Doctoral student in Literature - ,

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

The Department of Language Studies invites applications for the doctoral training programme in English, French, Russian or Spanish Literature. 

The Department of Language Studies is a creative and dynamic department offering inspiring education based on a academic foundation and pioneering research within a wide range of subjects. The department provides education and conducts research in linguistics, Scandinavian languages, modern languages and literatures (English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish), Sami (language and culture), language didactics, and educational work with focus on language and learning.  Welcome to a place where language and literature become sources of both intellectual pleasure and practical benefit!

Specialization of the doctoral studentship 

Within the subject Literature, researchers at the department work within several languages and with a large number of genres and forms from different time periods. We usually work on individually designed projects but often share theoretical approaches or methodological starting points. You can read more about supervisors’ research interests here but note that your project does not need to be closely connected to research already carried out at the department. Instead, as a doctoral student you formulate your own research plan and develop your research project in consultation with your supervisors who contribute broadly with knowledge about theory, method, and academic craft. You will be part of the department’s research environment by participating in seminars, research groups, and academic gatherings. You will also take part in other department activities, such as workplace meetings and staff days. More information about doctoral studies is found here. 

Qualifications

General requirements

To be admitted to studies at the third-cycle level, i.e. doctoral education, 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 (Master’s) 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 literature at the third cycle level, the applicant must have completed the equivalent of 120 credits at second-cycle level in a subject of central relevance for the research area; which must include a degree project/equivalent of at least 15-credits.

See general syllabus.

Assessment criteria

Applicants are ranked with reference to their capacity to benefit from and complete the programme. 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 additional possible 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 doctoral studies. Employment as a doctoral student will be for the time deemed necessary for the completion of doctoral studies at a normal rate of study, which corresponds to a full-time position for four years. An initial contract of twelve months is extended with up to two years at a time provided that the individual study plan is followed. A doctoral student may, to a limited extent, also work with teaching and administration up to a maximum of 20 percent of a full-time position. The period of employment may thus be extended up to a maximum of five years. The entry level salary is SEK 30,900 and rises in three steps to SEK 35,600.

Additional information

Doctoral students are affiliated with a research school, normally the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Doctoral College. The studies are coordinated with the doctoral training programme at the relevant department. The doctoral studies begin at the start of the autumn semester, 2 September 2024. The place of work is Umeå University. High presence in the environment is a requirement. The doctoral students are expected to contribute actively to the research environment. 

According to The Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 12, Section 2, a decision of appointment for a doctoral student position may not be appealed.

Application

An application must contain:

• A degree certificate, transcript from the Ladok student registry, and/or equivalent attested copies of your academic transcripts proving that general and specific entry requirements are met.
• Curriculum vitae, including name and contact information of two reference persons.
• Copies of relevant Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and other relevant publications.
• A letter that states your motivation for undertaking doctoral studies, and that specifies what expertise at the department is needed for carrying out your research.
• Research plan – should normally not exceed 30,000 characters including spaces – that contains a description of the proposed:
  - purpose and research problem;
  - previous research;
  - implementation, that is, method, material and theory;
  - relevance; and
  - time plan.

Your application must be registered in Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi no later than 10 March 2024.

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 doctoral student positions.

We look forward to receiving your application!