Doctoral position in practical philosophy, with a focus on economic ethics and/or environmental ethi

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics, and Theory of Science (FLoV) within the Faculty of Humanities, we have around 120 employees and a teaching volume that includes around 350 full-year students. We are engaged in numerous large international and interdisciplinary research projects in areas such as theoretical and practical philosophy, logic, linguistics, computational linguistics, language technology, and theory of science. Our research has many applications and collaborations with other scientific fields. We educate philosophers, logicians, linguists, language technologists, theorists of science, historians of philosophy, and teachers of philosophy. The department also conducts doctoral education and development work within its various academic domains. If you are interested in working in an international, dynamic and collaborative environment, FLoV offers an inspiring setting for research and education. Read more about us here. Our department offers postgraduate education in six subjects. Our research environment is international, with several recognised research projects and our staff representing over twenty countries. Read more here.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.

https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Project description

We are now looking for a doctoral student to join the department's Financial Ethics Research Group. The research group consists of philosophers and economists dedicated to ethical and political issues raised by money and finance (in the broadest sense). The group's previous projects have been on topics such as sustainable business, ethical investment, banking for the poor, digital currencies, climate metrics, and the value of biodiversity. More specifically, the doctoral student will be connected to the research program Sustainable Finance Lab, which is a collaboration between several Swedish universities that is funded by Vinnova, Sweden's innovation agency. The program explores various aspects of how to make markets and money into a positive force for sustainable development.

The doctoral student is expected to do research in economic ethics and/or environmental ethics. Economic ethics is the application of moral or political philosophy to critical issues in business organizations or the economic system. Environmental ethics is the application of moral or political philosophy to critical issues in the relationship between humans and non-human environmental systems. The research area should be understood broadly so as to include subtopics like business ethics, the political philosophy of markets, ethics of commodification, ethics of climate change or biodiversity, collective action problems, and the philosophy of (environmental) economics. Any applications related to these subfields are welcome.

The applicant must describe a more specific research question within this area that they intend to explore. Some examples of potential research questions are:

• What moral duties do commercial firms or banks have to mitigate climate change?
• Do consumers have a duty to buy sustainable goods, or invest in sustainable firms?
• How should societal institutions (such as central banks or the monetary system) be set up to promote biodiversity?
• Is the state justified in coercing market participants to mitigate climate change?
• What is the relationship between sustainability and human rights?
• Are current conceptualizations of sustainability in terms of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria adequate?

Duties

Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study. The candidate's main responsibilities will be to write a doctoral dissertation in the area outlined above, and to complete obligatory course work. The doctoral student may also undertake a limited amount of teaching, administration or research not directly connected to her or his dissertation topic (but not more than 20%). Such duties extend the position accordingly.

The candidate is expected to carry out the work in Gothenburg and to participate on a regular basis in the department's activities, especially the seminars in practical philosophy. And expected to take an active part in the activities of the Financial Ethics Research Group, including meetings, seminars and conferences. The working language within the group is English. There will be funds available for travel and shorter visits to other universities.

Eligibility

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

The specific entry requirements for practical philosophy are:

1. 30 higher education credits in practical philosophy as a second-cycle subject, at least 15 of which must be from a degree project, or equivalent knowledge, and
2. the level of English and/or Swedish skills needed to benefit from compulsory courses and to be able to actively participate in seminars and similar activities.

For further information about the general and specific requirements please refer to the general study syllabus you will find through the following webpage.

Assessment criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on their estimated ability to complete the study program with a successful result. We will base this assessment primarily on two criteria:

1. The candidate's research proficiency as it is demonstrated in submitted theses, publications and other documents. Submitted theses and publications will be assessed on aspects such as: suitable knowledge of relevant literature, suitable formulation of research questions, academic rigor in arguments and reasoning, as well as independence and originality of thought.
2. How well the project plan fits with the research focus and ambitions of the Financial Ethics Research Group and the Sustainable Finance Lab. The candidate is encouraged to explain how the proposed research connects to ongoing projects and competencies, and/or how it can broaden them with new perspectives. The project plan will be assessed on aspects such as: suitable knowledge of relevant literature, fruitfulness of the research question, feasibility as a doctoral project, as well as potential to contribute to the research front.

The selection process will also include an interview. Selection, interviews, and assessments are conducted by a recruitment group at the department, after which the Head of Department makes the final decision. More information regarding the University's recruitment process you will find here.

Admission and employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. The provisions for employment as a doctoral candidate can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment may apply for a maximum of one year and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students. The agreement is only available in Swedish, please contact us if you would like to know more.

Please note that doctoral studies at FLoV require physical presence to conduct the studies. Help can be provided to obtain a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden. The department has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, HF 5 kap 7§
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg
First day of employment: January 2027, or by agreement

Contact information

For questions about our third-cycle studies please contact Associate head of third cycle studies, Alva Stråge, alva.strage@gu.se +46 (0)31-786 5963

For questions about the Financial Ethics Research Group or the Sustainable Finance Lab, please contact project leader, Professor Joakim Sandberg, joakim.sandberg@gu.se, +46 (0)31-786 4571

For questions regarding the application, recruitment process, or employment conditions, please contact HR-officer Jennifer Stråle, jennifer.strale@gu.se+46 (0)31-786 4570

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here.

Application

You apply to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal. For the application to be considered complete it must include:

1. An introductory letter of 500 words maximum (approx. 1 page). The letter should consist of three paragraphs in the following order: a) a short presentation of yourself, b) a short presentation of your merits, and c) a short account of why the department / research group / research program is of interest to you.
2. A CV, including a list of publications (if applicable).
3. Bachelor's thesis, master's thesis and (if applicable) up to three other research publications.
4. A project proposal of no more than 2,500 words, in which you describe the specific research question you wish to explore, justify its relevance in relation to both theory and practice, and indicate some main lines of argument you wish to defend. (This is merely a proposal and you will be able to adjust your project at later stages, in consultation with your supervisor.)
5. Certificates of degrees.
6. Other documents or attachments that you wish to appeal to (optional).

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

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

Applications must be received by: October 13, 2026

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

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.