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

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
The research discipline Educational work is focused on a didactic scientific basis and on teachers professional knowledge. At the department of Language studies, the research discipline is focused on research around language and learning. You will find more information about the doctoral studies and our supervisors´ areas of expertise here. This doctoral position is a collaboration with Umeå School of Education and is part of the Postgraduate school in the educational sciences.

As a doctoral student, you formulate your own research plan in Educational work with a specialization in language, and independently develop your dissertation project in consultation with your supervisors. Your supervisors are assigned based on the project's focus. You will have continuous supervision and follow-ups with your supervisors as well as with the Director of Research Studies. You will be a part of the department's research environment where you are expected to contribute through active participation in seminars, research networks, academic gatherings and conferences. You will also take part in other meetings and gatherings at the department, such as workplace meetings and staff days.

Qualifications

General requirements

To be admitted to studies at the third-cycle level, the applicant must meet both general and subject specific entry requirements. 

Applicants meet the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if they:

1. has been awarded a second-cycle qualification
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Specific requirements

In order to meet the specific eligibility requirements for admission to studies in Educational Work at the third-cycle level, the applicant must have a teaching degree, two years of professional experience, and a completed 15-credit essay. Students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within Sweden or abroad, may be admitted for third-cycle studies after assessment. 

See general syllabus.

Assessment criteria

Applicants are ranked with reference to their capacity to benefit from and complete the programme. Assessment is based primarily on prior study results, with particular consideration given to degree projects or equivalent, and the quality of the research plan and its relevance for the subject area. As you are expected to run your own project, you should be self-motivated and structured and have a high commitment to the project. This employment also requires good knowledge of spoken and written English. Other language skills are meritorious. References, interviews, and other evaluations of the candidates are also taken into consideration.

General and subject specific entry requirements must have been met at the time of applying.

Terms of employment

Doctoral students will primarily devote themselves to their education at third-cycle level. Employment as a doctoral student is for the time necessary for the completion of research studies at a normal rate of study, which corresponds to a full-time position for four years. The initial contract of 12 months may be extended by up to a maximum of two years at a time, providing that the doctoral student’s individual study plan has been followed. Doctoral students may work with teaching and administration up to a maximum of 20 percent of their full-time employment. In such cases, the period of employment is extended with the equivalent time spend on teaching/administration, up to a maximum of one additional year.  

Doctoral students are affiliated with the Postgraduate school in the educational sciences, coordinated with the doctoral training programme at the relevant department. Doctoral studies begin at the start of the autumn semester, 2 September 2024.  The place of work is Umeå University. The entry level salary is 30 900 SEK and rises in four steps to 35 600 SEK. Doctoral students are expected to actively contribute to the research environment.

The doctoral student will have their employment at the Department of Language studies and the department is responsible for the subject-specific research training and for supervision.

According to The Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 12, Section 2, a decision of appointment for a doctoral 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. The system is open for applications until 29 March 2024. 

https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/

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.

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!