One position as PhD-student in Human Geography

Reference number PAR 2024/383

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 Economy and Society, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg announces one (1) PhD-position in Human Geography. The Department conducts education and research within three areas; Human Geography, Economic History, and Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management of Intellectual Asset. The different subjects within the Department create possibilities for interdisciplinary education and research.

In Human Geography societal processes are studied from a spatial perspective, globally and locally, as well as at individual and household levels. This includes human’s interaction with the surrounding environment, as well as how activities and places develop in relation to the world around. The research at the unit focuses the following thematic areas: Landscape & Planning, Development Geography, and Mobility, Communication & Transport Geography. The Human Geography Unit (HGU) offers education at Bachelor and Master level. Several of the courses are part of educational programs at the University of Gothenburg. For further information please click here.  

Duties   

The PhD-student will work in accordance with an individual study plan and in collaboration with supervisor/s, to formulate and carry out a PhD-project and complete PhD-courses. The student is expected to be active in the research environment and the daily activities. The Unit encourages and supports, given availability of funds, that parts of the training is carried out at another University, preferably abroad. This specific position requires involvement in teaching at a level of 20% annually. The main teaching responsibilities will initially consist of tutoring in GIS courses and gradually to encompass various teaching formats and topics. As a consequence, the PhD education will take 5 years in total. More information about the doctoral training at the Department of Economy and Society can be found here.

Eligibility

Access to third-cycle (PhD)education requires general entry requirements and specific entry requirements set out in the general syllabus for the subject of Human Geography.

The general entry requirements for third-cycle education are met by those who:

  1. has taken a degree at second cycle level,
  2. completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at second-cycle level, or
  3. acquired equivalent knowledge in another way within or outside the country.

In addition, special entry requirements for third-cycle education in Human Geography are met by those who have passed courses of 90 higher education credits in human geography/geography, of which at least 15 higher education credits consist of a second-cycle degree project in human geography or a closely related discipline.

Assessment

Eligible applicants will be assessed based on their estimated ability to finish the study program according to plan. To be selected, applicants must show a high ability to work independently. Good oral and written communication skills in English and Swedish (or other Scandinavian languages) are also required. More specifically, the assessment focuses on documented qualifications regarding:

  • Experience of qualified research and other investigation work.
  • Publications and/or theses at BA and MA levels.
  • Education of particular relevance, beyond what gives general and specific eligibility. Of specific value for this call is experience from GIS teaching or tutoring.
  • Developing a research plan (relevance, processing of information and own ideas).

Interviews will be held with short-listed candidates. 

Admission requires that supervision competence and capacity is available for the planned PhD project. It is therefore an advantage if the applicant’s research plan is related to one or more of the research themes at the Human Geography Unit, see here. 

Application   

Please attach the following in the application:

  • Cover letter: One page with a motivation for interest in applying for your PhD-studies. 
  • CV: Maximum 2 pages summarizing education, relevant work experience, language proficiency and other relevant skills. 
  • Transcripts of grades achieved in MA, BA, MPhil, and certified copies of diplomas.
  • Master’s thesis, academic publications and/or other relevant works.
  • References: Maximum of 2 from academic/thesis supervisors.
  • Research proposal (max 2000 words) presenting ideas of how the applicant envisions that his/her PhD-work will contribute to the research community. The research proposal should suggest a research problem and also include: 
  • purpose, aim(s), research questions;
  • tentative ideas on theory, research design, methods, and data;
  • preliminary timeplan
  • reference list (APA).

Please state your Swedish social security number in the application, preferably in the CV. If you do not have a Swedish social security number, please provide your birthdate: YEAR-MM-DD. Also clearly state the reference number to this recruitment case.

Applicants who finish their thesis after the deadline but before early June are still able to apply. The selection committee may request supplementary information (e.g., Masters theses completed after the application deadline) from shortlisted candidates.

Application deadline: 2024-05-10

Employment   

The position is full time, temporary for five years according to the Higher Education Ordinance. The employment is located at the Department of Economy and Society. First day of employment is 2024-09-01 or upon agreement. Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for education on a doctorial level are given in SFS 1993:100.

Departmental work such as education, research or administrative assignments will be included (see above under Duties for this specific call). A new employment is valid for maximum one year. The employment extends annually. The university applies a local agreement regarding setting of wage rates for PhD-students.  

Contacts 

Jerry Olsson, Head of Research Education jerry.olsson@geography.gu.se  

Anders Larsson, Head of Unit anders.larsson@geography.gu.se  

Union representatives 

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

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

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.