Postdoctoral Positions in Education (University of Gothenburg)

Reference number: PAR 2025/215 About the University The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56,000 students and 6,600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future. The University of Gothenburg addresses societal challenges through diverse knowledge and expertise. With 56,000 students and 6,600 employees, the university is a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive educational programmes attract researchers and students from all over the world. Through new knowledge and perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future. About the Department The Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies (IDPP) has approximately 160 employees and is one of the strongest educational research environments in the Nordic countries. At the department, there is a shared interest in developing knowledge that contributes to a more equitable and sustainable society through education and research. Work at the department includes teacher education and research on education, the teaching profession, instruction, and learning, as well as development initiatives relevant to school practice. We also collaborate with individual schools, municipalities, and the Swedish National Agency for Education. At the undergraduate level, the department is responsible for the primary teacher education programme and the supplementary teacher education programme (KPU), and contributes to the subject teacher education programme. We also offer two master’s programmes: one in didactics and an international programme in Education for Sustainable Development. We offer doctoral programmes in educational work and subject-matter education with specialisations. This call for applications is part of the department’s efforts to strengthen its research environments and develop its activities. Research Environments Research at the department is organised into three main research environments: Didactic Classroom Studies focuses on teaching, learning, and the content of these processes, studied as a coherent whole. Phenomenography, Variation Theory, and Learning Study explores questions about how to improve students’ opportunities to learn specific content, based on the assumption that there are certain necessary conditions for learning to take place. This research investigates these conditions and how they can be created in different educational contexts. Critical Education Research examines education as a social and political institution, including studies of knowledge creation, educational reforms, digitalisation, and the teaching profession. The focus is on how the education system addresses issues of education and democracy in relation to societal challenges. Positions The Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies is now announcing up to four full-time salaried doctoral positions in educational work or subject-matter education with specialisations. The positions will be linked to the department’s research environments and preferably to current research projects. Subjects Educational Work is a third-cycle subject that explores various perspectives and aspects of work within educational institutions in society. Research in educational work addresses questions relevant to educational practices, professions, and activities. This includes the conditions under which teachers and students engage in teaching and learning, both in practice and in relation to policy and educational reforms. Subject-Matter Education with Specialisations is a third-cycle subject focused on teaching and learning with an emphasis on specific content, which is often linked to school subjects, academic disciplines, or professional practice. Research in subject-matter education investigates the prerequisites and conditions for teaching and learning, as well as the relationship between the two. Examples of specialisations include mathematics, science, technology, social sciences, languages, Swedish, and sustainable development. Job Duties Doctoral education involves four years of full-time study leading to a PhD degree. The successful candidate will primarily engage in doctoral studies and be affiliated with one of the department’s research environments. The work is mainly based on campus. The position may also include teaching, other research activities, and administration (up to a maximum of 20%). In such cases, the employment period will be extended by an amount of time corresponding to these additional tasks. Eligibility For Educational Work General eligibility: Completed a degree at the second-cycle level, or Completed courses comprising at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level, or Acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. Specific eligibility: A teaching degree at the second-cycle level, or a teaching degree combined with an independent project (degree project) including at least 15 higher education credits at the second-cycle level, or At least 90 higher education credits with a focus on educational practice or work with children and young people, or equivalent, of which at least 30 credits must be at the second-cycle level, including an independent project of at least 15 credits. Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad, may also be considered eligible. For applications in educational work focusing on the subject of Swedish, proficiency in spoken and written Swedish is required. For Subject-Matter Education with Specialisations General eligibility: Same as above for educational work. Specific eligibility: A teaching degree, including courses equivalent to at least 60 credits in a relevant subject-matter educational field, and an independent project of at least 15 credits at the second-cycle level, or At least 90 higher education credits, of which at least 30 are at the second-cycle level, in a relevant subject-matter educational field, including an independent project of at least 15 credits. Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad, may also be considered eligible. For applications focusing on the subject of Swedish within subject-matter education, proficiency in spoken and written Swedish is required. Assessment Criteria Selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral studies, with emphasis on: Quality of the qualifying degree project/thesis. Quality of the submitted research proposal. Additional weight will be given to: Relevance of the proposed dissertation project to the department’s research environments. Background in teaching (preferably in compulsory school, ages 6–15). Applicants with a doctoral degree or close to one will not be prioritised. Employment Details Type: Fixed-term, 4 years of full-time study. Extent: 100%. Location: Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies, University of Gothenburg. Start Date: By agreement. Application Process Applications must include: Cover letter (max 1 A4 page). CV. Academic transcripts verifying eligibility. Thesis/degree project and one additional research-related text. Preliminary research proposal (max 5 pages, excluding references) including: Background and aim Previous research Theoretical framework Methodology References References. Any other relevant qualifications. Documents not available in electronic format should be sent to: Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies Attn: Katarina Grönbäck University of Gothenburg Box 300 SE-405 30 Gothenburg Mark with reference number: PAR 2025/215 Application deadline: 7 January 2026 Contact Information Questions on doctoral studies: Jonas Emanuelsson – jonas.emanuelsson@gu.se Catarina Player-Koro – catarina.player-koro@gu.se Questions on employment: Katarina Grönbäck – katarina.gronback@gu.se The University of Gothenburg promotes equality and diversity. In accordance with Swedish regulations, application documents are archived for two years after the position is filled. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Reference number: PAR 2025/215

About the University

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56,000 students and 6,600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The University of Gothenburg addresses societal challenges through diverse knowledge and expertise. With 56,000 students and 6,600 employees, the university is a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive educational programmes attract researchers and students from all over the world. Through new knowledge and perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future.

