Four Doctoral positions in subject-matter education

Om jobbet

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 Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies (IDPP) is one of the strongest educational research environments in the Nordic countries. At the department, there is a shared interest in developing knowledge that contributes to a more equitable and sustainable society through education and research. Work at the department includes teacher education and research on education, the teaching profession, instruction, and learning, as well as development initiatives relevant to school practice. At the undergraduate level, the department is responsible for the primary teacher education programme and the supplementary teacher education programme (KPU), and contributes to the subject teacher education programme. For more information, please visit: https://www.gu.se/en/pedagogical-curricular-professional-studies

The graduate school on subject-specific didactic models in primary school (BEPPE)

Karlstad University and the University of Gothenburg are announcing nine doctoral studentships for the graduate school BEPPE, starting 1 September 2026. Five doctoral students will be placed at Karlstad University, and four at the University of Gothenburg. We are looking for candidates who are interested in conducting research on practice-based subject-didactics in primary education (pre-school and school years 1-6) and teacher education.

In the application, candidates specify which subject area they are applying to, based on their subject expertise and research specialisation. The graduate school welcomes projects in natural sciences (biology, physics and chemistry), social sciences (geography, history, religion and civics), mathematics and languages, with a clear connection to subject-specific education. For the corresponding advertisement with admission at Karlstad university, please go to: https://kau.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:894655/

Research profile of the graduate school

Despite a long tradition of university-based teacher education, there is still no solid scientific foundation for understanding the dynamics between teaching and learning. The graduate school BEPPE aims to contribute to more systematic knowledge about how a selection of scientifically established, but mutually distinct, subject-didactic models function across different subjects and educational contexts, and how they can be integrated into teacher education and primary education. Through coordinated classroom studies, qualities in teaching that enhance pupils' learning are identified to provide a broader understanding of "best practice".

Description of the graduate school

You will be admitted to Karlstad University or the University of Gothenburg, but you may be employed at another Swedish higher education institution that conducts teacher education. It is also possible for candidates who, as yet, are not affiliated with one of the country's teacher education programmes to apply. BEPPE offers a dynamic environment with opportunities to establish international networks, participate in conferences and engage in exchange programmes abroad. More information about the graduate school and its research profile (in Swedish): https://www.kau.se/rose/forskarutbildning/utbildningssatsningar/best-practice-en-forskarskola-om-amnesdidaktiska

Information session

A digital information session about the doctoral school will be held via Zoom on 12 February from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. No prior registration is required. You are welcome to attend:
https://kau-se.zoom.us/j/4678317754?omn=64680222106.

Research Environments

An important part of the research is to contribute to theoretical and practical development in schools and teacher education. As a doctoral student, you will be a part of one of the following subject-didactic research environments.

Didactic classroom studies, in which teaching, learning, and the content of these processes are addressed and studied in an integrated manner:
https://www.gu.se/forskning/didaktiska-klassrumsstudier

Phenomenography, variation theory, and learning studyfocus, for example, on how pupils' opportunities to learn specific subject content can be improved. The research examines content-specific necessary conditions for learning and how these can be created in, for example, teaching through practice-based research in collaboration with teachers:
https://www.gu.se/forskning/fenomenografi-variationsteori-learning-study

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the discipline and the department. You are given the opportunity to deepen your interests in collaboration with others. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement but will not constitute more than 20% of full-time. Work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you organise your tasks. This requires commitment, drive and the ability to structure your work to successfully complete the doctoral thesis. To contribute to a positive work environment and further both the department's activities and your own development as a researcher, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Entry requirements and admission

Eligibility for educational work

To be admitted to doctoral studies in the subject of educational work, the applicant must meet both the general and specific eligibility requirements, as well as having the necessary abilities in other respects to successfully complete the programme.

To meet the general eligibility requirements for doctoral students, an applicant must have:

• completed a degree at the second-cycle level, or

• satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level, or

• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

Specific eligibility for doctoral studies in educational work requires one of the following:

1. A teaching degree at the second-cycle level, or a teaching degree combined with an independent project (degree project) including at least 15 higher education credits at the second-cycle level.

