The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.
This position is part of the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.
The Swedish Research Council will announce an attractive funding opportunity for Assistant Professor with an international background at the end of 2026. The university’s ambition is to nominate strong candidates from this recruitment initiative to the Swedish Research Council.
The Department of Social Work is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. It is one of the largest and most established academic environments for research and education in social work in the Nordic region. The Department has more than 130 employees and provides education at first-, second- and third-cycle levels. Its educational offerings include the Social Work Programme, master’s programmes in Social Work and human rights, and other further education.
Research is conducted across several thematic areas in an active and expanding academic environment characterised by a strong commitment to society. The department also has extensive international partnerships and collaborates with research networks and universities worldwide.
More information is available on the Department of Social Work website: gu.se/en/socwork
We are currently seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in Social Work who will contribute to strengthening our research and education environment.
Subject area
Social Work
Subject area description
Social work examines the living conditions and experiences of people in situations of social vulnerability. The subject also explores the causes and consequences of social problems and how these can be understood at individual, group and societal levels. Written communication and the use of language in different forms and contexts are central to professional social work practice. Social work is a main field of study at first- and second-cycle levels and a third-cycle subject.
Duties
The duties of an Assistant Professor include conducting research equivalent to at least 50 per cent of full-time. This includes identifying research questions, developing theoretical ideas, data collecting and choosing research methods. The position also includes actively seeking external funding for their own research and actively participating in the department's research environments and seminar activities.
The duties also consist of education in the form of preparation for, implementation of, and follow-up work on various forms of teaching at undergraduate level, advanced level and possibly in doctoral education. Course and programme development, course responsibility, course administration and other pedagogical work are also included in the position.
As an Assistant Professor, you will be part of the strategic research programme Building Resilience in Crime Prevention (BRiC): Advancing Professional Knowledge of Child Vulnerability, Drug Markets and Emerging Technologies. BRiC was launched in spring 2026 and is currently in its start-up phase. The programme is funded by the Swedish Research Council and is a collaboration between Lund University, the University of Gothenburg, Malmö University and Linnaeus University.
BRiC brings together more than 60 researchers and aims to strengthen scientific and professional knowledge in crime prevention through research conducted in close collaboration with practitioners in social services and the criminal justice system. As an Assistant Professor, you will have the opportunity to help shape this emerging research environment and further develop your research and collaboration networks in the field of crime prevention.
Eligibility
Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.
Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in Social Work or has the corresponding research competence. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant Professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates.
The ability to teach in English is a requirement. Proficiency in Swedish is not required for this position.
Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.
We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area.
Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise, secondly on teaching expertise, and thirdly on collaborative and administrative competence.
The position requires:
- Documented teaching expertise in higher education,
- Documented, current and relevant experience of practice-based and/or professionally oriented research in social work,
- In the research plan, applicants are expected to formulate an innovative research project of high scientific quality within crime-preventive social work in a Swedish context.
Research expertise
Research expertise is demonstrated through scholarly publications and current participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is placed on high-quality publications with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The quality, originality, and impact of publications are given greater emphasis than the total number of publications. The ability to obtain external research funding in competition is highly meritorious.
Teaching expertise
Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and/or doctoral level within Social Work. When assessing teaching expertise, special emphasis is placed on documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality.
Collaboration with the community at large and administrative competence
Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public.
Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, such as coordinating research or educational activities, as well as contributing to the development of the department or faculty.
Overall Assessment
A position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position targeting researchers and teachers who defended their doctoral thesis relatively recently. The position will be offered to the candidate who is assessed to have the best prospects for carrying out the duties required in the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of activities based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.
Extensive experience in academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.
Particular emphasis will be placed on documented research merits with clear relevance to social work.
Particular emphasis will also be placed on the quality of the submitted research plan. The research plan must clearly demonstrate how the project is connected to and contributes to social work, with a focus on practice-based and/or professionally oriented crime-preventive social work in a Swedish context.
