Senior Lecturer in Political Science, one or more

Reference number PAR 2024/480

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.

The Department of Political Science is an international academic environment, welcoming students, researchers, and staff from all over the world. Our research focuses on, among other things, elections, public opinion and democracy, political institutions, and international and European politics. We also conduct studies on environmental policy, corruption, and political ideas and organize research seminars and workshops across all these areas. We provide courses at all levels, in both Swedish and English. According to ShanghaiRanking’s 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, the Department of Political Science is the best in Sweden, ranked 5th in Europe, and 16th in the world. In total, around 1,400 people study with us, and we have around 170 employees.

For more information about the Department, visit our website www.pol.gu.se.

The Department of Political Science is now looking for one or more Senior Lecturer in political science to strengthen the department's research and education environment.

Subject area 

Political Science

Subject area description 

Political Science is the study of politics.

Duties 

The position includes teaching and course coordination, as well as student supervision and examination at undergraduate, master's and doctoral level. Teaching within most of the Department's courses and programmes may be required. It is required to teach in Swedish within two years of starting the position. Course and programme development assignments, as well as participation in the Department's pedagogical development work, are also position requirements. 

The position further includes carrying out research and actively applying for external funding for the lecturer’s own research, as well as for doctoral students and postdocs. The post also entails active participation in the Department’s research environments and seminar activities, and in the international research community through conference participation and international publications.

The Department of Political Science actively participates in public debate, and the holder(s) of the advertised position(s) will be expected to initiate cooperation and actively cooperate with external actors and the community at large to promote the practical implementation of produced research. Involvement in leadership, pedagogical, and other assignments within the Department’s, Faculty’s and University’s collegial forums may also be included in the longer term.

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. 

Assessment criteria 

Teaching skills and scientific/scholarly proficiency will be assigned an equal weight in applicant assessment.

Scientific/scholarly qualifications will be evaluated based on scholarly publications, ongoing participation in national and international research collaborations, and documented ability to acquire external research grants. In the assessment of scientific/scholarly qualifications, particular weight will be given to high-quality publications by renowned publishers and in international peer-reviewed journals. The quality and impact of the publications will be assigned greater weight than the total number of publications. Particular weight will also be given to publications written in the last 7 years.

Teaching skills will be assessed based on documented experience of having successfully planned and implemented various teaching activities (lectures, seminars, workshops, distance education, student supervision) at the undergraduate and master’s levels. Experience in teaching and supervision at the doctoral level is meritorious. In the assessment of teaching skills, particular weight will be given to implemented and documented efforts that improved the quality and development of education and/or teaching. Experience in course and/or programme development, authoring of teaching material, or documented pedagogical development in scientific journals or textbooks is meritorious. Applicants must have formal training in teaching and learning in higher education or equivalent verifiable qualifications.

Experience initiating contact and collaborating with and reaching out to external actors and society at large, as well as previous leadership experience and/or experience of participation in collegial forums, is considered a merit.

The applicant who, in the overall assessment of skills and development potential, is deemed to be best suited to carry out the identified job assignments, cooperate with other staff, and contribute to a positive development of the Department’s work will be selected for the post.

Relevant personal circumstances (such as previous time off work and/or studies due to illness, parental leave, military services, and trade union or student organization assignments) will be taken into consideration when assessing an applicant’s qualifications and should, therefore, be backed up with supporting documentation.

As the Department operates in an international environment with a great deal of teaching in English, the position requires very strong oral and written English skills.

Employment 

The position is a full-time (100 %) permanent position with placement at the Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg.

Start date: 1 July 2025, or by agreement

Selection process 

Applications received are first assessed by external experts. In the recruitment process, test lectures, interviews and reference checks may be relevant. In the interviews, you, as an applicant, are given the opportunity to describe and develop your view on the subject and on your possible future role at the institution. These elements will also form the basis of the assessment where applicable.

Contact information 

For more information about the position, please contact Mikael Gilljam, Professor, Head of Department, +46 31 786 12 21, mikael.gilljam@pol.gu.se

Questions about the employment procedure can be directed to Helena Jensen, Human Resources Officer, +46 31 786 26 17, helena.jensen@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.  

We ask you to write your application in English as it may be reviewed by international experts. The recruitment process will probably include trial lectures, interviews, and contact with referees.

Please attach the following to your application:

  1. A résumé/CV, including a complete list of publications and external grants obtained (including the size of the grants).
  2. A description of your scientific qualifications, including:
    a) a select list of your ten best academic publications. Note that external reviewers are instructed to pay particular attention to publications from the last 7 years. State your role in and work done for all co-authored selected publications. Publication certificates for each co-authored publication must be attached and include information about the contribution of each co-author (quantity and substantive contribution). The certificates should be signed by each co-author. If a book or article is accepted for publication but has not yet been published, attach a certificate about the accepted publication.
    b) a description of your scientific merits, profile, and research plans, including why the appointment is of interest and what you believe you can bring to the position (max 3 pages).
  3. Complete electronic copies of your 10 selected publications
  4. A description of your teaching qualifications, including:
    a) an account of your teaching record, with a list of the courses you have designed and taught at undergraduate and graduate levels.
    b) a short description of your teaching merits and qualifications, including information about the extent and quality and a pedagogical self-reflection about your teaching philosophy (max 3 pages)
    c) a description of the production of teaching materials (textbooks and other learning materials)
    d) official transcripts or other verifications of formal training in teaching and learning in higher education
    e) a certificate of your teaching experience from the head of department/director of studies or equivalent from at least one university/department
  5. Electronic copies of teaching materials such as course syllabi, reading lists, examination tasks, lecture PowerPoint slides, and instructions for students (maximum 3 documents). Refer to these documents in your pedagogical self-reflection about your teaching philosophy and teaching practices (4b).
  6. Complete copies of a maximum of three works that are representative of what you have produced in the form of study resources.
  7. An account of your administrative record and qualifications (such as university-wide, college/faculty, departmental and/or research project, administration and administrative leadership).
  8. Other certificates and documents you wish to include.

Scholarly publications, articles, CVs, and the like that are not available in electronic form should be sent to:

University of Gothenburg
Department of Political Science
Attention: Helena Jensen
Box 711
SE-405 30 Göteborg
Sweden

Applications must be received by: 2024-08-29

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.