Vacant job

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest higher education institutions, with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. The university offers a wide variety of high-quality education and world-leading research across several scientific fields, including the groundbreaking discovery of the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering a dynamic and open culture.

The societal transformation and major green investments we see in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, this means conducting research on and within a society in transition. It also means delivering education for regions that need to expand quickly and sustainably. Simply put, this is where the future is created.

Are you interested in learning more? Read more about Umeå University as an employer.

About Us

The Department of Law at Umeå University is expanding and currently has just over 65 employees. The department is responsible for education within the Law Programme, several other degree programmes, and a large number of standalone courses. Thirteen PhD students are currently working on research and teaching at the Department of Law. More information about our activities can be found on our website: Department of Law.

Description

The serious security situation has not only led to the rapid rebuilding of the Swedish military defence but also to the civilian defence. A key part of rebuilding the civilian defence is ensuring supply preparedness. Securing the supply of various goods, services, and construction contracts in connection with crises, heightened alert, and war requires well-developed cooperation between public and private actors. At the same time, such cooperation must be designed to comply with, among other things, procurement legislation and EU state aid law.

The Department of Law is now seeking a PhD student who, within the framework of a project partially funded by the Swedish Competition Authority, wishes to shape a PhD project focused on the overarching theme of effective civilian preparedness from a broader competition perspective.

Doctoral education corresponds to four years of full-time study (240 higher education credits). Those employed as PhD students also participate in basic education activities or other departmental activities up to 20% of working time. In such cases, the PhD employment is extended accordingly to guarantee four years of full-time study within the doctoral education. For details on the content of doctoral education in legal science, see the general study plan.

You can read more about what it means to be a PhD student at Umeå University: Doctoral Education.

Admission Requirements and Assessment Criteria

Basic eligibility for admission to doctoral studies is held by those who have completed an advanced level degree, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at the advanced level. To meet the requirement for special eligibility for admission to doctoral education in legal science, the applicant must have completed a law degree (Juristexamen/Juris Kandidatexamen) or equivalent. The application can be supplemented with a degree certificate after the last application date. Special eligibility is also held by those who can claim other completed education or specific professional experience, if the education or experience is assessed to provide competence in the subject of doctoral studies equivalent to a law degree in terms of both subject knowledge and general legal education relevant to the same subject. Those who, before July 1, 2007, have a higher education qualification of 120 credits (equivalent to 180 higher education credits) and meet the special eligibility are also considered eligible for admission to doctoral studies.

Eligible applicants are assessed based on their ability to benefit from the doctoral education. The assessment of an applicant's ability to benefit from the doctoral education is based partly on their general competence based on educational background, the quality of independent work, and other relevant merits, and partly on the scientific quality of the research plan.

Application

You apply via the e-recruitment system Varbi, and the application must be received by 30 September 2026. Your application must consist of:

• a brief description of why you are interested in and suitable for the position,
• a research plan within the overarching theme of effective civilian preparedness from a broader competition perspective (further information on what a research plan should contain is available here),
• CV/resume,
• transcripts from higher education studies,
• thesis and any other publications you wish to claim.

Further information regarding PhD employment and the structure of the education can be obtained from the Head of Doctoral Education, Lena Enqvist, 090-7869979, [email protected]

Salary is set according to the established salary scale for PhD positions.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, Section 2), the decision on employment cannot be appealed.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Umeå University aims to offer an equal and inclusive environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lays 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 vendors of additional job advertisements.