Assistant Professor in Sociology with a Specialization in Criminology and Conflict Resolution

The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.

This position is part of the University of Gothenburg's recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.

The Department of Sociology and Work Science is home to one of Sweden's leading research groups in criminology. In conflict resolution, researchers and practioners work together in a well-integrated environment focused on empirical studies of crime and conflict.

The Department has approximately 110 employees and conducts internationally regocnized in areas such as social inequality, work, organizations, welfare, and education in close collaboration with the wider community.

For more information, please visit the department's website.

Subject area

Assistant Professor in Sociology with a Specialization in Criminology and Conflict Resolution

Subject area description

The field encompasses sociological research on crime, social control, conflict, conflict management, conflict resolution, and related processes that contribute to the understanding of contemporary societies. The position is intended to strengthen the department's research and teaching within these areas and to contribute to the development of internationally competitive research environments.

Duties

The Assistant Professor is expected to conduct research of the highest international standard within criminology, conflict resolution, or closely related areas of sociological research. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop an independent research profile with the potential to attain international recognition and leadership in the field.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• develop and lead an independent research agenda
• publish in leading international academic journals and other scholarly outlets
• actively pursue external research funding
• establish and develop national and international research collaborations
• contribute to the department's research environment
• teach at first-cycle (undergraduate), second-cycle (Master's) and doctoral levels
• contribute to research-based development and academic advancement of the department's educational in conflict resolution

Particular emphasis will be placed on the candidate's ability to strengthen the scientific foundation of the department's activities in conflict resolution by integrating current research with education and knowledge development in the field.

An appointment as an Assistant Professor includes research duties amounting to at least 50% of the total working time.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in subject or has the corresponding research competence. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant Professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates.

The ability to teach in English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area of the position.

Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise, secondly on teaching expertise, and thirdly on collaborative and administrative competence.

Research expertise

Research expertise is demonstrated through scholarly publications and current participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is placed on high-quality publications with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The quality, originality, and impact of publications are given greater emphasis than the total number of publications. The ability to obtain external research funding in competition is highly meritorious.

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and/or doctoral level within the subject area of the position. When assessing teaching expertise, special emphasis is placed on documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality.

Collaboration with the community at large and Administrative Competence

Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public.

Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, such as coordinating research or educational activities, as well as contributing to the development of the department or faculty.

Overall Assessment

A position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position targeting researchers and teachers who defended their doctoral thesis relatively recently. The position will be offered to the candidate who is assessed to have the best prospects for carrying out the duties required in the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of activities based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.

Extensive experience in academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for five years
Extent: Full-time (100%)
Location:Gothenburg, Sweden
Starting date: By agreement

An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer.

The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor is entitled to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in the same subject area as the Assistant Professorship, provided that the individual is qualified for such an appointment and is deemed suitable following an assessment based on the established criteria for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

To assess whether a candidate is sufficiently qualified for promotion, an evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the assessment criteria for appointment as Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) at the University of Gothenburg, as set out in the Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Teaching Staff at the Faculty of Social Sciences (GU 2025/1103). The following additional requirements shall also apply when assessing eligibility for promotion:

The applicant must have demonstrated a high level of research excellence through:

• publication of high-quality research in leading international peer-reviewed journals. In addition, publication of high-quality research in peer-reviewed books or book chapters will be considered a merit.
• success in obtaining external research funding in national and/or international competition.
• contributions to the scholarly community, for example through service as a peer reviewer, external examiner of doctoral theses, or member of an examining committee for doctoral dissertations.
• demonstrated progression in research qualifications during the period of employment as Assistant Professor, for example through achieving the qualifications required for appointment as Docent (Associate Professor).

