Doctoral studentship in Slavic languages with a specialisation in Slavic medieval studies

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 53 500 students and 6 500 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Languages and Literatures (SPL) is the Faculty of Humanities’ largest department with around 120 employees, 15 of whom are doctoral students, and around 1200 full-time equivalent students. For more information about the Department, go to: https://www.gu.se/en/languages.

Research in African languages involves primarily the description and theoretical analysis of linguistic structures in Bantu languages, but also Cushitic languages. In Latin, research is conducted within various chronological periods and focuses on linguistics, philology, epigraphy, literary studies, scientific Latin, Neo-Latin etc. Research conducted in Slavic languages specialising in Slavic medieval studies includes both linguistics and textual criticism studies of medieval texts.

The advertised doctoral studentship(s) will be part of a broad and dynamic research environment, where research is conducted in languages and literatures based on a broad cultural contextualisation and a broad spectrum of theoretical foundations and applications. The Department has four major research areas: Literary studies, Language in Society, Languages and Learning, and Linguistic Structures and also the FokusRom and Bernhard Karlgren Seminar Series.

Duties

A doctoral student is to spend their time on their doctoral studies in accordance with the general syllabus for the subject area in which they are admitted. The ultimate goal of the study programme is a Degree of Doctor. The doctoral student carries out research and is expected to contribute to the development of knowledge within the subject area. This includes developing their own ideas and communicating research results both orally and in writing. The doctoral student is required to develop the knowledge and skills needed to be able to conduct independent research in the subject area through the production of a scholarly thesis. The doctoral studentship also aims to develop the doctoral student’s ability to utilise their acquired research skills and knowledge in future research projects or other qualified professional work.

As a doctoral student, you are expected to be physically present at the workplace and interact actively with others in the doctoral education environment. This includes active participation in subject area and other research seminars at the Department. In addition to your third-cycle study programme, a maximum of 20 per cent department duties (e.g. teaching) is included in the position, which will extend the doctoral studentship proportionately. The working language of the Department is Swedish and, if required, the University can offer introductory courses in the Swedish language.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for admission to doctoral studies, the applicant must meet the general entry requirements according to Sweden’s Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 7 Section 39) and the specific entry requirements. A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

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 at second-cycle level, or
3. Has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

For specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in the subject area, see the general syllabus:https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/internt-hum/forskarniva/studieplaner/?languageId=100001.

How you satisfy both the general and specific entry requirements must be clearly stated in your application.

The applicant must also have good knowledge of English and the languages relevant conducting the selected research project.

Selection criteria

The selection is made from among those applicants who fulfil the general and specific entry requirements and is based on the assessed ability of the student to benefit from third-cycle courses and study programmes. The selection criteria for the third-cycle subject area are described in the general syllabus (https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/internt-hum/forskarniva/studieplaner/?languageId=100001).

The selection takes into account in particular the applicant’s ability to independently benefit from third-cycle studies, the quality of the submitted research papers, and the project plan.

Appointment

Start date: 1 September 2022. The position is limited to four years full-time. The provisions governing doctoral studentships can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1998:80). Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle courses and study programmes may be appointed to doctoral studentships. Department duties, such as teaching, may be part of the position up to 20 per cent of full-time determined in relation to the entire study period. Where such duties are included, the doctoral studentship is extended proportionally.

The University applies local agreements when setting the salaries of doctoral students.

Appointment process

The appointment process is in two stages:

• Selection on the basis of submitted documentation.
• A shortlist of candidates are invited to an interview and a short oral presentation of their research project.

The availability of a suitable supervisor is taken into account. Referees may be contacted.

Please note that decisions on employment as a doctoral student cannot be appealed.

Application

Your application should include:
– A personal letter written in Swedish or English. The letter should state why you wish to pursue doctoral studies in the subject area, how your project can contribute to the Department’s research profile, and what expectations you have of the Department’s research environment. The maximum length of this text is 3000 characters (including spaces).

– CV containing contact details, your education, work experience and other relevant qualifications.

– Degree certificate and Official Transcript of Records from Ladok, or equivalent, of completed courses. The certificates must show that you fulfil the general entry requirements as well as the specific entry requirements or equivalent in accordance with the general syllabus for the third-cycle subject area you are applying for (https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/internt-hum/forskarniva/studieplaner/?languageId=100001). Foreign degree certificates must be submitted in both their original version and an authorized/certified translation into English.

– A project plan where you describe your project by formulating the project’s purpose and justifying this purpose, formulating the problem, describing the material to be used and your project’s relationship to previous research, and by discussing which theories and methods might be used. The project plan must include a schedule. The text may be written in Swedish or English. The maximum length of this description is 20,000 characters including spaces, notes, and references.

– Publications (Master’s thesis and any other publications, no more than 5). Any publications beyond those submitted may be listed separately.

Your application must have been received by no later than 8 February 2022. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the University at the latest by the deadline for applications.

Additional information

Submit your application electronically via the recruitment portal. (See https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply).

For information about third-cycle studies, see: https://www.gu.se/en/languages/doctoral-studies.

An information meeting on doctoral studentship appointments will be held in English via Zoom on 28 January 2022, 1 PM to 3 PM. At this meeting, third-cycle studies at our Department will be presented and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Contact details for the advertisement

Linda K. Hammarfelt, Assistant Head of Department for doctoral education Linda.Karlsson.Hammarfelt@sprak.gu.se

Human Resources Officer personalhandlaggare@sprak.gu.se

Unions or professional associations

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

Information

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services

https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.
Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.
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.