Postdoctoral Students in Sociology

University of Gothenburg

Project: “Navigating policy clashes and conceptual confusion in the area of Return to Work”
Reference Number: PAR 2026/282
University: University of Gothenburg

About the University

The University of Gothenburg addresses society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. With 58,000 students and 6,800 employees, the University is a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and educational programs attract researchers and students from around the world, contributing to a better future.

Department

The Department of Sociology and Work Science has approximately 120 employees, including academic staff, researchers, doctoral students, and administrative personnel.

The department conducts research, education, and collaboration across diverse topics such as:

  • Labor market and working life
  • Social deviance
  • Digitalization
  • Emotions, gender, and migration
  • Environmental issues and social movements
  • Governance, organization, science, and technology
  • Welfare

The department offers courses in sociology, work science, human resource management, criminology, and social psychology, and plays a major role in several of the University’s educational programs, including teacher education. It also collaborates with public and private partners through initiatives such as the Centre for Global Human Resource Management (CGHRM).

General information about doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties

The department seeks a doctoral candidate in sociology within the project “Navigating policy clashes and conceptual confusion in the area of Return to Work.”

Project Overview:

  • Connected to the University of Gothenburg Center for Interdisciplinary Return-to-Work Studies in Primary Care (UGot ReWork), funded by Forte.
  • Focus on sustainable return to work, especially after sickness absence due to common mental disorders (stress, depression, anxiety) or musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Provides an interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative research environment hosted by the Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy.

Project Aims:

  1. Examine how the concept of work capacity is defined, interpreted, and understood by Swedish authorities using document analysis.
  2. Examine how policy is interpreted and translated into practice within the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, including how institutional norms influence this translation process, using case studies.

Doctoral Student Responsibilities:

  • Develop independent research questions within the project framework.
  • Collect and analyze qualitative data, including document analysis, interviews, and ethnographic observations.
  • Collaborate with supervisors and project members.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary seminars and exchanges with other doctoral students at UGot ReWork.
  • Acquire knowledge and skills for independent research, contributing to a scholarly thesis.

Duration: Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study leading to a doctoral degree.

Eligibility

General Requirements:

  • Completed a second-cycle degree (Master’s or equivalent, 240 credits total, 60 at second-cycle level) or equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Specific Requirements for Sociology:

  • Master’s degree in sociology or equivalent knowledge.

Assessment Criteria

Applicants are assessed based on their ability to assimilate doctoral studies and submit the following:

  • Academic Works:
    • Theses, degree projects, or other relevant works (maximum two).
    • Evaluated for research problem formulation, methodology, analysis, and academic quality.
  • Project Proposal (max 2000 words):
    • State research interests and planned focus.
    • Assessed for scientific relevance, formulation of research questions, familiarity with previous research, and feasibility.
    • Thematically or methodologically linked works/publications are advantageous.

Other Expectations:

  • Strong motivation, ability to work independently, and meet deadlines.
  • Good cooperation and communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Swedish and English (CEFR B2 or equivalent).

Letters of recommendation will not be considered but may be included as references.

Admission and Employment

  • Admission to doctoral studies is required before employment as a doctoral student.
  • Employment provisions: SFS 1993:100.
  • Initial employment may be up to one year, renewable up to two years at a time.
  • Maximum employment as a doctoral student is eight years, equivalent to four years of full-time doctoral studies.
  • Departmental duties may correspond to up to 20% of full-time.
  • Position start: Early September 2026
  • Location: Department of Sociology and Work Science
  • Salaries follow local University agreements.
  • Physical presence in Gothenburg is required.
  • Applicants requiring a residence permit must present a valid permit at the start of studies.

Selection Process

  • Top-ranked candidates will be invited to an interview.

Contact Information

  • Project and research questions: Kerstin Jacobsson, kerstin.jacobsson@gu.se, +46 31 786 2764
  • Doctoral program questions: Bertil Rolandsson, coordinator of third-cycle program
  • Application procedure: Anna Karin Wiberg, anna-karin.wiberg@gu.se, +46 31 786 3156

Union Information

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Application Instructions

  • Apply via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal.
  • Ensure applications are complete before the deadline.
  • Deadline: 14 May 2026

Information for International Applicants

Apply