The applicant must have demonstrated teaching excellence through:

• teaching experience equivalent to at least 1,600 hours.
• experience in course development and in a variety of teaching and learning formats.
• completion of accredited training in teaching and learning in higher education (PIL101-PIL103 or equivalent qualifications validated by decision of the Dean), as well as doctoral supervision training (PIL201 or equivalent qualifications validated by decision of the Dean).
• demonstrated progression in teaching competence during the period of employment as Assistant Professor, for example through experience of teaching at different educational levels, across different subject areas, or through further development and specialization within previous areas of teaching.

The applicant must have demonstrated engagement, collaboration, and leadership through:

• organising and participating in outward-facing scholarly activities, such as workshops, panels, or conferences.
• organising and participating in outreach and engagement activities in collaboration with stakeholders outside academia, such as conferences involving policymakers, practitioners, or civil society organisations, or other activities directed towards the wider public.
• demonstrating the ability to lead and coordinate research projects, educational activities, or other forms of academic work.
• contributing to the collegial governance and development of the department, for example through active participation in the department's seminar series, evaluation committees, working groups, or similar bodies.

The applicant must demonstrate personal suitability through:

• sound judgement in professional matters, the ability to carry out the duties associated with the position, and the ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to the development of the department and its activities.

The applicant must meet the following language requirement:

• proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of CEFR level B2. This must be demonstrated either through a passed language test in accordance with the requirements specified here (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Language Skills) or through certification from the Head of Department stating that such a language test is clearly unnecessary.

Moving to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents

Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg

Other information

The position of Assistant Professor is a career-development appointment and constitutes a step in an academic career path designed to enable researchers to develop their independence and establish their own research profile, with the right to be promoted to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.

To support a healthy work-life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: Employment benefits| University of Gothenburg.

If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you will be offered language courses as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

Selection process

Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment.

As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.

Interviews are planned to take place during week 51-52 (December 16 to December 23, 2026).

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact head of department, Kristian Daneback, kristian.daneback@gu.se

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact human resource officer Anna Karin Wiberg, ph +46 31 786 3156, anna-karin.wiberg@gu.se

Unions

Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.

Application

You apply for the position through the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their application is complete in accordance with the advertisment and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline.

Please submit your application in English, as it will be reviewed by external reviewers whose working language is English.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a complete list of publications and an account of externally funded research grants obtained (including amounts awarded).
• Research Plan. The plan must clearly relate to the research area of the position and be formulated so that it could form the basis of at least one competitive external research funding application (maximum 3 pages).
• A statement of your scientific qualifications, including:
  • a) A list of your five most significant scientific publications. For publications co-authored with others, specify your role and the extent of your contribution. Co-author statements must be enclosed and should describe each author's contribution (both quantitative and substantive) and be signed by all co-authors. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published, documentation confirming acceptance for publication must be provided.
  • b) A concise account of your scientific merits, research profile, and research plans for the coming years (maximum 2 pages).
• Complete electronic copies of up to five of your most significant scientific publications.
• A statement of your pedagogical qualifications, including:
  • a) A list of the courses and educational programmes you have developed and taught, including courses and programmes at the undergraduate, master's/advanced, and doctoral levels.
  • b) A concise account of your teaching merits and pedagogical qualifications, addressing both the scope and quality of your teaching experience, including a reflective statement on your teaching practice (maximum 2 pages).
  • c) Certificates documenting completed higher education teaching and learning training.
  • d) Documentation of your teaching experience issued by a Head of Department, Director of Studies, or equivalent representative at at least one university or academic department.
• Electronic copies of teaching materials, such as course syllabi, reading lists, examination assignments, lecture slides, and student instructions (maximum three supporting documents). These materials should be referenced in your statement of teaching merits and pedagogical qualifications (Section 5b).
• Doctoral degree diploma.

Any additional certificates or documents that you wish to submit in support of your application.

Publications that cannot be submitted electronically must be sent in two identical hard copies to:

University of Gothenburg
Department of Sociology and Work Science
Attn: Anna-Karin Wiberg
Box 720
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Sweden

Please state reference number PAR 2026/537.

The application must be received no later than 30 October 2026.

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.