Senior Lecturer in Public Administration with focus on Organisation and Management

Reference number PAR 2026/296

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.

The School of Public Administration conducts education, research and collaboration in the field of public administration. Its educational programmes include bachelor’s and master’s programmes, doctoral studies and contract education. Research and education in the multidisciplinary field of public administration focus on politics, democracy and policy; public finance; financial management and auditing; organisation and management; and legal perspectives on public administration. The School of Public Administration is also responsible for courses on the Pre-school Teacher program and the Headteacher programme. Research focuses on public administration, its function and its societal context.

For more information about what our lecturers and researchers teach, research and publish, please visit https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/hitta-person

Subject area 

Public Administration

Subject area description 

Public administration is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on areas such as politics, democracy and policy; public finance, financial management and auditing; organisation and management; and legal perspectives on public administration.

Duties 

The duties of the advertised senior lecturer position in public administration focus on teaching and research in the field of organisation and management.

Teaching is primarily expected to take place on the department’s bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Public Administration, at Bachelor’s level on courses such as Förvaltningens organisering (The Organisation of Public Administration) and Organisatoriska förutsättningar (Organisational Conditions), and at Master’s level on courses such as Organisation och omvärld ( Organisation and Environment) and Ledarskap inom offentliga organisationer (Leadership and Public Management). Teaching at postgraduate level and in commissioned education may also occur.

Teaching takes place primarily in the form of lectures, seminars and workshops, as well as supervision, although other forms of teaching may also occur. Course coordination, assessment and examination are included in the post. Teaching is conducted mainly in Swedish, but some teaching in English may occur.

The post includes independent research, and the applicant is expected to actively contribute to strengthening the research environment in the field of organisation and management, including by taking responsibility for research projects and research applications, participating in national and international conferences, and producing high-quality academic publications.

Other duties, such as personal professional development, collegial responsibility and collaboration with the wider community, are also part of the role of a senior lecturer. Administrative duties may also be included.

The applicant is expected to actively participate in the development of the department’s activities on site in Gothenburg.

Further information on the duties of a senior lecturer can be found in the Local Working Hours Agreement for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg (ref. no. PA 2021/2991).

Eligibility 

To be eligible for appointment as a senior lecturer in public administration, the applicant must have obtained a doctoral degree in public administration, or in another subject area relevant to the post, such as business administration, sociology, social anthropology or ethnology, and have demonstrated teaching competence.

Eligibility for appointment as a lecturer is set out in Chapter 4, Sections 3–4 of the Higher Education Ordinance, as well as in the Faculty of Social Sciences’ application of these provisions and in the Regulations for the Appointment of Lecturers at the University of Gothenburg (GU 2024/1687).

A very good command of Swedish, both spoken and written, is a prerequisite and requirement for the post.

Assessment criteria 

In accordance with the Regulations for the Appointment of Teachers at the University of Gothenburg and the Faculty of Social Sciences’ local application (GU 2025/1103), the applicant to be selected is the one who, following a comprehensive assessment of competence and development potential, is deemed to have the best prospects of carrying out the duties included in the post. Merit assessment is carried out only among eligible applicants.

When assessing the applicants’ merits, equal weight shall be given to scientific and pedagogical competence.

Scientific competence is demonstrated through academic publications and participation in national and international research collaborations, as well as the ability to secure research funding. All high-quality academic publications in the field of public administration (or equivalent) are regarded as merits, but articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and academic monographs carry the most weight. Publications in the field of organisation and management are particularly meritorious.

Teaching competence is demonstrated through documented and recognised experience of planning and delivering teaching in various forms, such as course coordination, lectures, workshops, supervision, in the subject of public administration (or equivalent) at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. When assessing teaching skills, particular emphasis is placed on completed and documented initiatives that have contributed to the development of education and teaching and improved quality. Teaching experience in the field of organisation and management is particularly meritorious. In addition, authoring teaching materials is also advantageous.

When assessing merits relating to the university’s collaborative role with the wider community, participation in commissioned education and the execution of high-level assignments for public sector organisations (government agencies) are particularly advantageous. Networking activities in collaboration with public sector actors and a documented ability to communicate research are also advantageous.

Furthermore, the assessment takes into account the degree of administrative competence and the ability to develop and lead activities and staff at the university. Great importance is attached to personal suitability (such as responsibility, independence, ability to collaborate and communication skills) as well as the applicant’s intention and ability to actively participate in the academic environment of the School of Public Administration in Gothenburg.

Applicants must also have completed higher education teaching training equivalent to the University of Gothenburg’s qualifying courses in higher education teaching (PIL 101, PIL 102 and PIL 103), or have had prior training validated, or complete it within one year of the date of appointment.

Employment 

One or more.

The post is a full-time, permanent position based at the School of Public Administration.

Selection process 

Applications received will first be assessed by external experts. The selection process may include trial lectures, interviews and reference checks. During the interviews, applicants will be given the opportunity to describe and elaborate on their own views on teaching, research and collaboration within the field of public administration, with a focus on organisation and management, as well as their future role in the department. Where applicable, these elements will also form the basis for the assessment.

Contact information 

Further information regarding the post is available from the Head of Department, Vicki Johansson, vicki.johansson@spa.gu.se.

Questions regarding the recruitment process may be directed to Maria Utterhall, HR Officer, maria.utterhall@spa.gu.se.

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#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

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 digitally should be sent to: School of Public Administration, PO Box 712, 405 30 Gothenburg

You must attach the following to your application:

  1. A personal statement explaining why you are applying for the post, including a brief description of how you can contribute to the future development of teaching and research in public administration within the field of organisation and management, as well as an account of your ability to actively participate in the development of the department’s activities in Gothenburg.
  2. A curriculum vitae (CV) (including a full list of publications and a list of external research funding received, specifying project names, funding bodies and amounts, as well as other relevant qualifications).
  3. A description of your academic qualifications, including an account of your research profile and a research plan including a description (max. 2 pages) of ongoing and planned research.
  4. A maximum of ten academic publications, together with a list of these works showing details of co-authorship (certificates of co-authored publications must be attached).
  5. A description of your teaching qualifications, including an account of your teaching profile, and a description of current and planned teaching and educational activities (max. 2 pages).
  6. A list of the courses and degree programmes in which you have participated as a teacher (divided into undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as commissioned education), together with certificates/references for teaching experience from a head of department/director of studies or equivalent at least one higher education institution.
  7. Certificate of your higher education teaching training.
  8. A maximum of ten educational publications/teaching materials, together with a list of these showing details of co-authorship (certificates of co-authored publications must be attached).
  9. A statement of your merits regarding collaboration with the wider community and your administrative experience and qualifications.
  10. Certificates of employment, transcripts and degree certificates, and, where applicable, other certificates and documents you wish to submit.
  11. Two references with contact details.

Applications must be received by: 5 August, 2026

 

  

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.