About the Department

The Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies (IDPP) has approximately 160 employees and is one of the strongest educational research environments in the Nordic countries. At the department, there is a shared interest in developing knowledge that contributes to a more equitable and sustainable society through education and research. Work at the department includes teacher education and research on education, the teaching profession, instruction, and learning, as well as development initiatives relevant to school practice. We also collaborate with individual schools, municipalities, and the Swedish National Agency for Education.

At the undergraduate level, the department is responsible for the primary teacher education programme and the supplementary teacher education programme (KPU), and contributes to the subject teacher education programme. We also offer two master’s programmes: one in didactics and an international programme in Education for Sustainable Development.

We offer doctoral programmes in educational work and subject-matter education with specialisations. This call for applications is part of the department’s efforts to strengthen its research environments and develop its activities.

Research Environments

Research at the department is organised into three main research environments:

Didactic Classroom Studies focuses on teaching, learning, and the content of these processes, studied as a coherent whole.
Phenomenography, Variation Theory, and Learning Study explores questions about how to improve students’ opportunities to learn specific content, based on the assumption that there are certain necessary conditions for learning to take place. This research investigates these conditions and how they can be created in different educational contexts.
Critical Education Research examines education as a social and political institution, including studies of knowledge creation, educational reforms, digitalisation, and the teaching profession. The focus is on how the education system addresses issues of education and democracy in relation to societal challenges.

Positions

The Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies is now announcing up to four full-time salaried doctoral positions in educational work or subject-matter education with specialisations. The positions will be linked to the department’s research environments and preferably to current research projects.

Subjects

Educational Work is a third-cycle subject that explores various perspectives and aspects of work within educational institutions in society. Research in educational work addresses questions relevant to educational practices, professions, and activities. This includes the conditions under which teachers and students engage in teaching and learning, both in practice and in relation to policy and educational reforms.

Subject-Matter Education with Specialisations is a third-cycle subject focused on teaching and learning with an emphasis on specific content, which is often linked to school subjects, academic disciplines, or professional practice. Research in subject-matter education investigates the prerequisites and conditions for teaching and learning, as well as the relationship between the two. Examples of specialisations include mathematics, science, technology, social sciences, languages, Swedish, and sustainable development.

Job Duties

Doctoral education involves four years of full-time study leading to a PhD degree. The successful candidate will primarily engage in doctoral studies and be affiliated with one of the department’s research environments. The work is mainly based on campus. The position may also include teaching, other research activities, and administration (up to a maximum of 20%). In such cases, the employment period will be extended by an amount of time corresponding to these additional tasks.

Eligibility

For Educational Work

General eligibility:
- Completed a degree at the second-cycle level, or
- Completed courses comprising at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits must be at the second-cycle level, or
- Acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.
Specific eligibility:
- A teaching degree at the second-cycle level, or a teaching degree combined with an independent project (degree project) including at least 15 higher education credits at the second-cycle level, or
- At least 90 higher education credits with a focus on educational practice or work with children and young people, or equivalent, of which at least 30 credits must be at the second-cycle level, including an independent project of at least 15 credits.

Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad, may also be considered eligible.
For applications in educational work focusing on the subject of Swedish, proficiency in spoken and written Swedish is required.

For Subject-Matter Education with Specialisations

General eligibility:
- Same as above for educational work.
Specific eligibility:
- A teaching degree, including courses equivalent to at least 60 credits in a relevant subject-matter educational field, and an independent project of at least 15 credits at the second-cycle level, or
- At least 90 higher education credits, of which at least 30 are at the second-cycle level, in a relevant subject-matter educational field, including an independent project of at least 15 credits.

Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad, may also be considered eligible.
For applications focusing on the subject of Swedish within subject-matter education, proficiency in spoken and written Swedish is required.

Assessment Criteria

Selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral studies, with emphasis on:

Quality of the qualifying degree project/thesis.
Quality of the submitted research proposal.

Additional weight will be given to:

Relevance of the proposed dissertation project to the department’s research environments.
Background in teaching (preferably in compulsory school, ages 6–15).

Applicants with a doctoral degree or close to one will not be prioritised.

Employment Details

Type: Fixed-term, 4 years of full-time study.
Extent: 100%.
Location: Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies, University of Gothenburg.
Start Date: By agreement.

Application Process

Applications must include:

Cover letter (max 1 A4 page).
CV.
Academic transcripts verifying eligibility.
Thesis/degree project and one additional research-related text.
Preliminary research proposal (max 5 pages, excluding references) including:
- Background and aim
- Previous research
- Theoretical framework
- Methodology
- References
References.
Any other relevant qualifications.

Documents not available in electronic format should be sent to:

Department of Pedagogical, Curricular, and Professional Studies
Attn: Katarina Grönbäck
University of Gothenburg
Box 300
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Mark with reference number: PAR 2025/215

Application deadline: 7 January 2026

Contact Information

Questions on doctoral studies:
- Jonas Emanuelsson – jonas.emanuelsson@gu.se
- Catarina Player-Koro – catarina.player-koro@gu.se
Questions on employment:
- Katarina Grönbäck – katarina.gronback@gu.se

The University of Gothenburg promotes equality and diversity. In accordance with Swedish regulations, application documents are archived for two years after the position is filled.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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