At least two Assistant Professors at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Umeå universitet wants to give the next generation of research leaders the best conditions to build groundbreaking research through the initiative Umeå University Northern Star Fellows. In a university-wide initiative, we offer 10 early-career researchers the opportunity to develop long-term research activities over six years and qualify for promotion to Associate Professor. All calls within the initiative can be found at: https://www.umu.se/northern-star/northern-star-fellows/

Read more about the Umeå University Northern Star Programme, a brand-new excellence program to strengthen quality and international competitiveness in research. https://www.umu.se/northern-star/

About the workplace

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Umeå universitet consists of 17 departments and units where we conduct research and education of high international quality with a focus on current and future challenges in society. The faculty's researchers contribute to knowledge development in areas such as democracy and peace, welfare, education, health, growth, environment and sustainability, gender, digitalization and the societal impact of AI. Through strong research environments and interdisciplinary perspectives, the faculty develops an in-depth understanding of social structures, societal changes, and conditions for a sustainable future. The employment offers the opportunity to develop an independent research profile in an environment where scientific quality, international relevance, and societal significance are central.

Subject area

Subject area relevant to the Faculty of Social Sciences. Departments and units are listed here: https://www.umu.se/samhallsvetenskaplig-fakultet/forskning/forskargrupper/

Main duties

The purpose of the employment is to develop one's independence as a researcher and to qualify both scientifically and pedagogically to meet the eligibility requirements for promotion to Associate Professor. The duties include actively contributing to the continued development of the research environment within one's research area and applying for external research funding for one's research activities. Teaching at undergraduate and advanced levels and supervision of doctoral students are also included.

The employment is fixed-term for six years, full-time, and consists of at least 70 percent independent research and the remaining time of pedagogical or other qualification activities.

The place of work is Umeå, and we expect a high presence and active participation in the department's activities.

Eligibility requirements

Those who have obtained a doctoral degree or have equivalent scientific competence are eligible to be employed as an Assistant Professor. 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 of 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, Chapter 4, Section 4a of the Higher Education Ordinance.

The doctoral degree or equivalent scientific competence must have been obtained within a subject area relevant to the faculty.

Very good knowledge of English, both oral and written, is a requirement for the employment.

Assessment criteria and the weighting between them

As a basis for assessment when employing an Assistant Professor, the degree of such skill that is a requirement for eligibility for the employment applies.

When assessing candidates, the degree of scientific skill shall be decisive. In addition, the degree of pedagogical and other skill shall be considered during the assessment.

When assessing scientific skill, special weight shall be attached to the ability to independently conduct and publish high-quality research within one's research area, as well as contributions to the international scientific community. Special weight shall also be attached to experience in leading research and successfully obtaining research funding in competition with others. Great weight shall be attached to the quality of publications where the applicant has been the lead author.

When assessing pedagogical skill, special weight shall be attached to experience in teaching and supervision.

When assessing other skills, special weight shall be attached to international mobility, e.g., research stays, experience from a postdoctoral stay, or employment at another institution than the one where the applicant obtained their doctorate. Great weight shall be attached to established collaborations within and outside academia.

A general prerequisite for all teacher categories is both good collaborative ability, as well as the competence and suitability in general required to perform the duties well.

Other information about the employment

The employment includes a resource package to build one's own research group. It includes funding for a doctoral student as well as operating funds.

Applicants who, at the time of employment, do not speak Swedish are expected to learn basic Swedish within three years from the first day of employment.

Application

Please follow the instructions carefully. All application documents must consist of the following documents and be written in English:

Personal letter Application form Copies of relevant degree certificates Copies of cited scientific works Copies of specifically cited pedagogical works

Eligibility requirements and assessment criteria can be found in the Regulations for Appointments of Teachers at Umeå universitet, which you can find here: https://www.umu.se/globalassets/fristaende-webbar/regelverk/personal-lika-villkor-och-arbetsmiljo/anstallningsordning-for-larare-vid-umea-universitet-fs-1.1--1022-25.pdf

The Faculty of Social Sciences' instructions regarding application for and expert assessment of employment as an Assistant Professor can be found here: https://www.umu.se/globalassets/anvisning-vid-ansokan-om-och-sakkunnigbedomning-av-anstallning-som-bitr-universitetslektor-7-ar.pdf

In the recruitment process, an interview, a teaching demonstration, and reference checks may be required.

See the full advertisement here: https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb/

Welcome with your application!