1. At least 90 higher education credits with a focus on educational practice or work with children and young people, or the equivalent, of which at least 30 credits must be at the second-cycle level, including an independent project (degree project) of at least 15 credits.

Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad, may also be considered eligible.

In addition to the general and specific entry requirements, the doctoral studentships also require proficiency in a Scandinavian language due to the nature of the research.

Eligibility for subject-matter education with specialisations

To be admitted to doctoral studies in subject-matter education, an applicant must meet both the general and specific eligibility requirements, as well as having the necessary abilities in other respects to successfully complete the programme.

To meet the general eligibility requirements for doctoral students, an applicant must have:

• completed a degree at the second-cycle level, or

• satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level, or

• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

Specific eligibility for doctoral studies in subject-matter education requires one of the following:

1. A teaching degree, including courses equivalent to at least 60 credits in a relevant subject-matter educational field, and an independent project (degree project) of at least 15 credits at the second-cycle level.

1. At least 90 higher education credits, of which at least 30 are at the second-cycle level, in a relevant subject-matter educational field, including an independent project (degree project) of at least 15 credits at the second-cycle level.

Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad, may also be considered eligible.

In addition to the general and specific entry requirements, the doctoral studentships also require proficiency in a Scandinavian language due to the nature of the research.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment of eligible candidates is based on the criteria listed below.

Special weight will be given to documented qualifications related to

• the quality of the qualifying degree project/thesis
• the quality of the submitted research plan and its relevance in relation to the research profile of the graduate school

Considerable weight will be given to

• the extent to which the candidate intends to be physically present and active in the research environment
• personal qualities, including the ability to work independently, take initiative, and demonstrate persistence and good teamwork skills
• a good command of English

Experience in teaching, primarily within primary education, and secondarily in other forms of educational settings, is considered a valuable qualification.

Employment

In conjunction with admission to the doctoral programme, you will be offered emplyment as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

• Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, corresponding to four years of full-time study
• Extent: 100%
• Location: Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies, University of Gothenburg
• Start date: By agreement

Regulations governing doctoral employment are outlined in Ordinance SFS 1993:100. Those employed as doctoral students are expected to devote their time primarily to their own studies. The university encourages involvement to a limited extent in teaching, research, artistic research, and administration. Such duties may not exceed 20% of full-time work before the doctoral or artistic doctoral degree is awarded (Ordinance 2014:1012).

Doctoral employment is valid until further notice, but no longer than a specified date and never more than one year after the doctoral or artistic doctoral degree has been awarded. The initial appointment may be for up to one year and can be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. A person may be employed as a doctoral student for a total of no more than eight years. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral studies.

The university applies a local agreement regarding salaries for doctoral students.

General information about what is involved in being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's webpages on doctoral studies: https://www.gu.se/forskarutbildning

Recruitment Procedure

Applications are reviewed by an admissions committee whose task is to rank the applicants. Applicants who are shortlisted may be invited to intervjuw. The final decision on admission is made by the head of the department. In accordance with the doctoral study regulations at the University of Gothenburg, only applicants who can be offered appropriate supervision may be admitted to the doctoral programme.

Contact information for the the Postition

Questions regarding the doctoral school may be directed to professor Angelika Kullberg (angelika.kullberg@gu.se). Questions concerning the research environments should be directed to the contact person for each research environment (see the department's website). Questions regarding the employment may be directed to Katarina Grönbäck (katarina.gronback@gu.se).

Application

Submit the application via the University's web-based recruitment tool.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

1. A cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position, no more than 1 A4 page
2. A list of qualifications (CV)
3. Degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates
4. A thesis/degree project comprising at least 15 credits at Master's level and, if available, one additional research-related text (for example, an article, report or equivalent)
5. A preliminary research plan in which the intended doctoral project is described in a maximum of five A4 pages, 11-point font, excluding reference list. This should include background and purpose, previous research, theoretical background, method and references. It should also specify the third-cycle subject area to which you wish to be admitted.
6. Two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or former or current manager
7. ther qualifications relevant to the position

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content. Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies
Att: Katarina Grönbäck
University of Gothenburg
Box 300
SE-405 30 GOTHENBURG

Please mark the envelope with the reference number for the position:PAR 2026/61

Application deadline: 2026-03-16

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.