Assistant Professor in Political Science, one or more
University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognized, world-class research is combined with an open and collaborative academic culture. Here, researchers at the beginning of their careers have the opportunity to develop, build international networks, and contribute to research of global significance. This position is part of the university's initiative, University of Gothenburg Global Scholars Initiative. Read more about the initiative and University of Gothenburg here: https://www.gu.se/node/190161/
The Department of Political Science is an international academic environment that welcomes students, researchers, and staff from all over the world. Our research concerns topics such as political institutions, elections, opinion and democracy, international and European politics, environmental politics, corruption, and political ideas. The Department of Political Science at University of Gothenburg is ranked as the leading one in Sweden and one of the top 10-15 in Europe within its subject area, according to the 2024 global Shanghai Ranking of Academic Subjects. We organize a large number of research seminars and workshops annually within the department's various research areas. We offer education at all levels in both Swedish and English. A total of around 1,400 people study with us, and we have approximately 160 employees. More information about the department can be found on our website https://www.gu.se/statsvetenskap
Duties The duties include research corresponding to at least 50 percent of full-time. The Assistant Professor is free to choose research questions, develop theoretical ideas, collect data, and choose research methods. It includes actively seeking external funding for their own research and actively participating in the department's research environments and seminar activities. Active participation in the international research community through attendance at conferences and international publishing is also expected. The duties also include teaching, course responsibility, supervision, and examination in courses at undergraduate and advanced levels, possibly also within doctoral-level education, corresponding to at least 30 percent of full-time. Teaching in most programs and courses at the department may be required. The duties also include course and program development as well as participation in the department's pedagogical development work. The Department of Political Science is active in public debate, and the duties include initiating engagement and actively engaging with society at large and working towards the utilization of produced research. Management assignments, pedagogical assignments, and other assignments within the department's, faculty's, and university's collegial forums may, in the long term, become part of the duties.
Qualifications Qualifications for employment as an Assistant Professor are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance and the University of Gothenburg's employment regulations. Those qualified to be employed as an Assistant Professor are those who have obtained a doctoral degree within the subject area of the employment or have equivalent scientific competence. Primarily, consideration should be given to those who have obtained a doctoral degree or have reached equivalent competence at most seven years before the application deadline for the position as Assistant Professor has passed. However, those who have obtained a doctoral degree or have achieved equivalent competence earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, or other similar circumstances. The reasons, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and substantiated with certificates. The ability to teach in English is a requirement.
Assessment Criteria Assessment criteria for employment as an Assistant Professor are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance and the University of Gothenburg's employment regulations. We are looking for you who have documented ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area of the employment. The assessment is based primarily on scientific skill, and secondarily on pedagogical skill. Thirdly, the ability for engagement and administrative skill are weighted.
Scientific skill Scientific skill is demonstrated through scientific publishing and ongoing participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific skill, particular weight is placed on high-quality publishing with renowned international publishers and in renowned international journals with a peer review system. The quality, originality, and impact of the publications are given greater weight than the total number of publications. Great importance is also placed on the ability to obtain external research funding through competition.
Pedagogical skill Pedagogical skill is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and conducted teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at undergraduate, advanced, and/or doctoral levels within the subject area. In the assessment of pedagogical skill, particular weight is placed on implemented and documented efforts that have contributed to developing the education and teaching and improved quality.
Engagement with society and administrative skill Skill in engagement with society is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop already initiated engagement or the ability to establish new engagement between academia and relevant societal actors, as well as communicating your research results to the public. Administrative skill refers to experience in academic leadership, for example, coordination of research or educational activities, as well as contributions to the development of the department or faculty.
Overall assessment An Assistant Professorship is a qualifying position aimed at relatively recently graduated researchers and teachers. The employment will be offered to the applicant who, after an overall assessment of skill and development potential, is deemed suitable and has the best conditions to carry out the duties included in the employment, engage and collaborate with other staff, and contribute to a positive development of the operations. Long-term experience from academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.
Employment Form of employment: Fixed-term for under 5 years
Extent: 100 %
Placement: Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg
Commencement: According to agreement
Application must be received no later than: 30 October 2026