Two PhD positions in Curriculum Studies (focused on teaching and learning) Full-time

Two PhD Positions in Curriculum Studies (Focused on Teaching and Learning)

Are you interested in working with research about teaching and learning (didaktik) with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University.

The Department of Education (EDU) provides research and study programmes at doctoral, undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as commissioned education, in the research subjects Curriculum Studies, Education, and Sociology of Education. At EDU there are several Master programmes. EDU has around 250 employees, of which 175 are teachers/researchers, 45 are doctoral students and 30 are administrators. More information about the department is available at https://www.uu.se/en/department/education.

The position focuses on research in teaching and learning. The subject of curriculum studies (didaktik) is deeply rooted in both scientific traditions and teaching practices. The research questions that constitute the core of curriculum studies emerge at the intersection of specific subject matter, grade levels, and the teaching and learning of that subject matter. It is therefore of interest to study, for example, the content of the teaching and what justifies the selection of that content, who the teaching is aimed at, the learning process works, how the subject-material is handled in the teaching and who has power over the selection process.

Duties: For this PhD position applicants are welcome to submit project plans that investigate Curriculum Studies issues (from pre-school to higher education) relating to research areas that are represented at the Department of Education. This research considers for instance studies on teaching and learning in preschool as well as teaching and learning in mathematics, mother tongue, science and social studies at different school levels. The research includes studies on teaching traditions, sustainable development in teaching practices, comparative studies within teaching and learning, aspects of children's language practices such as reading and writing and second language development. For more detailed information on these areas see https://www.uu.se/en/department/education/research/curriculum-studies.

The full-time employment will be on a temporary basis for a period of four years and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). Departmental duties (typically teaching and administration) at a level of at most 20 percent may be included in the position, in which case the employment period will be extended beyond the four years. PhD students are expected to study full-time, spend most of their working hours in Uppsala and actively participate in the department's activities.

Requirements: A general eligibility of 240 ECTS credits is required, 60 of which are obtained at advanced level, corresponding to four years' full-time university studies. 90 credits should have direct relevance for curriculum studies. An applicant may also be considered qualified if s/he has acquired the corresponding competence in other ways. Language skills in Swedish are not a requirement for employment, but the candidate is expected to learn Swedish. A good command of written and oral English language is required. For further information on the requirements for general and special eligibility for studies in the field of Curriculum Studies see contacts below.

Applications should include completed and signed application form, the relevant theses (bachelor's and master's theses or equivalent), a short CV stating research interests, a draft thesis plan, any publications and other relevant papers and documents that the applicant wishes to invoke. The draft thesis plan of no more than 5 pages should take up issues relevant to the proposed research topics, the discipline-related context, earlier research, the nature of the empirical data needed for the study and its methodology, as well as reflections on the relevance of the thesis project.

All documents submitted with the application should be in Swedish or English. If scientific texts that the applicant wishes to invoke are not available in any of these two languages, they can be submitted in French, German and Spanish but without any guarantee that they will be considered in the evaluation of the applications.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's guidelines for doctoral studies; https://www.uu.se/en/staff/organisation-and-governance/regulations/guidelines-for-doctoral-studies-at-uppsala-university.

See also the curriculum regulating third-cycle education in Curriculum studies, including the required qualifications, at https://www.uu.se/download/18.773af7981919740a5cc20c58/1725370771578/ASP didaktik rev 1 juni 23 (1).pdf

The post-graduate training is regulated by the Faculty of Educational Sciences in “Procedures for the Admission to Doctoral Studies”, “Continuation of Employment”, Prolongation of Employment” and “Procedures for the PhD Student's Individual Study Plan”. For more information see https://www.uu.se/medarbetare/fakultet/utbildningsvetenskaper/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/riktlinjer

A doctoral student may be employed for maximum eight years, however the length (or duration) of the employment may not exceed the equivalent to full-time doctoral studies of four years.

About the employment: The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Salary according to local agreement for PhD students. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2026‑09‑01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the positions, please contact: Director of studies for post-graduate education in curriculum studies: Maria Rasmusson, maria.rasmusson@edu.uu.se, phone +46 18 471 2433. Deputy head Eva Lundqvist, eva.lundqvist@edu.uu.se.

In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. The answers will be used as a part of the selection process.

Please submit your application by 2 April 2026, UFV-PA 2026/397.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/.

The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.