PhD student in Religious studies - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Faculty of Arts at Umeå University develops the Humanities and invests in future Areas of Excellence. The Faculty particularly advances research within Digital Humanities and Global Challenges.

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies invites applications for the doctoral training program in Religious Studies.

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies conducts teaching and research in Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Philosophy, History, History and Education, History of Science and Ideas, Religious Studies and Theology, and Science, Technology and Environment.

Research Environment
The Department offers undergraduate programs leading to B.A. degrees as well as graduate programs leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Religious Studies and Theology. Research is conducted in the fields of History of Religions, Psychology of Religion, Religious Education, Biblical Studies, Church History, Practical Theology, and Systematic Theology. Several scholars, teachers and Ph.D. candidates are actively engaged in the research field.

Doctoral education in Religious Studies/Theology consists of two general programs, each containing further sub-specializations. The two general programs are: (a) Historical-Systematic Theology and (b) Social Sciences of Religion. In the first program, religious ideas and practices – both historical and contemporary – are studied with historical and systematic/philosophical methods and theories. The main focus is on the Christian traditions. In the second program, religious beliefs, ideas, behaviors, groups and organizations in culture and society are studied with methods and theories from the humanities and the social sciences. Applications can only be made for studies in the Social Sciences of Religion program.

More information about the research environment is available on the individual researcher’s website.

Qualifications

General requirements
To be admitted to studies at the third-cycle level, the applicant must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements. General requirements: a Master’s or equivalent degree in a relevant field, having completed course requirements worth at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or in some other way – either in Sweden or abroad – having acquired equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements
In order to meet the specific eligibility requirements for admission to religious studies at third-cycle level, the applicant must have completed at least 30 credits at second-cycle level, with an independent project worth at least 15 credits in religious studies/theology with the specialization that corresponds to the intended penetration in their thesis work. Students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within Sweden or abroad, may be admitted for third-cycle studies after assessment.

See General Syllabus.

Assessment criteria
Applicants are ranked with reference to their capacity to benefit from and complete the program. The assessment is based primarily on prior study results, with particular consideration given to essays, and the quality of the research plan and its relevance for the subject area. The assessment is also based on references and interviews, and possibly additional evaluations of the main candidates.

Terms of employment
PhD students will mainly devote themselves to their own education at third-cycle level. Employment as a PhD student will be for the time deemed necessary for the completion of research studies at a normal rate of study, which corresponds to a full-time position for four years. An initial contract of 12 months is extended with up to two years at a time provided that the individual study plan is followed. A PhD student may to a limited extent also work with teaching and administration up to a maximum of 20 percent of full-time. The period of employment may thus be extended up to a maximum of five years. The entry level salary is 26 500 SEK and rises in three steps to 31 000 SEK.

Additional information
PhD students are affiliated with the Faculty of Arts Doctoral College, coordinated with the PhD training program at the relevant department. The PhD studies begin at the start of the autumn semester, 3 September 2018. The place of work is Umeå University. The PhD students are expected to actively contribute to the research environment.

According to The Higher Education Ordinance, chapter 12 §2, a decision of appointment for a PhD student position may not be appealed.

Application
An application should contain:

• A transcript from the Ladok student registry, and/or equivalent attested copies of your academic transcripts proving that general and specific requirements are met
• Curriculum vitae, including name and contact information of two reference persons
• Copies of relevant BA and MA theses and other relevant publications
• Research plan – must not exceed 30 000 characters including spaces – that contains: purpose and research problem, previous research, implementation: that is, method, material and theory, relevance and time plan
• A letter that states your motivation for undertaking research training leading to a PhD, and that specifies what expertise at the Department is needed for carrying out your research. Indicate if you intend to align your project with the profile area The Digital Humanities and/or Global Challenges.

Your application must be registered in Umeå University’s e-recruitment system no later than 9 March 2018.

We look forward to receiving your application!