PhD position in Science didactics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge 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 Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in chemical sciences and molecular life sciences. Our research and education focuses on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes in cells and in the environment.

We address important societal issues such as antibiotic resistance, cancer, brain diseases, environmental problems and climate change. In this way, we contribute to achieving the UN's global goals for sustainable development in the areas of good health and well-being, sustainable energy for all, sustainable cities and communities, and combating climate change.

The department is an international environment with interdisciplinary collaborations in both research and education and contributes strongly to the University of Gothenburg's top ranking in life science.

The department is responsible for postgraduate education in the subject area Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science. In addition, the department hosts educational programs in molecular biology, genomics and systems biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as prescription education. The department collaborates with various societal actors such as schools, business and authorities. The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology has around 200 employees. We are located in central premises both on Campus Johanneberg and on Campus Medicinareberget in Gothenburg.

The PhD position is connected to the ongoing research conducted by Karina Adbo in the field of science education. In a general sense, the research activities serve the purpose of both theory construction and method development. The research endeavor centers around the exploration of learning processes in chemistry and natural science, targeting both pupils and students. The learning processes offered here encompass various aspects, including; the developement of abstarct concepts. Learning pathways and toipc specific content knowledge (TSPCK). The research is conducted across diverse theoretical frameworks, encompassing socio-cultural as well as cognitive perspectives, and utilizing various methods for data collection and analysis. The project is being conducted in close collaboration with research groups, universities, and schools at both national and international levels.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.

The project encompasses the examination of learning processes in upper secondary schools, alongside the utilization of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies for data analysis. Thus, it is imperative that the candidate can provide evidence of their familiarity with these methods, which can be showed through completion of master's level courses or by means of a master's thesis centered on science education. Teacher's qualification and experience as an upper secondary science teacher are important factors for the project.

The doctoral period entails the production and defense of a written thesis that adheres to the University of Gothenburg's thesis guidelines.

In addition to engaging in scientific research, a doctoral student is expected to take part in:

Group-based activities encompassing meetings and literature presentations.

Institutional service if it can be offered.

The degree requires registration in PhD courses amounting to 60 credits.

Present research results at scientific conferences.

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements: A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification,
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must: (i) have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or (ii) have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or (iii) have completed a corresponding program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

Teacher education for natural sciences at upper secondary school level

Practical experience of teaching on upper secondary level

Knowledge and understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Proficiency in theoretical frameworks regarding learning.

Proficiency in both written and spoken English.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg

First day of employment: As soon as possible based on agreement

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, 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 SFS1993:100.

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 third-cycle level for four years.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

In order to apply for a 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.

You must include the following, in PDF format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
• Two references (name, e-mail, telephone number, relation)

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

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.

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:

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.