Doctoral student in religious education - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

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.

The Department offers courses in religious studies and theology at the undergraduate (first-cycle), advanced (second-cycle), and graduate (third-cycle) level. Research is conducted in the fields of Religious Education, Psychology of Religion, Sociology of Religion, History of Religions, Biblical Studies, Church History, Practical Theology, and Systematic Theology. Several scholars and Ph.D. students conduct research in religious education. International scholars frequently serve as guest teachers in the doctoral training program. Locally the group collaborates closely with UmSOD, the Umeå Research Group in Social Science Didactics. 

Doctoral education in Religious Studies consists of two general programs, (a) Social Sciences of Religion and (b) Historical-Systematic Theology. In the former 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. More information about the research environment is available on the individual researcher’s website. 

Specialization of the doctoral studentship
The doctoral studentship in Religious Studies has a focus on Religious Education. Research in this area mainly involves studies of teaching and learning about religion carried out in an organized form. This doctoral studentship focuses on teaching and learning about religion at preschool, school and/or university. We invite applications within this particular area of research.

This PhD position is a collaboration with the Umeå School of Education (https://www.umu.se/lararhogskolan/) and is part of The Postgraduate School in the Educational Sciences (https://www.umu.se/en/umea-school-of-education/education/the-postgraduate-school-in-the-educational-sciences/) 

Qualifications
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. 

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 dissertation's intended topic. Students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within Sweden or abroad, may be admitted for third-cycle studies after assessment. 

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
Doctoral 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.

Doctoral students are affiliated with the Postgraduate school in the educational sciences, coordinated with the doctoral training program at the relevant department. Doctoral 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. See general study plan. 

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

Application
Applications are submitted in the e-recruitment system Varbi, found via the University’s page for open positions: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/
The application is to be submitted no later than March 27, 2020. The employment starts on August 31, 2020.

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.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note: the Swedish version is the official version of this advertisement. In the case of any differences in information between this translation and the official version, the latter takes precedence and is the legally binding document.

We are looking forward to your application no later than March 27, 2020!