The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 53 500 students and 6 500 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion is one of the six departments of the Faculty of Humanities. It has about 100 employees (of which about 20 are doctoral students) and approximately 1,000 students. For more information about the department see: https://www.gu.se/en/literature-history-of-ideas-religion

The postgraduate education in Religious studies with didactic focus is part of a creative research milieu that includes a number of different areas. Research in Religious Studies aims to understand and critically reflect on the function and place of religion in historical and contemporary contexts. At the department for Literature, history of ideas and religion, research within Religious studies includes studies of the functions of religion, religious change and interpretation historically and today, as well as analysis of texts and practices. Religious Studies provides insights into historical processes, religious encounters and conflicts, and theological and ethical positions and debates. These skills are increasingly relevant to the multireligious and multicultural society of our times. Research about the learning and teaching about religion, didactics of religion, is closely knit to the teacher training programme, but has, over the years come to include other parts of our research and education. The doctoral position in religious studies with focus on didactics is part of this wider research context.     

In addition to PhD students in Religious studies, the department also holds PhD students in humanities with a focus on educational science that are affiliated to the post graduate school CUL (Center for Educational Science and Teacher Research), which contributes to an educational science-oriented research environment.

Job assignments

A doctoral (PhD) student is expected to conduct research and to contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline. Expectations of a doctoral student include the capacity to develop independent ideas and communicate research results in oral and written form. The aim of the doctoral position is for the doctoral student to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to conduct research autonomously within Religious studies with focus on didactics and to contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline through the production of a scholarly thesis. Another aim is for the doctoral student to develop an ability to apply the acquired knowledge and skills within post-degree research or other qualified professional work.

Doctoral student will be expected to be physically present at the Department and actively interact in the programme environment, which includes active participation in the Department’s third-cycle and research seminars. While the Department's working language is Swedish, the PhD programme may be conducted in English. However, non-Swedish PhD students are expected to learn Swedish during their PhD programme. Doctoral theses may be written in Swedish or English. The University offers introductory courses in Swedish on an as-needed basis.

If the department needs teaching staff, the doctoral student can be offered the possibility to teach at the teacher training program and in related educational fields. Teacher’s degree with Religious education and work experience from school provide useful qualification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position, the applicant must meet both general and specific entry requirements. An applicant meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle (PhD) studies if he/she has obtained (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.39):

  1. a degree at the second-cycle level (MA level, or equivalent),
  2. at least 240 higher education (university) credits, of which at least 60 must be at the second-cycle level, or
  3. equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways in Sweden or abroad.

The specific qualifications for postgraduate education in Religious Studies requires at least 30 higher education credits in Religious Studies at advanced level, of which at least 15 higher education credits consist of independent work (e.g., MA thesis) or equivalent knowledge.

Assessment

Selection among applicants who meet the requirements for basic and special eligibility is based on the ability to successfully complete the education at the doctoral level.

Employment

Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1998:80. Only those who are admitted to third-cycle studies may be appointed to doctoral positions. Those appointed to doctoral positions will primarily devote themselves to their studies. The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. The total employment period may not exceed the time corresponding to full-time studies for four years. The position may include departmental duties, such as teaching or administration, corresponding to up to 20% of a full-time post over the course of study. If such tasks are carried out, the duration of the appointment will be extended accordingly.

Type of employment: 4 years
Extent: 100 %
Location: The Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion, University of Gothenburg
First day of employment: 2022-02-01

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated by a local agreement at the University.

Appointment procedure

The appointment procedure involves two stages:

1) A shortlist is made based on material included in the application. 
2) The shortlisted candidates will be called to an interview on December 1, 2021. The interview process will involve a short oral presentation of the applicant’s project proposal.

For further information regarding the position

Questions regarding the third-cycle education:

Olle Widhe, director of doctoral studies
olle.widhe@lir.gu.se

Jong Ho, HR administrator
jong.ho@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

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/

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

Please enclose the following documents with the application:

  1. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to the position and reflect on the progress which you consider can be traced in your degree projects. If it is evident from the certificates that it took you a very long time to complete the degree projects, you may wish to comment on this fact. This text may not exceed 3,000 characters (including blank spaces), and may be written in Swedish or English.
  2. Curriculum vitae / CV containing contact information, education, work experience and other relevant qualifications.
  3. Degree certificates and/or a certificate of enrolment from Ladok, or equivalent system, specifying your completed coursework. The certificates must demonstrate that you meet the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies as well as the specific entry requirements specified in the respective programme syllabus (https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/internt-lir/for-doktorander/studieplaner/?languageId=100001).
  4. Degree projects (from second cycle and first cycle, if any) and any publications you find relevant. You may submit up to five texts (which should also be attached as a pdf); any additional texts can be listed in a separate document. Submitted texts will be assessed primarily based on the following criteria: originality and scholarly relevance, difficulty of the topic addressed, and precision in the use of methods and the overall presentation of the work.
  5. A description of your intended thesis project. This description should identify the purpose and aim of the project, the problem(s) addressed, material that will be used, and how the project relates to previous research. The project draft should also include a discussion on which theories and methods you may utilise. The draft will be assessed based on the following criteria: originality, scholarly relevance and rigor, and feasibility. The draft can include a preliminary outline or list of different phases and components of the thesis project, as well as a general timetable for the project. The draft may not exceed 20,000 characters (including blank spaces, notes and references).

Closing date: 2021-09-15

 

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.

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.