PhD position in literature with a gender focus - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Language Studies in cooperation with the Graduate School of Gender Studies advertises one PhD position in the main field of English, Russian, or Spanish Literature, with a focus on gender. We welcome your application no later than 19 March 2018.

The Department of Language Studies was formed is 2008 and is now an established centre for innovative research across the traditional disciplines of linguistics, Scandinavian languages, modern languages and literatures (English, Finnish, French, German, Russian, Spanish), the Sami languages and cultures, language teaching and learning, and educational work focused on language and learning. For more information about the department, see here. For more information about the position, see.

The Graduate School of Gender Studies has since 2001 co-financed research degree programmes at all faculties at Umeå University. A PhD student’s affiliation with Umeå Center for Gender Studies therefore entails participation in a unique and dynamic research training environment, at present seeing around thirty active PhD students.

The research discipline literature is focused on studies of literature from specific language areas. The applicant for the PhD position independently formulates a research project. However, only projects that have a clear focus on gender, and for which suitable supervision can be guaranteed, will be considered. You can read more about our supervisors’ research interests here. We invite prospective PhD candidates to contact supervisors prior to application.

Doctoral studies are equivalent to four years of full-time studies (240 ECTS credits). A doctoral student may teach or carry out other work within the department, up to a maximum of twenty percent of the total working time. If so, the period of employment is extended accordingly to guarantee four years of study time. Regarding the content of graduate studies in literature, see the general syllabus.

Requirements and evaluation criteria

To be admitted to studies at the third-cycle level, the applicant must meet the basic eligibility requirements and any specific eligibility requirements stipulated by the faculty board, and must be deemed to have such abilities as are otherwise required in order to assimilate the education. (Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, chapter 7, 35 §) The basic eligibility requirements are having been awarded a degree at second-cycle level, 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 largely equivalent knowledge. The faculty board may grant dispensation from the basic eligibility requirements for individual applicants, if special reasons exist. (Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, 7 chapter, 39 §)

In order to meet the specific eligibility requirements for admission to studies in literature at the third-cycle level, the applicant must have completed at least 120 credits at second-cycle level in a subject of central relevance for the research area; these need to include a 15 credit essay. A selection of applicants who meet the entry requirements will be based on their ability to complete the doctoral studies, their prior study results, and the quality of the research plan.

The following assessment criteria are used to evaluate the applicant’s ability to complete the doctoral studies:
• a curious, enterprising, and creative mind, evidence of which should emerge from the MA, or similar, thesis;
• good writing skills;
• a very good and demonstrable command of written and spoken Swedish (or another Nordic language) and/or English;
• ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Application
A complete application needs to contain:

1. A letter that states your motivation for undertaking research training leading to a PhD
2. A research plan (no more than 5 pages, references not included)
3. Curriculum vitae
4. Degree certificates
5. Copies of relevant BA and MA theses and other relevant publications
6. Possible other achievements of relevance to the position
7. Contact information to two reference persons

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

For more information about the position, please contact director of research studies Maria Lindgren Leavenworth, maria.lindgren@umu.se, +46 (0)90 786 52 41, or Deputy Head of Department Marlene Johansson Falck, marlene.johansson.falck@umu.se, +46 (0)90 786 60 04

The entry level salary is currently 26 500 SEK per month and rises in three steps to 31000 SEK per month. According to chapter 12, sec. 2 of the Act on Higher Education (“Högskoleförordningen”) the employment decision is not subject to appeal.

Your application must be registered in Umeå University's e-recruitment system no later than 19th March 2018.

We look forward to your application!