Vacant job

Do you want to work in a successful, transdisciplinary research group with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee relations and offers secure, advantageous working conditions? We welcome your application for a doctoral position at Uppsala University.

The position is located in the research group CIRCLE – Intervention Research in Health and Care. CIRCLE hosts the transdisciplinary, strategic research programme U-CARE (http://www.ucare.uu.se (http://www.ucare.uu.se)). The overarching aims of U-CARE are to: improve mental well-being among those affected by ill health by developing and implementing evidence-based, individualised, and cost-effective behavioural interventions for health care; and to improve the efficiency, benefit, and value of clinical studies. Citizen participation is a central part of all research within U-CARE. All research within U-CARE is conducted within national and international collaborations, and our competence in research methodology has been recognised in the most recent evaluations of research at Uppsala University.

Sleep is crucial for good health, well-being, and the ability to participate in daily life. Sleep problems are common and affect people with dementia and their relatives.

The overarching aim of the research project SOVA is to adapt and test the intervention DREAMS-START (Dementia RElAted Manual for Sleep; STrAtegies for RelaTives) for Swedish conditions with the aim of reducing sleep problems in people with dementia and their relatives. The intervention, developed in the UK, has proven to be acceptable, clinically effective, and cost-effective.

Responsibilities

The person we are looking for will work on the SOVA research project. The role involves adapting and testing DREAMS-START for Swedish conditions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, recruiting and maintaining contact with study participants, collecting data through interviews and questionnaires, analysing and reporting data, and compiling scientific literature. The position also involves working with patient and citizen participation, which is a central part of the project. Responsibilities also include disseminating research results via scientific publications and other channels, as well as actively attending the research group's seminars and meetings.

Other duties regarding teaching and administration at the Department of Women's and Children's Health may be added (max. 20%). The employment will be extended by the corresponding time if this occurs.

Qualifications

The person we are looking for must:

• Hold a master's degree (advanced level) in occupational therapy, social work, psychology, nursing science, or a related discipline.
• Be eligible for doctoral studies and have completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits, or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
• Speak and write Swedish fluently.
• Have excellent proficiency in speaking and writing English.
• Demonstrate strong initiative and problem-solving skills, ability to deliver according to agreed goals and timelines, prioritise tasks, and work meticulously.
• Have excellent ability to work professionally both independently and in a group within a collaborative environment, and to communicate with colleagues from different disciplines and professions.
• Have a strong interest in transdisciplinary research and motivation to be an active member of a successful research group.
• Have good knowledge of and previous experience working with qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as software such as NVivo, R, SPSS, Stata, and MS Office.

Desirable / Additional Merits

The following are considered advantageous:

• Experience in collecting and analysing data, as well as writing successful grant applications to funders and approved applications to the Swedish Ethical Review Authority.
• Experience in writing scientific publications.
• Interest in continuously contributing to the development of the research group's activities.
• Interest in continuously contributing to the research group's good working environment.
• Knowledge of and experience in working with patient and citizen participation in research.

Application

The application should be written in Swedish and include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Link to thesis
• Copies of degree certificates
• Complete publication list including URL/DOI for each of your publications
• Contact information for at least two reference persons, at least one of whom should be a current or former supervisor

About the Position

The position is fixed-term, according to HF Chapter 5, Section 7. The position is full-time. Start date: 2026-10-15 or by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact:
Main supervisor, Associate Professor, Docent Sophie Nadia Gaber, [email protected]
Research group leader, Professor Louise von Essen, [email protected]
Deputy research group leader, Joanne Woodford, [email protected]

Please submit your application by August 7, 2026, Ref: UFV-PA 2026/1971

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and engagement, make Uppsala University one of the most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University: https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The position may be subject to a security check. If a security check is required, approval is a prerequisite for employment.

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received via Uppsala University's recruitment system.

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Saco-S: [email protected]
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