Two Doctoral Positions In Religious Studies

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 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 Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion is one of the six departments of the Faculty of Humanities. It has about 100 employees (of which about 20 are doctoral students) and approximately 1,000 students. For more information about the Department see: https: // www. gu.se/en/literature- history-of-ideas-religion

At the University of Gothenburg, research in Religious Studies is conducted in five different specializations: Biblical Studies (Old and New Testament Exegetics), History of Christianity (Church History, Missiology and Practical Theology), Religious Behavioral Science (Sociology of Religion and Psychology of Religion), History of Religion, and Systematic Theology (Dogmatics, Ethics and Philosophy of Religion). Research in our department comprises critical studies of the function of religion, its transformation and interpretation in history and today, and analysis of religious practices, texts, and arguments. Religious Studies provides insights into historical and contemporary processes, religious encounters and conflicts, analysis and interpretation of texts and ideas, as well as theological and ethical positions and debates. These skills are increasingly relevant to the multireligious and multicultural society of our times. On current research areas and projects, see further: https: // www. gu.se/en/literature-history-of- ideas-religion/religious-studies-and-theology

Job assignments

Third-cycle study programmes include coursework, with each course being examined as it is completed, and the doctoral student's own research project, which leads to a scholarly thesis.

The goal of doctoral education is for the doctoral student to develop the knowledge and skills to be able to conduct original and independent research in Religious Studies, and to contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline through the production of a scholarly thesis. The doctoral student is expected to communicate scientific findings in both oral and written form. Another aim is to develop the ability to apply the acquired knowledge and skills within post-degree research or other qualified professional work.

Doctoral students are expected to be physically present at the department and to actively participate in both environments, including doctoral and research seminars. The working language of the department is Swedish (though some activities and research seminars may be conducted in English), and admittance requires sufficient knowledge of Swedish and English to be able to benefit from compulsory course components and to participate actively in seminars and the like (on eligibility, see below). The dissertation may be written in English or Swedish, alternatively in Norwegian or Danish.

General syllabus

The objectives, content, and examination of the study programme as well as admission and selection for the third-cycle study programme in Religious Studies are described in the general syllabus: https: // www. gu.se/en/humanities/doctoral-studies/general-syllabus-for-third- cycle-study-programmes

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position, the applicant must meet both general and specific entry requirements.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 7 Section 39, applicants meet the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if they:

have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or

have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or

have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

To be admitted to doctoral education in Religious Studies, in addition to general entry requirements, the following is required:

at least 30 higher education credits (30 ECTS) in Religious Studies awarded in the second cycle, of which at least 15 credits must be from a degree project, or equivalent knowledge, and

sufficient Swedish and English skills to be able to benefit from compulsory course components and to participate actively in seminars and similar activities.

Assessment

Selection among applicants who meet the requirements for general and specific eligibility is based on the ability to successfully complete the education at the doctoral level.

Recruitment and selection are also done in view of the research project's potential to enter into productive dialogue with the ongoing research at the department, as well as the department's supervision resources to support it.

Appointment procedure

The decision on admission is made by the Head of Department after preparation at the Department.

The appointment procedure involves two stages:

A shortlist is made based on material included in the application.

The shortlisted candidates will be called to an interview and a 15 minute's oral presentation of the applicant's project on November 27, 2024. As far as possible, the interviews and the presentations are carried out on Campus, but for international students the opportunity to participate on Zoom will also be offered.

Employment

Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1993:100. Only those who are admitted to third-cycle studies may be appointed to doctoral positions. Those appointed to doctoral positions will primarily devote themselves to their studies. The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. The total employment period may not exceed the time corresponding to full-time studies for four years. The position may include departmental duties, such as teaching or administration, corresponding to up to 20% of a full-time post over the course of study. If such tasks are carried out, the duration of the appointment will be extended accordingly.

Type of employment: 4 years Extent: 100 % Location: The Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion, University of Gothenburg First day of employment: 2025-02-01

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated by a local agreement at the University.

Contact information for the post

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

Gunilla Hermansson, Deputy Head of Department with specific responsibility for Doctoral Studies, [email protected]

Jong Ho, HR officer, [email protected]

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https: // www. gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. 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.

Please enclose the following documents and information with the application :

A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to the position and reflect on the progress which you consider can be traced in your degree projects. If it is evident from the certificates that it took you a very long time to complete the degree projects, you may wish to comment on this fact. This text may not exceed 3,000 characters (including blank spaces), and it may be written in Swedish or English.

A CV containing contact information, education, work experience, publications (if any), and other relevant records (if any).

Degree projects (from second cycle) that meet the specific entry requirements. If relevant, other essays and/or publications that substantiate the eligibility or strengthen the qualifications for the position should also be submitted. You may submit up to five texts in addition to the degree projects. All submitted texts will be assessed primarily based on the following criteria: originality and scholarly relevance, difficulty of the topic addressed, and precision in the use of methods and the overall presentation of the work.

Degree certificates and/or a certificate of enrolment from Ladok, or equivalent system, specifying your completed coursework. The certificates must demonstrate that you meet the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies as well as the specific entry requirements specified in the programme syllabus. Grades are assessed based on the following criteria: breadth of education, demonstrated ability to complete courses within given time frames and qualitative progression. Apart from submitting certificates, the applicant must, where relevant, motivate how the qualifications are equivalent to the general and specific requirements.

A description of your intended thesis project. This description should identify the purpose and aim of the project, the problem(s) addressed, material that will be used, and how the project relates to previous research. The project draft should also include a discussion on relevant theories and methods. The research plan will be assessed based on the following criteria: originality, scholarly relevance and rigor, and feasibility. The draft can include a preliminary outline or list of different phases and components of the thesis project, as well as a general timetable for the project. The draft may not exceed 20,000 characters (including blank spaces, notes and references).

Incomplete applications (lacking project description, a degree project, or degree certificates) will not be assessed.

The Department invites to an information meeting, where it will be possible to ask questions, on the 22 August 2024, 15:00–17:00 on Zoom: https: // gu- se.zoom.us/j/64208169508?pwd=2SDxtOQbXF1iIZzoNUu4WfQPVy14Y.1

Meeting-ID: 642 0816 9508 Password: 602722

Applications must be received by: 2024-09-13

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.