Postdoctoral Fellow in Gender Studies with Educational Science Focus

Position Responsibilities The postdoctoral fellow will conduct independent research in gender studies with an educational science focus on the theme: Youth, Violence, and Gender in Schools. Schools play a central role in efforts to promote safety, democratic values, and gender equality. Issues of violence in young people's close relationships, honor-related violence, youth perpetration of violence, and recruitment into criminal environments underscore schools' responsibility as learning environments and social arenas. Against the backdrop of increasing polarization and the report Schools Against Crime (SOU 2024:14), we aim to strengthen research on violence, safety, and gender in school environments. Research might address, for example, how issues of violence, safety, and vulnerability are shaped in relation to norms, gender relations, and schools' values-based work. Critical perspectives on norm-criticism, safety, and inclusion in school environments are also relevant within the scope of this call's theme. The research must be described by the applicant in a research plan submitted with the application for the position. As a postdoctoral fellow, you are also expected to contribute to the unit's shared research environment and to participate in and support a pedagogical environment. Teaching and supervision at the undergraduate and advanced levels, and possibly doctoral level, as well as certain other research-related administrative tasks may comprise up to 20% of your working time. The position is at Umeå Centre for Gender Studies but also aims to strengthen educational science research across Umeå University. As a postdoctoral fellow, you will actively contribute to the interdisciplinary career program for newly graduated doctors that the School of Education runs. There are also opportunities for collaboration with other research environments at the university, for example in pedagogy, didactics, and social work, as well as with researchers working on issues of violence, safety, and gender. Qualifications Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in gender studies, in educational science with a gender focus, or in another closely related subject area deemed relevant to the research conducted at Umeå Centre for Gender Studies and to this call's theme. Those with foreign degrees assessed as equivalent to the above may also be considered qualified. To be eligible for appointment as a postdoctoral fellow, applicants must have completed their doctoral degree by the time the appointment decision is made. You must not have previously been employed as a postdoctoral fellow for more than one year in the same or a related subject area at Umeå University to be eligible. First priority will be given to those who completed their doctorate within three years before the application deadline. If special circumstances exist, those who completed their doctorate earlier may be considered. Special circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, positions of trust within labor organizations, or similar circumstances. Applicants must be able to express themselves well in English, both orally and in writing. Good proficiency in Swedish, both orally and in writing, is desirable. Evaluation Criteria We welcome applicants who conduct or have conducted research on violence, safety, gender, and norms relevant to school environments and educational science questions. Research employing norm-critical or critically analytical perspectives on schools' values-based work, safety, and inclusion is also relevant to this call. The most important evaluation criterion is the contribution to the research field as described in the applicant's research plan and previous scientific output. The ability to conduct independent research and to participate in research collaborations are also important qualifications. Teaching forms part of the position, and documented experience in teaching at the undergraduate and advanced levels, as well as university pedagogical training, is therefore desirable. Since the main part of the postdoctoral appointment consists of independent research, scientific competence weighs more heavily than pedagogical and educational competence in assessing applicants' qualifications. Other evaluation criteria include strong collaborative skills and other qualities deemed necessary for successfully carrying out the position's responsibilities. About the Position The position is at Umeå Centre for Gender Studies at Umeå University, with work location in Umeå. Regular presence at the workplace is expected, as is active participation and engagement in the unit's activities. The position is a fixed-term, full-time appointment for two years. The appointment includes independent research for at least 80% of working time. Start date: December 1, 2026, or by agreement. Application Applications must be written in Swedish or English and include the following documents: Cover letter with a brief description of your qualifications, scientific interests, and motivation for applying for the position (max two pages) CV/list of merits Maximum 3 scientific publications Authenticated copies of transcripts and degree certificates Research plan (max 2,500 words) describing the research you plan to conduct on the theme: Youth, Violence, and Gender in Schools within the scope of the appointment Contact information for at least two references Any other merits you wish to mention Applications are submitted through our recruitment system Varbi. The application deadline is August 30, 2026. For further information, contact Director Åsa Karlsson Sjögren, [email protected], +46 90 786 62 48 We welcome your application! About Umeå Centre for Gender Studies Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS) is one of Sweden's largest gender studies environments. It serves as a gathering place for gender studies/gender research and education with a gender focus at Umeå University. UCGS offers gender studies education at all levels, from undergraduate and advanced levels to doctoral studies. The research environment is vibrant and creative: it promotes cross-sectional collaboration and scientific partnerships and actively works to address current societal challenges through knowledge development and education.

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