Postdoctoral Position in Social Work (University of Gothenburg)

Reference number PAR 2024/784 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. PhD student in Social Work 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. Doctoral position in Social Work. The Department of Social Work is at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gothenburg. The Department offers expansive and dynamic research characterised by a high level of social commitment and contacts with universities around the world. The Department, which has over 120 employees, of which 34 are doctoral students, also offers programmes at first, second and third cycle, with social work as the main subject for the Social Work Programme at second cycle in family therapy education and credentialling education for social workers, as well as other continuing professional development. Social work as a research discipline is concerned with the living conditions of vulnerable individuals and groups, social interventions, social policy measures and social processes. Our research is conducted within the framework of a number of research areas that include studies of social problems, their causes and consequences for individuals, groups and society, and all our researchers and doctoral students are active on one or other of the Department’s research platforms. General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages. www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies Duties During the programme, the doctoral student is expected to plan and carry out a thesis part and a course part, with compulsory and elective third-cycle courses in accordance with both a general curriculum and an individual study plan. During the period as a doctoral student, the thesis will be presented and discussed on at least three seminar occasions. The programme ends with the doctoral student’s public defence of their thesis. Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.  As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration. Eligibility Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject. The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are: having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. Specific entry requirements: To gain admission to third-cycle education in social work requires the following additional qualifications: Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work, 210 credits, as well as at least 60 credits at second-cycle level, which must include a scholarly work of at least 15 credits, or have acquired knowledge that satisfies the above-mentioned requirements in some other manner. Assessment Criteria Selection among applicants who meet basic and special eligibility requirements is based on the ability to assimilate the education at postgraduate level. The department’s ability to offer academic supervision, in based on the applicant’s preliminary research focus, as well as to provide a good research environment for the planned dissertation work is also considered. The assessment will consider the research plan submitted with the application, previous academic papers and other works, as well as other educational and research merits. Based on this, an assessment will be made of the relevance of the project to the subject of social work, as well as the ability of the applicant to benefit from third-cycle education. The assessment of the application is primarily based on the applicant’s ability to formulate, delimit and analyse research material, and present the research results. Experience of professional social work is considered a useful qualification. Interviews are part of the selection process. We welcome applications in the research that focus on one or more of the research areas of addiction and dependence, the elderly, and/or preventive social work. In the case of otherwise equal merits among applicants, applications with one of these research areas will be prioritized. The applications are assessed and ranked by a special assessment group at the Department of Social Work. The Head of the Department makes the final admission decision, and it cannot be appealed. Places in this educational programme can also be given to applicants who are employed by another employer who will be financing the applicant’s studies. These students are known as collaboration doctoral students (SWE: Samverkansdoktorand) and are subject to the same admissions criteria as other applicants. A separate agreement will be signed by the employer and the Department. The provisions governing doctoral student employment can be found in Ordinance 1998:80. Only persons who have gained admission to third-cycle (doctoral) education may be appointed to these positions. Employment After being admitted to doctoral education, you will receive a PhD position at the University of Gothenburg. Regulations for employment as a PhD student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. The first PhD position may be for a maximum of one year and may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. A PhD student may be employed as a PhD student for a maximum of eight years, but the total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. Other The third-cycle courses given by the Department are primarily conducted in Swedish, as are seminars. A good knowledge of English is also important in order to be able to benefit from this third-cycle programme in its entirety. Read more about this programme in the General Curriculum for Third-Cycle Education in Social Work (SWE: Allmänna studieplanen för utbildning på forskarnivå i socialt arbete) that can be found at: https://www.gu.se/en/socwork/doctoral-studies/about-doctoral-studies Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University of Gothenburg. Contact Information Sofia Vales, PhD education administrator, +46 31 786 15 21, sofia.vales@socwork.gu.se Frida Petersson, Deputy Head of Department for Research and Doctoral Education, +46 31 786 63 83, 0766-18 63 83, frida.petersson@socwork.gu.se Lisa Wallin, PhD student, lisa.wallin@socwork.gu.se Department website: https://www.gu.se/en/socwork Unions Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position Application You apply for admission to third-cycle studies via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal by clicking on the button marked ‘Ansök’ (Apply). Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete as described in the advertisement and sent to the University no later than the application deadline. A complete application must include the following A cover letter of not more than 500 words (about one page). This letter should contain (a) a short presentation of yourself, (b) a short presentation of your qualifications and (c) a short presentation of your research project. A CV, including a list of qualifications with substantiating documents, as well as a list of publications. Academic papers and independent projects, as well as other relevant works. A research plan of no more than three pages. The research plan should indicate the research domain that the applicant wishes to study, with relevant research questions, justify its relevance, and discuss the theories, methods and materials which may be used. The plan must show possible areas of focus for the applicant’s dissertation-related work and serve as a basis for assessing the applicant’s ability to identify interesting research questions and deal with relevant methodological considerations in relation to the project planned. Please use the headings ‘Description of the Problem/Problem Area’, ‘Purpose’, ‘Justification of the Relevance of the Research Domain’, and ‘Theories, Methods and Materials’. Certified copies of diplomas and proof of specific entry requirements. Description and proof of relevant qualifications, such as participation in research, assessment and similar development work. Documents, certificates, publications, and the like that are not in electronic form should be sent to: University of Gothenburg The Department of Social Work Att: Sofia Vales Box 720 405 30 Gothenburg Sweden State reference number PAR 2024/784 The application must be received no later than: 2025-02-06 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. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

Reference number PAR 2024/784

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.

