Vacant job

The Department of Science, Design and Sustainable Development (NDH) operates at Campus Östersund and Campus Sundsvall, where we educate and conduct research within the department's subjects with a focus on sustainable development. At NDH, all of Mid Sweden University's artistic subjects are gathered: Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and Photography. NDH works to establish a research environment and a research subject within design (NDH Design).

Responsibilities

NDH Design is now seeking a postdoctoral researcher who will primarily work within the research project "Design with Participation – Older Adults as Requirement Setters for More Person- and User-Centred Assistive Devices". The project aims to investigate, in a Swedish context, how assistive devices can be made more person- and user-centred based on the lived experiences, needs, requirements, and expectations of older people with mobility and functional impairments. The focus is on investigating the conditions for more person- and user-centred assistive device provision, where older adults are not merely recipients but active requirement setters.

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the project group and participate in data collection and analysis. The tasks will involve conducting research activities such as interviews and workshops, analysing collected material, and participating in the publication of results. Teaching and supervision, up to 20 %, may be included, primarily in basic-level design courses taught in Swedish.

Active participation in the research environment and regular presence on campus are expected as part of the employment.

The postdoctoral researcher will also work on producing trigger materials and similar resources in connection with the workshops. Therefore, the candidate we are looking for must have a design background and be able to handle relevant software for the field of design.

Qualifications

The person appointed as a postdoctoral researcher must be qualified according to the requirements described in Mid Sweden University's regulations for appointments.

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD in design or a related field relevant to the responsibilities, preferably with a specialization in design and interaction linked to assistive technology and assistive device usage or similar fields.

Selection Criteria

The candidate we are looking for has a design background and can handle relevant software for the field of design. The position requires experience of working in research projects as well as administrative competence, very good ability to express oneself in Swedish and English, both orally and in writing, and good skills in communication and collaboration.

Experience of collaboration in research and supervision at the university level is a requirement. Competence in issues concerning accessibility, participation, and universal design linked to technology and design are important attributes to be able to make a significant contribution to the continued development of the subject of design at the research level at Mid Sweden University.

Competence in social sustainable development, norms, norm critique, and norm creativity is also an important part of the continued research development, as well as experience in method development within co-design and participatory methods.

Personal Attributes

In addition to the relevant teaching and subject knowledge required, great emphasis is placed on independence, initiative, social competence, and a good ability to plan and structure your work.

Other Selection Criteria

Data collection is conducted in Swedish, which is why you need to master Swedish fluently in both speech and writing. Some courses are given to international students, and therefore good skills in English are also required, both in writing and orally.

Good knowledge of and grounding in the disability field is a requirement. Personal experience of using assistive devices is meritorious.

Processing

The appointment is processed in accordance with Mid Sweden University's regulations for appointments.

Employment and Commencement

The employment is for 100 % for 2 years from 2026-09-01 or as agreed.

The terms of employment are regulated by an agreement for a fixed-term appointment as a postdoctoral researcher.

Place of Work: Sundsvall

Information

For further information, please contact Proprefect Kristina Brink, [email protected] or Professor Per-Olof Hedvall, [email protected]

Application

Application documents should be in Swedish or English.

The application should include: a curriculum vitae, certified copies of degree certificates and certificates from previous education, as well as other documents to be cited. References must be provided.

We welcome your application via our recruitment system no later than 2026-08-10.

Mid Sweden University, with campuses in both Sundsvall and Östersund, is a higher education institution close to students, colleagues, and the surrounding society. At the same time, we are located next to the sea, forest, and mountains, which creates conditions for an excellent quality of life. New knowledge is created here through internationally successful research and education that contribute to societal development. In this way, we contribute to a sustainable future and a better world.

As an employee at Mid Sweden University, you should be able to combine work with leisure and have a good balance in life. We offer, among other things, flexible working hours, support for health activities, salary top-up during parental leave and sickness. You also get generous holiday days.

Mid Sweden University works actively for equal opportunities and strives to take advantage of the qualities that diversity and gender equality bring to the operations. Salary is set in accordance with the central collective agreements RALS/RALS-T. Your personal data is processed and stored in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation. We are happy to receive questions from you who are interested in working with us but decline those who sell advertisements and recruitment services.