项目介绍

2026年2月13日

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.

We offer
The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means excellent employment benefits such as wellness time during working hours, compensation for medical visits, a base vacation of 28 days, and an occupational pension. You can read more about our employment benefits here. 

The Department of Cultural Sciences at the University of Gothenburg is a multidisciplinary academic environment encompassing research and education in ethnology, film studies, gender studies, art and visual studies, cultural studies, and musicology. Our research is marked by a broad engagement with cultural expressions, practices, and meanings, approached from historical, aesthetic, and societal perspectives. You can find more information about the department here.

As a doctoral student, you will be part of a wider doctoral cohort that brings together candidates from several disciplines. This provides a stimulating interdisciplinary research community with opportunities for collegial exchange and joint seminars.

The department hosts the national research school FUDEM – The Future of Democracy, a collaboration among several Swedish higher education institutions that supports doctoral projects examining cultural and societal dimensions of contemporary democratic challenges. In addition, the department supervises a range of doctoral projects outside the research school, contributing to a dynamic and diverse doctoral environment.

At the Department of Cultural Sciences, there is a joint academic community for ethnology and cultural studies. We work continuously to develop a profile in which, through both research and teaching, we explore culture in relation to democracy—from global political processes to everyday practices. Within cultural studies, research is conducted that, among other things, examines culture, crisis, and periods of rupture; the role of culture in relation to authoritarian tendencies; processes of urban transformation and spatial inequality; racism in the contemporary public sphere; and a precarious labour market.

Profile
We announce one PhD position in Cultural studies that examine the cultural and aesthetic practices and dimensions of democracy. We invite PhD projects that analyse how democracy is shaped, negotiated, and contested through relations of power, hegemonic formations, and struggles over meaning in cultural and public arenas. Of particular interest are projects that explore how cultural and aesthetical practices open or constrain spaces for political struggle; and how voices are produced, authorized, or silenced in times marked by crisis, transformation, and democratic uncertainty.

University-wide information about what it means to be a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university’s doctoral pages.

Duties
The position entails third-cycle studies amounting to 240 higher education credits, equivalent to four years of full‑time study. As part of the programme, and in accordance with an individual study plan and in collaboration with the supervisors, the doctoral student will formulate and carry out a dissertation project leading to a doctoral thesis, as well as complete the required third-cycle courses. The doctoral student is expected to be an active participant in the research environment and in the daily activities of the department, to be located in Gothenburg, and to participate regularly in departmental activities. The doctoral programme leads to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and may, within the framework of the employment, include departmental duties of up to a maximum of 20 percent of full‑time over the study period, which in turn generates a corresponding extension of the study time. Such departmental duties usually consist of teaching at the first and second cycles, but may also include research and administrative tasks. 

Eligibility
Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totaling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are:

1. 30 higher education credits in subject as a second-cycle subject, at least 15 of which must be from a degree project or equivalent knowledge.
2. the type of language skills in English needed to be able to benefit from compulsory parts of the course and to be able to actively participate in seminars and similar activities.

For further information about the general and specific requirements please refer to the general study syllabus you will find through the following webpage.

Assessment criteria
General rules for doctoral positions are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance.

The written projects (including the project draft) that are included with the application are evaluated based on the following quality criteria:

• Suitable theme for the profile
• Suitable subject demarcation, relevant research question(s)
• Suitable command of the subject and structuring of the thesis
• Suitable use of language, formalities
• Academic quality
• Independence.

In addition to the above, the project draft is also evaluated based on: 

• Feasibility within the scope of a doctoral studentship. 

Admission will also include an interview in addition to a review of qualifications submitted. The final decision is made by the head of department after suggestion from a recruitment committee.  

Admission and employment
Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

Please note, doctoral studies at Department of Cultural Sciences require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the department has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, HF 5 kap 7§
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Cultural Sciences, Gothenburg
First day of employment: By agreement 

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students. The agreement is only available in Swedish, please contact us if you would like to know more. 

Selection process
Selection, interviews, and assessments are conducted by the recruitment group at the department. 

Applicants who will be considered for an online interview are expected to be called in early May.

More information regarding the University’s recruitment process you will find here.

Contact information
For questions about our third-cycle studies please contact Associate head of third cycle studies, Catharina Thörn catharina.thorn@gu.se
For questions regarding the application, recruitment process, or employment conditions, please contact Human resources officer, Gunilla Zachau gunilla.zachau@gu.se 

Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here.    

Application
In order to apply for a doctoral position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The publications that cannot be attached to the application digitally should be sent in two exemplars to: Department of cultural sciences, Gunilla Zachau, P.O.Box 200, SE405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. Provide the case number PAR 2026/167

The application shall be written in English or Swedish, and include:

• a cover letter presenting (i) how the selection criteria has been met; (ii) describing previous experiences of relevance for the project; and (iii) a motivation of the choice to join cultural studies in Gothenburg (max. 2 A4 pages);
• an attested list of qualifications (CV);
• copies of certificates and a transcript of courses with grades;
• a copy of the master thesis (or equivalent), and other relevant publications;
• a research proposal that relates to the overall aim, research questions and framework as defined by the announcement (max. 2,500 words, including references);
• possible previous employment certificates; and
• at least two references that are familiar with the applicant’s qualifications.

Applications must be received by: 26 March 2026.