Postdoctoral researcher in Sociology, PAR 2025/865

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 Sociology and Work Science has about 120 employed, teachers, researchers, PhD-students and administrative staff. The Department carries out research, education and collaboration in a number of areas. There is research in areas like the labor market, working life, social deviance, digitalization, emotions, gender, migration, environmental issues, social movements, governance and organization as well as science and technology.

The different fields of research in the department are mainly coordinated around a number of seminar series, where there is constant cross-fertilization as most staff members follow more than one seminar series.

Courses are offered in a range of fields such as sociology, work science, human resource management, criminology and social psychology. The Department also has extensive commitment to several of the University's educational programmes, particularly in teacher education. Collaboration and development projects are conducted both in research and education with partners in the private and public sector for example through the Centre for Global Human Resource Management (CGHRM).

Subject area

Sociology

Duties

The Department is now seeking a postdoctoral researcher in sociology to work within a project funded by the Swedish Research Council. The project aims to study how the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian national liberation movement extends beyond physical warfare to a struggle over representation, rhetoric, and imagery, where international media plays a central role in shaping perceptions of key actors and the historical origins of the conflict.

The project will analyze media representations and how these interact with political movement mobilization from a long-term historical perspective, spanning from 1917 to 2025. Drawing on postcolonial theory and social movement theory, the project seeks to examine how Palestinian movement mobilization is represented in established media in the United Kingdom and Sweden, how these representations have changed over time, and how they relate to the movement's self-representation in its own texts and media, using discourse analysis.

The employment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop independence as a researcher after completing a doctorate and to create the conditions for further qualifications. The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow must mainly conduct research. Teaching is also included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time .

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for this appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree in sociology, or a degree, obtained in Sweden or abroad, that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree in sociology. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

In order to be able to carry out planned empirical collection, the applicant must have a very good ability (equivalent to CEFR B2) to communicate in English and Swedish in speech and writing.

Assessment criteria

In addition to holding a PhD in sociology or an equivalent discipline, documented experience with qualitative research methods relevant to the project within the social sciences is highly meritorious. Knowledge of and experience in conducting research on social movements, the global civil society, and Palestinian or pro-Palestinian movement mobilization is highly meritorious. Experience in analyzing movement texts is highly meritorious. Experience in media analysis is considered an asset.

To succeed in this position, the candidate must demonstrate strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability, including communication and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to work independently.

To assess the candidate's suitability, the applicant must include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) describing how their research agenda can contribute to the project and how they meet the above criteria, a CV including a complete list of publications, degree certificates, two (2) examples of publications, and two references (including contact details).

Employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment of 2 years, 100% full-time and is currently placed at the department of Sociology and Work Science. Accession date by agreement.

Selection process

Besides assessing written documentation from the applicant, the selection process will also include interviews and reference taking.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact professor Håkan Thörn, hakan.thorn@gu.se
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact human resource officer Anna Karin Wiberg, anna-karin.wiberg@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The application should include:

• a cover letter
• CV incl complete list of publications
• degree certificates
• exemples of scientific publications (max 2)
• references, incl contact information

Applications must be received by:15 December, 2025

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.