Vacant job

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the largest faculties at Umeå University, attracting many students with a comprehensive range of programs in medicine, dentistry, health, and care. We offer a well-developed research infrastructure and an inspiring, dynamic environment with leading research. Our close collaboration with the four regions in the Northern Health Care Region is seen as a great mutual asset for developing research and education and securing the supply of our future healthcare personnel.

Focus

The PhD position with a focus on public health science will be located at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, which is an international and interdisciplinary research and educational environment within the Faculty of Medicine. The position has been made possible through collaboration between the Corporate Doctoral School at Umeå University, the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Umeå University, and Västerbotten County Council.

Supported by an interdisciplinary supervisory group, the doctoral student will contribute to increased knowledge about the decreasing prevalence of overweight and obesity that we have identified among children in Västerbotten – which groups are affected, why this development is occurring, and how the results can guide future interventions. The doctoral project is part of a research project funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (Forte).

The employment aims at a doctoral degree and is fixed-term for a maximum of four years on a full-time basis.

Responsibilities

As a doctoral student, you are a research student and are entitled to supervision leading to increasingly independent work. Your doctoral education will consist of course modules and independent research work under supervision, which, according to the project description and an established individual study plan, should result in a doctoral thesis.

The project will be carried out within the Salut initiative, a health-promoting intervention for expectant parents, children, and young people within Västerbotten County Council. The doctoral project has support from several units within the County Council: the Child and Youth Centre, the Public Health Unit at the Executive Staff, the County Assignment for Primary Care, and the Occupational and Behavioral Medicine Centre. This enables interaction with clinicians and the translation of research results into practice.

As a doctoral student, with the support of supervisors, you will:

• Establish an individual study plan based on the project's purpose, goals, and methods.
• Collaborate with stakeholders within Västerbotten County Council.
• Complete relevant doctoral education courses within the framework of doctoral schools.
• Conduct fieldwork within Västerbotten County Council, and possibly also municipalities in Västerbotten, to collect data through workshops, interviews, and focus group discussions.
• Analyze data using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Participate in workshops and seminars.
• Present results at national forums and at an international conference.
• Write scientific articles and a thesis.

Qualifications

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have both basic eligibility and special eligibility, as well as be assessed as having the ability otherwise required to complete the education.

Basic Eligibility

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is held by those who have completed an advanced level degree, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or who in some other order within or outside the country have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge (Higher Education Act 7th Chapter 39 §).

Special Eligibility

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have necessary knowledge from higher education or equivalent education and/or professional experience that is assessed in relation to the field of doctoral education. Good written and oral language skills in Swedish and English are necessary. Therefore, both Swedish and English will be used during the employment interview.

Meritorious experience and competencies:

We are looking for an engaged doctoral student with high motivation for doctoral studies and who has the ability to be receptive and collaborative as well as work independently. The work requires that you are analytical, responsible, and flexible, and that you have good teamwork skills, are driven, and can follow a set schedule in the work towards the doctoral degree.

It is essential that you have substantial experience in clinical work with children and young people within Västerbotten County Council or other regions. You should have knowledge of the organization within Västerbotten County Council, and feel confident in contacting and conversing with people from other clinical units and professions.

Application

The application should be submitted via Umeå University's recruitment system (Varbi) and must include:

• A cover letter describing your background, summarizing your scientific interest, and motivating why you are applying for the position in relation to the current research project, max 1500 words.
• CV/merit list.
• Authenticated copies of degree certificates, grades, and certificates.
• Copies of master's thesis and any other publications.
• Contact information for at least two reference persons.
• Other merits relevant to the position.
• The application must be written in English.

The application must be made through our e-recruitment system Varbi and received no later than 2026-06-04.

Conditions

Doctoral education corresponds to four years of full-time studies (240 hp), starting 2026-08-15 or as agreed.

Salary is offered in accordance with the current collective agreement for doctoral students. Trade union information can be obtained from ST, Saco, or SEKO.

Note that the workplace is in Umeå and remote work is not possible.

Umeå University aims to offer a gender-equal and inclusive environment where open conversations between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current position.

To staffing and recruitment agencies and to you who are sales representatives: We kindly but firmly decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of additional job advertisements.