Umeå University, Faculty of Social Sciences

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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Department of Education is one of the largest departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences with about 80 employees. Research and development is mainly pursued in the areas of: Sports Science; Learning and ICT; Didactics, Evaluation and Assessment; Leadership, Organisation and Working life; Special Education; and Gender and Pedagogical Processes in Society. The department offers a broad range of degrees and is involved in a number of programmes including the Study Programme for Sports Science, the Study Programme for Human Resource Management and the Basic Training Programme for Police Officers.

Project description:
The thesis-work will be part of a larger research project, and involve collaboration with other researchers. The project “Adequate digital competence for school leaders” focuses on the importance of school leadership for school digitalization. First and foremost, it is about describing, explaining and understanding the prerequisites for school leaders to be able to exercise strategic leadership with the intention of strengthening the school's activities with the support of society's ongoing digitalization, for example regarding factors that are of importance for understanding what adequate digital competence for school leaders could be.

The project is implemented within Umeå University's industrial doctoral school (IDS) and will comprise close cooperation with ATEA Sverige AB.

Umeå University Industrial Doctoral School for Research and Innovation:
The Industrial Doctoral School (IDS) is a multidisciplinary research school where the projects are based on collaborations between Umeå University and external organizations. The PhD students in IDS form an interdisciplinary group that, in addition to each scientific specialization, is given a tailor-made course package providing a strong platform for future work within research and development. A PhD position in IDS also includes a three-month internship at the external organizations for each doctoral student.

Requirements and qualifications:
To qualify for the PhD programme, students must fulfil both general and specific entry requirements.

To fulfil the general requirements the student has to a) have a degree awarded at the advanced level, or b) completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 ECTS are at the advanced level, or c) have substantially equivalent knowledge otherwise acquired in Sweden or abroad (HF 7 kap. 39).

To fulfil the specific entry requirements the student must hold a University degree with a major in Pedagogy of at least 90 ECTS and a) have a degree awarded at the advanced level in Pedagogy, or b) have 60 ECTS at advanced level in Pedagogy, or c) have other corresponding and relevant education, with a corresponding scope and depth. These entry requirement will be fulfilled by those who otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge, in Sweden or abroad. 

Another requirement is that the candidate has very good skills in oral and written communication in both Swedish and English. 

The assessment of the applicants are based primarily on:

  • Ability to benefit from the doctoral-level education they will receive
  • Previous academic performances, and
  • Quality of the submitted research proposal, in relations to the focus on the advertised PhD-position. 

The following assessment criteria will be applied when assessing the ability to benefit from the education:

  • Analytical ability
  • Communicative ability, oral and written
  • Critical ability
  • Independence, and

The ability to preform within given time frames. 

Own experience as a school leader is meriting. 

The Department of Education strives for diversity and even gender distribution among the employees. Therefore, we welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current position. 

Application:
A complete application must consist of: (i) a cover letter summarizing the applicant’s qualifications and motives for applying; (ii) a curriculum vitae; (iii) transcripts of records (a list of courses and marks obtained in higher education) and a copy of diploma; (iv) bachelor and master thesis and any other research qualifications; and (v) the names and contact details of two references. 

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the higher Education Ordinance (chapter 12, 2§) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed.

For further information please contact Professor J Ola Lindberg, +46- (0)90-786 62 38, ola.j.lindberg@umu.se, or director of graduate studies Ulrika Haake, +46- (0) 90-786 96 21, ulrika.haake@umu.se  

The salary follows the fixed salary ladder for doctoral positions. 

Union information is available from SACO, +46- (0)90-786 50 68, SEKO, +46- (0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46- (0)90-786 54 31. 

Your complete application Dnr AN 2.2.1-660-18 must be uploaded in the e-recruitment system MyNetwork at the latest at 2018-05-01.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment August 2018
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-660-18
Published 09.Apr.2018
Last application date 01.May.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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