Senior lecturer in social work

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 Social Work is located at the University of Gothenburg’s Faculty of Social Sciences. We have more than 130 employees, and we offer social work programmes, master’s programmes, family therapy education, other further education and education at third-cycle level. Social work research is carried out within the framework of several profile areas, in an expansive and dynamic environment that is characterised by a strong commitment to society and extensive international contact and cooperation via various networks and with universities around the world.

More information about the department can be found on our website: https://www.gu.se/socialtarbete

We are now looking for one or several senior lecturers in social work who can strengthen the research and education environment.

Subject area 

Social work

Subject area description 

Social work includes studying the living conditions and experiences of people in socially vulnerable situations. Writing and the use of language in different forms and contexts are central to the practice of social work. Social work involves studying the causes and consequences of social problems, as understood at individual, group and societal levels. Social work is the main subject at first-, second- and third-cycle levels.

Duties 

The work duties include teaching, research and collaboration with the surrounding society. The tasks consist mainly of teaching, supervision and examination within the social work programme, but also our programmes at the advanced level, such as the health care curator programme. The teaching includes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that social workers need in their professional practice. The work tasks also include course and programme development assignments and participation in the department's pedagogical development work. Teaching is mainly at first and second cycle level, but teaching at postgraduate level and commissioned programmes may occur. You may be required to teach on most programmes and courses at the department. 

The position also involves fulfilling the administrative tasks associated with a teaching position and eventually being able to participate in and perform various management tasks. It includes active participation in the department's research environments and seminar activities. Since externally funded research is an important prerequisite for the department's and individual teachers' research activities, the duties include actively participating in the department's efforts to find external funding.

Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria for employment as a senior lecturer are listed in Chapter 4, §4 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, and in the Employment arrangements for teaching staff at the University of Gothenburg with local application at the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

Qualified for employment are those who have completed a doctoral degree in social work and have demonstrated pedagogical skills. Applicants must also have completed the higher education pedagogical programme corresponding to the higher education pedagogical courses PIL101, PIL102 and PIL103 at the University of Gothenburg, or have completed it within two years of employment.

Assessment criteria 

When assessing the applicants, equal weight will be given to scientific and teaching skills. Importance will also be attached to administrative and other skills that are relevant to the subject content and duties of the position. 

When assessing scientific skills, publications of high scientific quality will be considered in the first instance. In addition, importance will be attached to the documented ability to initiate, plan and carry out research and the ability to obtain funding for research in competition.

As a senior lecturer in social work, you should be familiar with social work research and practice. Experience of professional social work with clear relevance to the social work programme is therefore highly desirable. Experience of working in the exercise of authority in the social services, and experience of working in the health and medical counsellor's field of work is an advantage. 

Teaching skills must be well documented, which means that both scope and quality can be assessed. Supervision at undergraduate, advanced and postgraduate level is a merit. Applicants must have a good ability to teach in Swedish/Scandinavian language and be able to teach in English. Persons who have not previously mastered a Scandinavian language are expected, within the first two years of employment, to acquire knowledge of Swedish at the level required to perform commonly used tasks in education and administration.

Emphasis is placed on the ability to co-operate, internally and externally, and to participate in the development of the department's educational, project and research activities.

Employment 

This is a permanent position (scope: 100%), based at the Department of Social Work. Probationary employment may be applied. The starting date will be as agreed.

Selection process 

The recruitment process may involve interviews, taking references and test lectures. The interviews will give applicants the opportunity to describe and develop their views on the subject, and on their potential future role at the department.

If you intend to apply, you should read the Employment arrangements for teaching staff at the University of Gothenburg with local application at the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

The Department of Social Work shall continue to develop as an attractive and creative workplace that is characterised by equal conditions, and therefore works actively to achieve gender equality and diversity.

Contact information 

For further information, please contact Therese Wissö, Deputy Head of Department.
+ 46 (0)31 786 6386
therese.wisso@socwork.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. Certifications must be produced to support qualifications that are referred to.

A maximum of ten scientific publications and a maximum of three teaching materials can be referred to. The publications you have referred to must be submitted before the application deadline. Publications that are not available in electronic form must be submitted in duplicate. At least two references must be provided in your application.

The following should be attached to your application:

1. A list of qualifications/CV including a full list of publications and a statement of external funding received (with amounts).
2. A description of your scientific qualifications, including:
   a) A list of max. ten scientific publications.
   State your role and the scope of your work for any selected publications that are co-authored. If an article or a book has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published, a certificate of accepted publication should be attached.
   b) An account of your scientific qualifications, research profile and research plan, with a description of ongoing and planned research, why this position is of interest to you, and what you think you can contribute (max. five pages).
3. Full electronic copies of maximum ten scientific publications.
4. An account of your teaching qualifications, including:
   a) A list of the courses and education programmes you have developed and taught on at first-, second- and third-cycle levels.
   
   b) A description of your teaching experience and qualifications, with information about their scope and quality.
   
   c) A description of teaching materials you have produced (textbooks and other teaching materials).
   
   d) A pedagogical self-reflection on your teaching philosophy and practice (max. 3 pages).
   
   e) Certification of your university teaching education, if available.
   
   f) Certification of your teaching experience from a head of department/director of studies or equivalent from at least one university/department.
5. Full copies of a maximum of three works from any teaching materials you have produced.
6. A report of qualifications within management, administration and cooperation.
7. Any other certificates and documents that you wish to refer to.

Publications that cannot be attached digitally to the application should be sent to:

University of Gothenburg

Department of Social Work

Att. Anna Wettler

Box 720

405 30 Gothenburg

Mark the envelope with the reference number: PAR 2023/880

Applications must be received by: 2023-10-11

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.