Doctoral student position in Social Work

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.

The Department of Social Work is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Gothenburg and is one of the largest and most well-established environments for research and education in social work in the Nordic region. The Department has more than 130 employees and provides education at first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle levels. Its range of courses and study programmes includes the Bachelor of Science Programme in Social Work, Master's programmes in Social Work and Human Rights, professional development programmes and courses, and doctoral studies.

As a research discipline, social work focuses on understanding people in vulnerable social situations, societal interventions, social policy measures and social processes. Research is conducted within several profile areas and is characterised by a strong commitment to society. The Department also has extensive international contacts and collaborations through research networks and partnerships with universities in different parts of the world.

More information about the Department is available at: https://www.gu.se/en/socwork

Duties

During the programme, the doctoral student is expected to complete both a thesis component and a course component, comprising compulsory and elective doctoral courses in accordance with the general syllabus and an individual study plan. During the period of doctoral studies, the thesis work will be presented and discussed at a minimum of three seminars. The programme concludes with the doctoral student defending their doctoral thesis at a public dissertation defence.

Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study and lead to a doctoral degree.

As part of your doctoral studentship, you may undertake departmental duties corresponding to a maximum of 20% of full-time employment, distributed over the entire period of study. If so, the period of study will be extended accordingly. Departmental duties normally consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administrative duties.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to doctoral studies, applicants must meet the general entry requirements and, where applicable, the specific entry requirements set out in the general syllabus for the third-cycle subject area.

An applicant meets the general entry requirements for doctoral studies if they have:

1. been awarded a second-cycle qualification; or
2. completed courses corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level; or
3. acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

For admission to doctoral studies in social work, applicants must also meet the following requirements:

• a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work, 210 higher education credits; and
• at least 60 higher education credits in social work at second-cycle level, including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits; or
• equivalent knowledge acquired in some other way corresponding to both of the requirements above.

Assessment criteria

Selection among applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements is based on their ability to benefit from doctoral studies. The assessment therefore aims to evaluate the applicant's capacity to undertake doctoral studies and to develop their ability to formulate a research problem, independently carry out a research project and present research findings.

As the programme is primarily conducted in Swedish, a good command of Swedish is required. A good command of English is also required in order to benefit from the programme.

The applicant's ability to benefit from doctoral studies will be assessed on the basis of:

• the quality of the research proposal submitted with the application;
• the feasibility of the proposed project;
• the project's relevance to the field of social work;
• the quality of previous theses and other written work; and
• academic and research qualifications.

The Department's ability to offer academic supervision based on the applicant's preliminary research focus, as well as to provide a good research environment for the planned doctoral thesis, is also taken into consideration. Previous professional experience in social work is considered a merit.

Applications will be assessed and prioritised by an assessment group at the Department of Social Work. Interviews form part of the selection process. The final decision on admission is made by the Head of Department and cannot be appealed.

Applicants who are employed by another employer and whose doctoral studies are financed by that employer may also be admitted as externally employed doctoral students. These students are known as collaborative doctoral students (SWE: Samverkansdoktorand) and are subject to the same admissions criteria as other applicants. A separate agreement will be drawn up between the employer and the Department.

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 student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

The initial period of employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

Please note, doctoral studies at the Department of Social Work require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Department of Social Work 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.

Additional information

For more information about the programme, please see the General Syllabus for Doctoral Studies in Social Work, available at:

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

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

The position is based in Gothenburg and requires the admitted doctoral student to reside in and be registered in Sweden.

Contact information

Sofia Vales, Doctoral Studies Administrator
sofia.vales@socwork.gu.se

Andreas Eriksson, Deputy Head of Department responsible for doctoral studies
andreas.eriksson@socwork.gu.se

Moa Irekvist, doctoral student
moa.irekvist@socwork.gu.se

Department website: https://www.gu.se/en/socwork

Unions

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

https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position

Application

Applications for admission to doctoral studies must be submitted via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the University no later than the application deadline.

For an application to be considered complete, it must include:

1. An introductory letter of no more than 500 words. The letter must include: (a) a brief presentation of yourself, (b) a brief presentation of your qualifications and experience, and (c) a brief presentation of the proposed research project.
2. A CV, including certified documentation of qualifications and a list of publications.
3. Theses, degree projects and other relevant written work.
4. A research proposal of no more than 1700 words, including references.
   In the research proposal, the applicant must identify a research area and relevant research questions, explain their relevance, and discuss theories, methods and materials that may be appropriate. The proposal should indicate possible directions for the applicant's doctoral thesis and will serve as a basis for assessing the applicant's ability to identify relevant and interesting research questions and to make appropriate methodological considerations in relation to the proposed project.
5. Certified copies of degree certificates and documentation demonstrating that the specific entry requirements have been met.
6. A description of, and supporting documentation for, any other relevant qualifications, such as participation in research, evaluation activities or similar development work.

Documents, certificates, publications and similar materials that are not available in electronic form must be sent to:

University of Gothenburg
Department of Social Work
Attn: Sofia Vales
Box 720
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Sweden

Please state registration number PAR 2026/724.

Applications must be received by 28 January 2027.

Information for International Applicants - 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.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.