Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Psychiatry with a focus on neurobiological and cognitive processes

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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.

Build your independent research career at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in a supportive, well-resourced environment. You will benefit from academic freedom, strong core facilities, powerful research networks, and excellent opportunities to turn your research ideas into innovation and entrepreneurship within a vibrant life science community. Combined with a secure position and a high quality of life in Gothenburg, this is a place where both your research and career can grow.

At the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, extensive research and education are conducted across wide areas of knowledge – from molecule to human. The department comprises five sections: Pharmacology, Physiology, Health and Rehabilitation, Clinical Neuroscience, and Psychiatry and Neurochemistry.

The position is based at the Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, where research and education are conducted at the interface between clinical and preclinical neuroscience. The overarching goal of the research group is to increase knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying affective disorders and how these relate to the clinical presentation. The aim is to identify biomarkers that can improve diagnostic assessment, predict treatment response and side effects, and contribute to more individualized psychiatric care.

Subject area 

Psychiatry with a focus on neurobiological and cognitive processes 

Subject area description 

The subject encompasses research and teaching in psychiatry, with a focus on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, with particular emphasis on brain imaging as well as cognitive and functional outcomes. 

Duties 

The duties include conducting research in psychiatry with a focus on neurobiological mechanisms. The position also involves actively seeking external research funding in order to establish an independent line of research, as well as developing research collaborations within and beyond the department at both national and international levels.

The duties further include teaching at undergraduate level within the medical programme and in training programmes for specialist trainees in psychiatry, where the applicant’s professional experience is to be applied in relevant teaching contexts. Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students is also included. Teaching is conducted in Swedish and English.

The position also includes a certain amount of administrative work related to research and teaching, as well as active participation in the department’s collaboration and outreach activities.

An employee who lacks higher education pedagogical training is expected to complete such training within one year of starting the position.

For promotion, the applicant is required to have acquired proficiency in Swedish, both written and spoken, at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), no later than six months before the expiry of the employment as Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor). The University of Gothenburg will provide Swedish language courses, which are mandatory as part of the employment.

Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

A person qualified for appointment as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) is a person who has been awarded a PhD in psychiatry, psychology, or neuroscience or has the corresponding research expertise. Primary consideration should be given to a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor). However, a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reasons for the absence, its dates, and its extent must be clearly specified in the application and supported by appropriate documentation.

The ability to teach in Swedish or English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria 

The assessment criteria for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

In the assessment, scientific merit will be given the primary weight. Pedagogical, clinical and administrative merit will be weighted secondarily.

In the assessment of scientific merit, particular emphasis will be placed on documented ability to conduct independent research within biological and translational psychiatry, clinical neuroscience, or related fields. Further consideration will be given to experience with quantitative research methods relevant to psychiatric research, such as neurobiological, psychological, or clinical data materials, as well as the ability to obtain external research funding in a competitive environment through national and international collaborations.

In the assessment of pedagogical merit, particular emphasis will be placed on a strong ability to supervise degree projects and students at undergraduate and doctoral levels, as well as a strong ability to teach and examine at undergraduate and doctoral levels within the subject area. Demonstrated experience of pedagogical development work and course responsibility will also be given weight in the appointment. Pedagogical competence must be well documented in a manner that allows the quality of the educational activities to be assessed.

In the assessment of administrative merit, experience of academic leadership is important, as well as the ability to collaborate and engage in cooperation both within academia and with the surrounding society.

In the assessment of previous clinical experience involving work with patients with psychiatric disorders, prior clinical experience in psychiatry is considered particularly meritorious.

Completion of a postdoctoral period at an institution other than the university where the applicant completed their doctoral education is considered a merit.

Personal suitability and collaborative ability will be given significant weight.

Employment 

Fixed-term employment for 5 years, full-time (100%). Placement at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology. Starting date as agreed.

The position as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) is a fixed-term employment and is defined as a qualifying (career-development) position at the University of Gothenburg. The purpose of the appointment is to provide the appointee with the opportunity to develop independence as a researcher and to build qualifications in both research and teaching in order to meet the eligibility requirements for appointment as Senior Lecturer. The appointment may be renewed, for a maximum total period of two years, if additional time is required to achieve the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other similar circumstances. The requirements for promotion to Senior Lecturer are set out in the assessment criteria adopted by the Faculty Board of the Sahlgrenska Academy.

Other information

If the applicant does not have formal university pedagogical training at the University of Gothenburg, the applicant is expected to have completed university pedagogical training or acquired equivalent knowledge within one year of the employment date. The assessment of such university pedagogical merits shall be conducted in a special order in accordance with the decision of the Vice-Chancellor.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a procured relocation package as well as a procured tax consultation / Global Mobility service.

Contact information 

Professor / Deputy Head of Section Mikael Landén, tel: +46-702 082 304 email: mikael.landen@neuro.gu.se

Professor / Head of Section Henrik Zetterberg, tel: +46 768 672 647, email: henrik.zetterberg@clinchem.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande 

Application

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applications must follow the layout of the recommendations for the Guidelines for application to teaching position (applications).pdf

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application. Please note in particular that the following documents (in swedish or english) must accompany the application:

• Doctoral degree
• A maximum of 10 selected scientific publications that the applicant want to refer to (in full text)
• Research plan/Research programme
• Other certificates /proof /rating proving applicant's qualifications

Any documents that are not available in electronic format should be sent to:

University of Gothenburg
The Sahlgrenska Academy
Box 400
405 30 Göteborg
SWEDEN

The reference number of the application, PAR 2026/114, should be clearly stated when mailing complementary documents.

The application is to be written in English.

Applications must be received by: 2026-03-16

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of any announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Information for International Applicants 

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 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.