PhD student in Social Work

Doctoral position in Social Work.

The Department of Social Work is at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gothenburg. The Department offers expansive and dynamic research characterised by a high level of social commitment and contacts with universities around the world. The Department, which has over 120 employees, of which 34 are doctoral students, also offers programmes at first, second and third cycle, with social work as the main subject for the Social Work Programme at second cycle in family therapy education and credentialling education for social workers, as well as other continuing professional development.

Social work as a research discipline is concerned with the living conditions of vulnerable individuals and groups, social interventions, social policy measures and social processes. Our research is conducted within the framework of a number of research areas that include studies of social problems, their causes and consequences for individuals, groups and society, and all our researchers and doctoral students are active on one or other of the Department’s research platforms.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.

www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties

During the programme, the doctoral student is expected to plan and carry out a thesis part and a course part, with compulsory and elective third-cycle courses in accordance with both a general curriculum and an individual study plan. During the period as a doctoral student, the thesis will be presented and discussed on at least three seminar occasions. The programme ends with the doctoral student’s public defence of their thesis.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree. 

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements:

To gain admission to third-cycle education in social work requires the following additional qualifications:

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work, 210 credits, as well as at least 60 credits at second-cycle level, which must include a scholarly work of at least 15 credits, or have acquired knowledge that satisfies the above-mentioned requirements in some other manner.

Assessment Criteria

Selection among applicants who meet basic and special eligibility requirements is based on the ability to assimilate the education at postgraduate level.

The department’s ability to offer academic supervision, in based on the applicant’s preliminary research focus, as well as to provide a good research environment for the planned dissertation work is also considered.

The assessment will consider the research plan submitted with the application, previous academic papers and other works, as well as other educational and research merits. Based on this, an assessment will be made of the relevance of the project to the subject of social work, as well as the ability of the applicant to benefit from third-cycle education.

The assessment of the application is primarily based on the applicant’s ability to formulate, delimit and analyse research material, and present the research results. Experience of professional social work is considered a useful qualification. Interviews are part of the selection process.

We welcome applications in the research that focus on one or more of the research areas of addiction and dependence, the elderly, and/or preventive social work. In the case of otherwise equal merits among applicants, applications with one of these research areas will be prioritized.

The applications are assessed and ranked by a special assessment group at the Department of Social Work. The Head of the Department makes the final admission decision, and it cannot be appealed.

Places in this educational programme can also be given to applicants who are employed by another employer who will be financing the applicant’s studies. These students are known as collaboration doctoral students (SWE: Samverkansdoktorand) and are subject to the same admissions criteria as other applicants. A separate agreement will be signed by the employer and the Department.

The provisions governing doctoral student employment can be found in Ordinance 1998:80. Only persons who have gained admission to third-cycle (doctoral) education may be appointed to these positions.

Employment

After being admitted to doctoral education, you will receive a PhD position at the University of Gothenburg.

Regulations for employment as a PhD student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

The first PhD position may be for a maximum of one year and may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

A PhD student may be employed as a PhD student for a maximum of eight years, but the total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years.

Other

The third-cycle courses given by the Department are primarily conducted in Swedish, as are seminars. A good knowledge of English is also important in order to be able to benefit from this third-cycle programme in its entirety.

Read more about this programme in the General Curriculum for Third-Cycle Education in Social Work (SWE: Allmänna studieplanen för utbildning på forskarnivå i socialt arbete) that can be found at: https://www.gu.se/en/socwork/doctoral-studies/about-doctoral-studies

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University of Gothenburg.

Contact Information

Sofia Vales, PhD education administrator, +46 31 786 15 21, sofia.vales@socwork.gu.se

Frida Petersson, Deputy Head of Department for Research and Doctoral Education, +46 31 786 63 83, 0766-18 63 83, frida.petersson@socwork.gu.se

Lisa Wallin, PhD student, lisa.wallin@socwork.gu.se

Department website: https://www.gu.se/en/socwork

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:

https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position

Application

You apply for admission to third-cycle studies via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal by clicking on the button marked ‘Ansök’ (Apply). Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete as described in the advertisement and sent to the University no later than the application deadline.

A complete application must include the following

A cover letter of not more than 500 words (about one page). This letter should contain (a) a short presentation of yourself, (b) a short presentation of your qualifications and (c) a short presentation of your research project.
A CV, including a list of qualifications with substantiating documents, as well as a list of publications.
Academic papers and independent projects, as well as other relevant works.
A research plan of no more than three pages.
The research plan should indicate the research domain that the applicant wishes to study, with relevant research questions, justify its relevance, and discuss the theories, methods and materials which may be used. The plan must show possible areas of focus for the applicant’s dissertation-related work and serve as a basis for assessing the applicant’s ability to identify interesting research questions and deal with relevant methodological considerations in relation to the project planned. Please use the headings ‘Description of the Problem/Problem Area’, ‘Purpose’, ‘Justification of the Relevance of the Research Domain’, and ‘Theories, Methods and Materials’.
Certified copies of diplomas and proof of specific entry requirements.
Description and proof of relevant qualifications, such as participation in research, assessment and similar development work.

Documents, certificates, publications, and the like that are not in electronic form should be sent to:

University of Gothenburg
The Department of Social Work
Att: Sofia Vales
Box 720
405 30 Gothenburg
Sweden
State reference number PAR 2024/784

The application must be received no later than: 2025-02-06

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.

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

Apply

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