PhD position in Gender Studies, focusing on Educational Sciences

Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS) is announcing one PhD position in gender studies, in collaboration with Umeå School of Education.

Gender studies is a broad and interdisciplinary field of knowledge, where gender in a wide sense is studied, often in relation to other aspects of power within a social or cultural context. Research in the field spans from the humanities and social sciences to medical and technical-natural sciences.

Doctoral projects in gender studies can be both empirically and theoretically oriented. Within the framework of this position, the doctoral student will have considerable scope to develop their own research project. As a doctoral student, you will also be admitted to the Postgraduate School in Educational Sciences.

 The Postgraduate School in Educational Sciences offers a coherent environment for doctoral education in the field of educational sciences at Umeå University. You will combine your doctoral education at UCGS with being part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary doctoral student group and have access to national and international research networks. As a doctoral student in the graduate school, you will contribute to the development of knowledge in the field, for the benefit of researchers as well as teachers and other educational professions.

Read more about The Postgraduate School in Educational Sciences.

Employment

Doctoral education comprises four years of full-time study (240 ECTS credits), starting on 31 August 2026 or according to agreement. Opportunities for some teaching and/or other duties at UCGS may be offered, in which case the employment will be extended accordingly. For more details about doctoral education in gender studies, including the general syllabus, see here.

The place of employment is Umeå, and work will primarily be carried out on campus. The doctoral student will be admitted to the Postgraduate School in Educational Sciences together with doctoral students from other disciplines. Doctoral students in gender studies are expected to actively participate and engage in both UCGS and the Postgraduate School of Educational Sciences.

Eligibility

The general entry requirements for admission to doctoral education are a completed second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways within or outside Sweden.

To meet the specific entry requirements for admission to doctoral education in gender studies, the applicant must have at least 90 ECTS credits in gender studies or a Master’s degree in Gender studies of at least 60 ECTS credits.

Assessment and selection criteria

Selection among applicants for available positions in doctoral education will be based on their ability to benefit from the education, previous study results, and the quality of the submitted research proposal. The following criteria will be applied when assessing the ability to successfully complete the education:

• Written and oral communication skills
• Independence
• Critical ability
• Analytical ability
• Ability to complete tasks within given time frames 

In the research proposal, an educational science perspective should be integrated, demonstrating how it contributes to the proposed dissertation work.

Application

Applications must be submitted via the e-recruitment system Varbi. The following documents should be uploaded in the system:

1. Research proposal (max 5 pages excluding references) for the intended dissertation project, including:

• Problem formulation, purpose, and research questions
• Previous research and contribution to the research front
• Theoretical framework
• Research strategy, method, and material 

2. A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, scientific interests and motives for applying (max two pages)
3. CV
4. Diplomas of Bachelor and Master level degrees and if necessary, other documents confirming that you are eligible
5. Bachelor/Master theses work/other relevant publications
6. Other merits of relevance for the position
7. Contact information to two reference persons

Attached documents must be in Word or PDF format. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application deadline: 6 march 2026.

About Umeå Centre for Gender Studies

Umeå Centre for Gender Studies offers education in Gender studies at all levels, from undergraduate and advanced level to doctoral education. UCGS is one of the largest gender research environments in Sweden. The unit is a vibrant and creative research environment that promotes cross-sectoral encounters and scientific collaborations, actively striving to address current societal challenges through knowledge development and education. We serve as a hub responsible for creating a cohesive and strong organization for gender studies research and education at Umeå University.

For more information about Umeå Centre for Gender Studies, see here, and for more information about the The gender research school, see here.

Further Information

For questions about doctoral education in Gender Studies and the activities of The gender research school, see the links above or contact:

For questions regarding Gender Studies: Johanna Overud, johanna.overud@umu.se, +4690-786 97 08
For questions regarding Educational Sciences: Emil Marklund, emil.marklund@umu.se +4690-786 62 02
UCGS Director Åsa Karlsson Sjögren, asa.karlsson.sjogren@umu.se, +4690-786 62 48

Salary is set according to the established salary ladder for doctoral positions.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, Section 2), decisions on employment cannot be appealed.

Welcome with your application!