Senior lecturer in Child Culture Design

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.

University of Gothenburg is Sweden’s only university with practice-based research spanning the fields of design, visual art, film and photography, as well as crafts, literary composition, curatorial practice, and teacher education in the artistic disciplines.

The Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts comprises the departments HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design and the Academy of Music and Drama. The Faculty also hosts the international publishing platform and biennial conference PARSE (Platform for Artistic Research Sweden), which aims to bring interdisciplinary artistic practices and researchers into dialogue.

HDK-Valand’s research environment values a broad and inclusive concept of research in which knowledge is produced through established research formats, experimental artistic practice, and education. Our research addresses environmental, societal, and cultural challenges through engagement in cross-disciplinary projects. Four research themes centred on politics, environment, economy, and materiality constitute the core areas of interest at HDK-Valand; they also facilitate collaboration among different subjects and stakeholders and provide a broad foundation for both research and teaching. An overarching goal is to develop a complete academic environment.

The Faculty’s vision

Given the challenges facing society today, education and research within the artistic field are more important than ever. One of the strengths of art is its ability to generate perspectives and critical tools, as well as meaning and hope. The Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts plays a leading role in matters relating to art, culture, and learning, and in creativity and innovation in a broader sense. We are a locally grounded, globally oriented place for art, knowledge production, critique, visions, and transformation. Art and culture are for everyone, and we serve as a meeting place for cultural practitioners, cultural institutions, the creative industries, and civil society at large. Our aim is to be a house with many entrances—and even more exits.

HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design conducts research and education in design, film, photography, fine art, crafts, and literary composition. We also educate teachers in artistic subjects. We offer highly specialised programmes in an outward-looking and international environment. Our unique breadth of disciplines provides students and staff with opportunities to work with a wide range of artistic approaches and to explore new forms of practice and research.

HDK-Valand is now recruiting a Senior Lecturer in Design with a specialisation in Child Culture Design. You will be part of the Design Unit. You can read more about HDK-Valand here: HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design, University of Gothenburg

Subject area 

Child Culture Design

Subject area description 

HDK and the subject of Design

HDK-Valand’s design education currently comprises four programmes: the bachelor’s programme in Design at first-cycle level, and the master’s programmes Child Culture Design (CCD), Embedded Design (EmDes), and Design MFA at second-cycle level. HDK-Valand conducts design research, within the framework of national and international collaborations, and also offers doctoral education in the subject of Design. We also provide a number of standalone design courses.

At HDK-Valand, the subject of Design encompasses a dialogue between practice-based, theoretical, and societal questions relating to design. We focus on design as an artistic, formative practice that relates to various social, cultural, economic, and technological contexts—both in contemporary society and historically.

Our point of departure is the holistic view of design activity and artistic competence that characterises our education and research. This is an approach that is independent of design specialisation and areas of artistic practice

Child Culture Design

Child Culture Design is an educational programme with a focus on children’s perspectives and design. The programme is grounded in interdisciplinary learning where theoretical and practical knowledge interact, with children as the central point of departure. The field of Child Culture Design is continuously expanding—both in terms of knowledge development and demand—nationally and internationally. The programme highlights children’s and young people’s participation and influence, with particular attention to play, learning, development, culture, and health—and not least to the tools and artefacts that enable play.

An important element of the Child Culture Design approach is that students engage with research and knowledge across disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, and education. This knowledge is then applied in design projects. Child Culture Design is a distinctive area at HDK-Valand, where the relationship between social-scientific and artistic forms of knowledge is examined through the lens of children’s perspectives, development, and their active role and participation in society. The visual, material and practical aspects of design hold a prominent place in the programme. We work in a process-oriented manner with the human being at the centre.

Duties 

As a Senior Lecturer in Child Culture Design, you will contribute through planning, teaching, supervision, administration, research, and various forms of development work. The work is carried out in dialogue with colleagues. The language of instruction at first-cycle level is Swedish, and at second-cycle level English.

The role as Senior Lecturer in Child Culture Design includes delivering lectures, leading seminars and discussions, liaising with and inviting guest lecturers, formulating assignments, and supporting students through both written tasks and practical projects.

In addition to practice-oriented courses, the Child Culture Design curriculum includes the development of a multidisciplinary knowledge platform, built through focused lectures, seminars, and literature studies in parallel with practical project work. You are also expected to take an active role in the team working with the modules “Design Studies” and “Design Research”, which are offered jointly across all second-cycle design programmes. Duties within the department and the faculty may also be included in the position.

Responsibilities and tasks may change over time.

Professional development is included as part of the employment in accordance with the University of Gothenburg’s working-time agreement for teaching staff. 

Distance education may be conducted in accordance with the University of Gothenburg’s regulations.

Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg. 

To be eligible for appointment as a senior lecturer, other than within disciplines in the fine, applied or performing arts, the applicant is required to have demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a PhD or has the corresponding research competence or some other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the post and the duties that it will involve. 

A doctoral degree in a relevant subject is a requirement for this position. The position also requires experience of teaching at higher-education level and good proficiency in English. 

Assessment criteria 

Scientific expertise

•  Documented scholarly expertise, for example through publications relevant to the subject are.
• Documented experience of developing research projects within the subject area
• Documented experience of leading projects related to child culture; collaboration with external stakeholders is considered a merit.
• Visibility and recognition in professional contexts
• Documented practice relevant to the subject area, preferably with a particular focus on play, the tools of play, and children’s development

Teaching expertise

• Documented experience of teaching and educational work at higher-education level
• Documented ability to communicate subject knowledge in a clear and engaging manner

Other assessment criteria

• Documented proficiency in English, both spoken and written

Applicants who have not previously completed the university’s courses in teaching and learning in higher education (or equivalent) are expected to do so within two years of appointment.

As knowledge of Swedish is often a prerequisite for collegial collaboration, teachers, researchers, and doctoral students who do not have good proficiency in Swedish will be offered the opportunity to learn the language.

Priority will be given to the applicant who, based on an overall assessment of documented merits, competence, and expertise, is deemed to have the best prerequisites for carrying out the duties in question and contributing to the positive development of the activities.

Considerable weight will be given to personal suitability.

Employment 

Type of employment: permanent position, a probationary period may be applied.
Scope of employment: 50% (part-time)
Placement: The Design Unit at HDK-Valand in Gothenburg
Start date: August 2026 or date according to agreement 

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Head of Department Klara Björk, klara.bjork@gu.se  

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Maria Krång, personaladministratör, hr@hdk-valand.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. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.  

Publications that cannot be attached to the application in digital format should be sent to:

HDK-Valand
HR
Box 131
40530 Gothenburg 

and should be received no later than deadline for application. 

 

Applications must be received by: 2026-03-17

 

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.