Postdoctoral fellow in Educational Work with a focus on Aesthetic Subjects

Umeå Universitet; Umeå kommun; On-site; SEK 331,162 - 496,743; Full time

Job summary

Umeå Universitet in Sweden is seeking a postdoctoral fellow in Educational Work with a focus on Aesthetic Subjects. The position is part of the Career Programme for researchers with a recently obtained doctoral degree in Educational Sciences. Responsibilities include research, community engagement, collaboration, and teaching up to 20%.

The role requires strong communication skills in English and a relevant doctoral degree, with a full-time commitment for two years. Applications must be submitted in Swedish or English by 12 August 2026.

Qualifications

• Completed or in progress a doctoral degree in Educational Work or equivalent.
• Priority given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree within three years.
• Must not have been employed as a postdoctoral fellow at Umeå University for more than one year.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in educational work focusing on aesthetic subjects.
• Publish research, engage with the community, and organize seminars.
• Teach up to 20% of the curriculum at various academic levels.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills in English

Capacity for collaboration

Research expertise

Education

Doctoral degree in Educational Work or a relevant subject

Job description

Postdoctoral fellow in Educational Work with a focus on Aesthetic Subjects

Umeå University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Umeå University’s Department of Creative Studies invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow position focused on the aesthetic subjects of Visual Arts, Music, and Sloyd. This role is part of the Career Programme for researchers who have recently obtained their doctoral degree in Educational Sciences.

Job description

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will independently conduct research in educational work with a focus on one or more of the aesthetic subjects. Responsibilities include publishing, engaging with the community, initiating collaborations within the department, organizing seminars, attending staff meetings, and teaching up to 20% of the curriculum at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

The position is full‑time, fixed‑term for two years, with a start date no later than January 2027.

Qualifications

• Completed or in progress a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in Educational Work or a relevant subject, not later than the employment decision.
• Eligibility is given priority to candidates who completed their doctoral degree no later than three years before the application deadline; special reasons such as illness, parental leave, military service or similar circumstances may be considered.
• Applicants must not have been employed as a postdoctoral fellow at Umeå University for more than one year within the same or an equivalent discipline.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, and optionally in Swedish or another Scandinavian language.
• Demonstrated capacity for collaboration and a solid research record. Primary importance given to research expertise.

Selection criteria

• Research merits of the applicant.
• Originality and feasibility of the outlined project.
• Fit of the proposed project with the research environment at the Department of Creative Studies and the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration.

Application procedure

The application must include a cover letter (2–3 pages) explaining the interest in the position and outlining qualifications, a research plan (3–5 pages) demonstrating the originality, feasibility and relevance of the project, a list of publications, copies of the doctoral degree certificate and other relevant degrees, and contact information for two referees.

Applications must be submitted in Swedish or English in Word or PDF format via the Varbi recruitment system no later than 12 August 2026.

Benefits and working conditions

Fixed‑term contract for two years, full time (100% FTE), monthly salary (in accordance with funding), and a high level of on‑site presence required.

Contact

• Stina Wikberg, Head of Department, [phone], [e-mail]
• Per-Åke Rosvall, Deputy Head of Department, [phone], [e-mail]
• Anneli Taflin, HR‑Coordinator, [phone], [e-mail]

Equal employment opportunity

Umeå University is committed to an equal environment and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.