Vacant job

Umeå University aims to provide the next generation of research leaders with the best conditions for building groundbreaking research through the initiative Umeå University Northern Star Fellows. As part of a university-wide initiative, we offer 10 early-career researchers the opportunity to develop a long-term research activity over six years and qualify for promotion to Associate Professor. All calls within the initiative can be found at: https://www.umu.se/northern-star/northern-star-fellows/ (https://www.umu.se/northern-star/northern-star-fellows/)

Read more about Umeå University Northern Star Programme, a brand new excellence program to strengthen quality and international competitiveness in research. https://www.umu.se/northern-star/ (https://www.umu.se/northern-star/)

About the workplace

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Umeå University consists of 17 departments and units where we conduct research and education of high international quality, focusing on society's current and future challenges. The faculty's researchers contribute to knowledge development in areas such as democracy and peace, welfare, education, health, growth, environment and sustainability, gender, digitalization, and the societal impact of AI. Through strong research environments and interdisciplinary perspectives, the faculty develops a deeper understanding of social structures, societal changes, and conditions for a sustainable future. The employment offers the opportunity to develop an independent research profile in an environment where scientific quality, international relevance, and societal significance are at the center.

Subject orientation

Subject area relevant to the Faculty of Social Sciences. Departments and units are listed here: https://www.umu.se/samhallsvetenskaplig-fakultet/forskning/forskargrupper/ (https://www.umu.se/samhallsvetenskaplig-fakultet/forskning/forskargrupper/)

Main tasks

The purpose of the employment is to develop independence as a researcher and qualify both scientifically and pedagogically to meet the requirements for promotion to Associate Professor. The tasks include actively contributing to the continued development of the research environment within one's field of research, as well as applying for external research funding for one's research activities. Teaching at undergraduate and advanced levels and supervision of doctoral students are also included.

The employment is fixed-term for six years, full-time, and consists of at least 70 percent independent research and the remaining time for pedagogical or other qualifying activities.

The place of work is Umeå, and we expect a high level of presence and active participation in the department's activities.

Qualifications

Eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor is someone who has completed a doctoral degree or has equivalent scientific competence. Primarily, those who have completed a doctoral degree or reached equivalent competence no more than seven years before the time of application for the position of Assistant Professor should be considered.

However, those who have completed a doctoral degree or reached equivalent competence earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, or other similar circumstances, Chapter 4, Section 4a of the Higher Education Ordinance.

The doctoral degree or equivalent scientific competence must be completed within a subject area relevant to the faculty.

Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is a requirement for the employment.

Evaluation criteria and weighting

The evaluation criteria for the appointment of an Assistant Professor are the degree of skill required for eligibility for the position.

In the assessment of candidates, the degree of scientific skill shall be decisive. In addition, the degree of pedagogical and other skills shall be taken into account during the assessment.

In the assessment of scientific skill, particular weight shall be given to the ability to independently conduct and publish high-quality research within one's field of research, as well as contributions to the international scientific community. Particular weight shall also be given to experience in leading research and successfully obtaining research funding in competition with others. Great weight shall be given to the quality of publications where the applicant has been the main author.

In the assessment of pedagogical skill, particular weight shall be given to experience in teaching and supervision.

In the assessment of other skills, particular weight shall be given to international mobility, e.g., research visits, experience from a postdoctoral stay, or employment at another university than the one where the applicant defended their thesis. Great weight shall be given to established collaborations within and outside academia.

A general prerequisite for all teaching categories is both good teamwork skills, as well as the competence and suitability otherwise needed to perform the duties well.

Other information about the employment

The employment includes a resource package to build up an independent research group. This includes funding for one doctoral student and operational funds.

Applicants who do not speak Swedish at the time of employment are expected to learn basic Swedish within three years from the first day of employment.

Application

Please follow the instructions carefully. All application documents must consist of the following documents and be written in English:

• Cover letter
• Application form
• Copies of relevant degree certificates
• Copies of cited scientific works
• Copies of specifically cited pedagogical works

Qualification requirements and evaluation criteria can be found in the Employment Regulations for Teachers at Umeå University, which you can find here: https://www.umu.se/globalassets/fristaende-webbar/regelverk/personal-lika-villkor-och-arbetsmiljo/anstallningsordning-for-larare-vid-umea-universitet-fs-1.1--1022-25.pdf (https://www.umu.se/globalassets/fristaende-webbar/regelverk/personal-lika-villkor-och-arbetsmiljo/anstallningsordning-for-larare-vid-umea-universitet-fs-1.1--1022-25.pdf)

The Faculty of Social Sciences' guidelines for applying for and expert assessment of employment as an Assistant Professor can be found here: https://www.umu.se/globalassets/anvisning-vid-ansokan-om-och-sakkunnigbedomning-av-anstallning-som-bitr-universitetslektor-7-ar.pdf (https://www.umu.se/globalassets/anvisning-vid-ansokan-om-och-sakkunnigbedomning-av-anstallning-som-bitr-universitetslektor-7-ar.pdf)

The recruitment process may include interviews, trial lectures, and reference checks.

See the full announcement here: https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb/ (https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb/)

We look forward to receiving your application!