Assistant Professor in Archaeology, with a specialization in the Nordic Iron Age

The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.

This position is part of the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.

The position of Assistant Professor in Archaeology, with a specialization in the Nordic Iron Age, is based at the Department of Historical Studies, which is part of the Faculty of Humanities. The Department conducts research in the fields of History, Archaeology, and Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. Teaching in these disciplines is offered at all levels, from undergraduate courses to doctoral education. In addition, undergraduate teaching is provided within the main field of Cultural Heritage Studies.

The Department’s current educational mission comprises more than 730 full-time students. Research is carried out both within the individual disciplines and through larger interdisciplinary projects, where national and international collaboration forms an important component.

Today, the Department employs nearly 100 researchers, teachers, doctoral students, and support staff. The Department is centrally located in Gothenburg.

Subject area

Archaeology with a specialization in the Nordic Iron Age.

Subject area description

This position specializes in the Nordic Iron Age, that is, the period from approximately 500 BCE to 1050 CE. This era constitutes a strategic link within the Department’s research profile, connecting two strong areas of expertise: on the one hand, Stone and Bronze Age archaeology, and on the other, Medieval History. More information about the Department and the subject of Archaeology is available on our website: https://www.gu.se/historiska-studier.

Duties

The duties include research, teaching, and external engagement, as well as related administrative tasks. The position is primarily to be carried out on site at the University of Gothenburg, and the successful candidate is therefore expected to be physically present at the Department.

The primary responsibility is to conduct and develop research in Archaeology with a specialization in the Nordic Iron Age. The successful candidate is expected to develop an independent research profile, actively seek external research funding, and contribute to the development of the Department’s research environment through national and international collaborations. In addition, the successful candidate is expected to engage in course development within the subject area.

The duties also include teaching and supervision in Archaeology at the undergraduate and master's levels and, depending on qualifications and the needs of the Department, at the doctoral level. Teaching may encompass both chronological and thematic courses in Archaeology and may be conducted in Swedish and English.

In addition, the position includes participation in the Department’s shared responsibilities and engagement with the wider community, for example through collaboration with the cultural heritage sector, museums, and other relevant societal stakeholders.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in subject or has the corresponding research competence. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an associate senior lecturer. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates

Ability to teach in Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) and English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area of the position.

Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise, secondly on teaching expertise, and thirdly on collaborative and administrative competence. Great importance will also be placed on personal suitability and strong collaborative skills.

Research expertise

Research expertise is demonstrated through scholarly publications and current participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is placed on high-quality publications with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The quality, originality, and impact of publications are given greater emphasis than the total number of publications. The ability to obtain external research funding in competition is highly meritorious.

Chronologically, the primary focus should be on the first millennium CE. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a critical and independent engagement with the current state of research. We also value expertise that facilitates collaboration with our strong research environments in Bronze Age and Medieval studies, particularly the latter. Extensive experience from academic institutions outside Sweden will be regarded as a strong asset.

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and/or doctoral level within the subject area of the position. When assessing teaching expertise, special emphasis is placed on documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality. Experience in leading and organizing archaeological field courses is also considered a merit, as is teaching experience relevant to the main field of Cultural Heritage Studies.

Collaboration with the community at large and Administrative Competence

Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public.

Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, such as coordinating research or educational activities, as well as contributing to the development of the department or faculty.

Overall Assessment

The position will be offered to the candidate who is assessed to have the best prospects for carrying out the duties required in the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of activities based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for five years
Extent: Full-time (100%)
Location:Department of Historical Studies, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Starting date: By agreement

An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer.

The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor is entitled to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in the same subject area as the Assistant Professorship, provided that the individual is qualified for such an appointment and is deemed suitable following an assessment based on the established criteria for promotion to Senior Lecturer. For more information, please visit the Faculty of Humanities' webpage: https://www.gu.se/en/humanities/about-us/application-for-position

Moving to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents

Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg  

Other information

At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.

To support a healthy work–life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: Employment benefits | University of Gothenburg

If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

Selection process

Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment. As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Head of Department Henrik Janson at henrik.janson@history.gu.se.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR officer Johanna Hagbranth at johanna.hagbranth@gu.se.

Unions

Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.

Applications

You apply for the position through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline.

Please submit your application in English, as it will be reviewed by external reviewers whose working language is English.

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

The application must include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a complete list of publications and an account of external research funding obtained (including amounts awarded).
2. Research plan. The plan should clearly relate to the research area of the position and should be developed to a level that would support at least one competitive application for external research funding.
3. A description of your research qualifications, including: 
   a) A list of your five most significant scholarly publications. For co-authored publications, please specify your role and the extent of your contribution. For all co-authored publications, co-author statements must be provided. These statements should describe each author's contribution, both quantitatively and substantively, and must be signed by all co-authors. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published, documentation verifying its acceptance must be enclosed. 
   b) A concise account of your research achievements, research profile, and research plans for the coming years. (Maximum 3 pages.)
4. Complete electronic copies of up to ten of your most significant scholarly publications.
5. A description of your teaching qualifications, including:
   a) A list of the courses and study programmes you have developed and taught, including courses and programmes at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. The documentation should indicate the scope of your contributions.
   b) A concise account of your teaching merits and qualifications, addressing both their extent and quality, including a reflection on your teaching practice. (Maximum 3 pages.)
   c) Certificates documenting completed training in higher education pedagogy.
   d) Certificates verifying your teaching experience, issued by a Head of Department, Director of Studies, or equivalent representative at at least one university or department.
   e) Any pedagogical writings and publications (maximum 3 items).
6. Electronic copies of teaching materials, such as syllabi, reading lists, examination assignments, lecture slides, and student instructions (maximum 3 items). Please refer to these documents in your account of teaching merits and qualifications.
7. Doctoral degree certificate (PhD diploma).
8. Any additional certificates or documents that you wish to submit in support of your application.

Scholarly publications, written works, CVs, and similar materials that are not available in electronic format should be sent to:

Department of Historical Studies
Attn: HR
Box 200
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Sweden

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.