medicine, adapted physical activity, and co-production is meritorious.

In a comprehensive assessment of suitability, personal abilities are also given weight. All employees at MDU are expected to collaborate and treat colleagues and students with respect, take responsibility for the operations and their own tasks, and contribute to a good working environment.

We value the qualities that a balanced age and gender distribution, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity, bring.

Application

You submit your application by clicking the "Apply" button below.

As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and submitted to the university no later than the application deadline. The application must include the documents requested to prove eligibility and supporting material for merit assessment. A certificate of graduation and/or transcript of records must always be attached to the application, and the documents must be officially issued by the institution.

Submitted documents may be written in Swedish or English. Documents regarding merits (certificates, grades, and diplomas) in other languages must be translated by an authorized translator into Swedish or English. However, a copy of the original document (if in a language other than the above) must always be attached.

If the admitted candidate requires a residence permit to stay in Sweden and pursue their studies, and the studies require physical presence at Mälardalen University, the university reserves the right to revoke the admission decision if the admitted candidate cannot present a valid residence permit required for the studies on the start date of the studies.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Union Representatives:

Saco-S: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Susanne Meijer, ST-OFR/S, tel: 021-10 14 89

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