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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The Faculty of Arts at Umeå University develops the Humanities and invests in future Areas of Excellence.

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious studies invites applications for the doctoral training program in History with focus on historical demography.

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies https://www.umu.se/en/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.

The research within the field of History contains social history, military history, political history, population history, gender history and history of emotions – with a focus from Medieval times to the present. The historical research group has currently around 15 scholars, including a number of professors/ associate professors and ten PhD students. Our research seminar in History and History of Science and Ideas is a significant meeting place for us.

The PhD-candidate position in history with focus on historical demography will be located at the Center for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR) https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-demographic-and-ageing-research/, a cross disciplinary research environment with 30 active researchers. The research at the centre focuses on demographic change and living conditions from a long-term perspective including the ageing population. The centre houses a number of large scale population databases which include individual data used in research and the national infrastructure SwedPop that enables comparative studies with data from other large Swedish historical population databases. The activities at the centre have a strong international character. The center also provides ample opportunities for collaboration with other universities in Sweden and abroad.

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 studies in History at third-cycle level, the applicant must have completed at least 30 credits in history at second-cycle level, with an independent project worth at least 15 credits. Students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within Sweden or abroad, may be admitted for third-cycle studies after assessment.

Applicants should have a strong interest in working with quantitative data and analytical methods.  Proven experience in working with historical-demographic studies will be regarded as a merit. We especially encourage applicants with research plans that focus on studies of northern populations or on comparative studies that include data from different Swedish regions to apply.

See general study plan https://www.umu.se/globalassets/organisation/fakulteter/humfak/humanistik-fakultet/studieplaner-forskarskolan-eng/studieplanfoutbhistoria20160211eng.pdf.

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.

The degree must be completed at the latest at the end of the application period.

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 27 900 SEK and rises in three steps to 32 300 SEK.

Additional information

PhD students are affiliated with the Faculty of Arts Doctoral College https://www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-arts/education/doctoral-studies/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, 31 August 2020. 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

The application must contain:

  • A transcript from the Ladok student registry, a degree certificate, 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.

Your application must be registered in Umeå University’s e-recruitment system no later than 28 February 2020.

Please note: the Swedish version is the official version of this advertisement. In the case of any differences in information between this and the official version, it is the official version that is the legally correct version of the advertisement for these PhD positions.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2020-08-31
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-10-20
Contact
  • Jonny Hjelm, Professor , +46 90-786 70 03, jonny.hjelm@umu.se
  • Peter Lindström, Director of Doctoral Studies, +46 90-786 62 31, peter.lindstrom@umu.se
  • Jonas Nilsson, Head of Department, +46 90-786 99 90, jonas.nilsson@umu.se
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 07.Feb.2020
Last application date 28.Feb.2020 11:59 PM CET

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