Umeå University, Faculty of Arts

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

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Umeå University calls for two postdoc researchers to a cross-disciplinary disability project funded by the European Research Council. Each of the two positions concern a two-year employment (100%) focusing on disability in present-day society. Application deadline is November 4, 2016.

Description of the disability Project

The two positions are funded by a cross-disciplinary project (2016-21) led by Lotta Vikström that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovative programme, ”DISLIFE Liveable disabilities: Life courses and opportunity structures across time” (Consolidator Grant Agreement No. 647125).

Both positions concern a two-year employment (100%) at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, starting from January 1, 2017, unless otherwise agreed. Affiliation with other research environments at Umeå University is possible depending on the scientific background of the candidates selected.

The DISLIFE project aims to clarify the diverse impacts disability has on people’s possibilities in life and society by investigating four research themes across time: (1) health and well-being; (2) education and work; (3) partner relationship and family; and (4) activities in leisure structures (e.g. culture, sports, social media). The DISLIFE project employs life course perspectives and combines quantitative and qualitative methods uniting scholars from different disciplines.

For more information about the DISLIFE project see:

DISLIFE website: http://www.idesam.umu.se/english/research/research-projects/dislife/

For a further presentation of the project’s thematic research, see:

http://www.idesam.umu.se/digitalAssets/176/176317_moredislifesubm1_160211.pdf

Job description

The two postdoc positions focus on disability in present-day society to contribute research to one or more of the four themes of the DISLIFE project. Some minor administrative tasks might be included in the employment. Candidates are expected to consult the project description while constructing their application (see websites above). The scientific background of the applicant and the research proposed can be in any main field(s) if the candidate and proposal benefit the thematic research of the DISLIFE project.

Qualifications and assessments

Qualified are candidates who have a doctor degree, or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent, preferably not more than three years before application deadline, unless there are special reasons (e.g. parental or sick leave). The doctor degree or other scientific merits must not necessarily be based on disability studies but be beneficial to the disability research the candidates propose and to the DISLIFE project.

The major assessment is based on the candidates’ scientific merits and especially on the quality of the research plan and its relevance to one or more of the four research themes of the DISLIFE project. Further selection criteria highly regarded concern the candidate’s ability to work both independently and as member of a group, his/her oral and writing communication ability and willingness to contribute disability research that aspires to the highest levels of scholarly excellence.

Application

The application should provide the below documents in English or Swedish:

  1.  A letter of interest that states the candidate’s motivation for applying for the present position and his/her qualifications of special interest to the DISLIFE project (1-2 pp)
  2. Curriculum Vitae and validated copies of degree certificates (date of thesis defense and its title, current and previous positions, grants, awards, research collaborations)
  3. A full publication list with copies of 3-5 of the most relevant works, the thesis included
  4. A research plan that shows aims, methods and theories of the study and positions it in a research context and in relation to the DISLIFE project (5-7 pp)
  5. A list of 2-3 referee persons including their positions and contact details

The application must be registered in MyNetwork Pro, no later than November 4, 2016.

Further information

Each of the two employments is for two years (100%) starting from January 1, 2017, unless otherwise agreed. The candidates selected are required to be present in the environment to a high extent.

For more information about the two employments, contact Professor Lotta Vikström (+46-90-7866266, lotta.vikstrom@umu.se), or Head of department, Jonas Nilsson (+46-90-7869990, jonas.nilsson@umu.se).

For information about the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, see: http://www.idesam.umu.se/english/?languageId=1

We look forward to receiving your application!

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2017-01-01 or upon agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 2
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-1174-16
Contact
  • Jonas Nilsson, prefekt, Jonas.Nilsson@umu.se 090-786 99 90
  • Lotta Vikström, professor, Lotta.Vikstrom@umu.se 070-588 73 83
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 22.Sep.2016
Last application date 04.Nov.2016 11:59 PM CET

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