Employment
Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for five years
Extent: Full-time (100%)
Location: Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Starting date: By agreement
An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer.
The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances.
Promotion to Senior Lecturer
An Assistant Professor is entitled to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in the same subject area as the Assistant Professorship, provided that the individual is qualified for such an appointment and is deemed suitable following an assessment based on the established criteria for promotion to Senior Lecturer.
To assess whether an applicant is sufficiently qualified for promotion, an evaluation is carried out in accordance with the assessment criteria for employment as Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) applied at the University of Gothenburg, as set out in the Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Teaching Staff at the Faculty of Social Sciences (GU 2025/1103). In such an evaluation, the following additional requirements for promotion apply:
The applicant must have demonstrated a high level of scientific competence through:
- High-quality scientific publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals. In addition, high-quality scientific publications in peer-reviewed books or book chapters are also considered meritorious.
- Success in obtaining external research funding in national and/or international competition
- Contributions to the scientific community, for example by undertaking peer-review assignments, serving as an external examiner, faculty opponent, or as a member of an examination committee.
- Demonstrated progression in relation to the applicant’s scientific merits at the beginning of the employment as Assistant Professor, for example by achieving Associate Professor qualifications.
The applicant must have demonstrated a high level of pedagogical competence through:
- Teaching experience to at least 1,600 hours.
- Experience in course development and in various teaching methods.
- Completion of approved training in higher education pedagogy (courses PIL101–PIL103 or validation approved by the Dean), as well as supervisor training (PIL201 or validation approved by the Dean).
- Demonstrated progression in relation to the applicant’s pedagogical competence at the beginning of the employment as Assistant Professor, for example through teaching at different levels, within different subject areas, or through further specialization in previously covered areas.
The applicant must have demonstrated collaboration and leadership skills through:
- Organising and participating in outreach-oriented scientific activities, such as workshops, panels, or conferences.
- Organising and participating in outreach activities in collaboration with wider society, for example conferences involving policymakers, service users, or organisations, or other forms of public engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and organise research projects, educational activities, or other initiatives.
- Taking collegial responsibility for the department, for example through participation in review panels and working groups.
The applicant must demonstrate personal suitability through:
- Sound professional judgement, the ability to perform the duties associated with the position, and the ability to collaborate and contribute to the development of the organisation.
Language requirements:
- Proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This must be demonstrated by a passing result on an approved language test or by a certificate from the Head of Department stating that such a test is clearly unnecessary.
Moving to Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.
Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).
Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents
Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg
Other information
The position of Assistant Professor is a career-development appointment and constitutes a step in an academic career path designed to enable researchers to develop their independence and establish their own research profile, with the right to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.
To support a healthy work–life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: Employment benefits | University of Gothenburg
If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.
If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you will be offered language courses as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.
The position is based in Gothenburg and requires the successful applicant to reside in and be registered in Sweden.
Selection process
Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment.
As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.
Interviews and trial lectures will be held from mid-December to the beginning of January.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Therese Wissö, therese.wisso@socwork.gu.se and Tobias Davidsson, tobias.davidsson@socwork.gu.se.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ebba Ståhl, HR Officer, ebba.stahl@socwork.gu.se.
Unions
Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.
Application
You apply for the position through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline. All stated merits must be supported by certificates.
Please submit your application in English, as it will be reviewed by external reviewers whose working language is English.
The following documents should be attached to the application:
- Curriculum vitae/CV, including a full list of publications and a statement of external funding received (including amounts).
- Research plan, not exceeding 3 pages. The plan must clearly relate to crime-preventive social work in a Swedish context, and be capable of being developed into at least one competitive research funding application.
- A description of your scientific qualifications.
a) A list of your five most significant scientific publications. For co-authored publications, the applicant’s contribution must be clearly specified. Please indicate your role and the extent of your contribution. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but not yet published, a certificate of accepted publication must be attached.
b) A brief statement of your scientific merits and research profile (maximum 2 pages). - Full electronic copies of up to five scientific publications.
- A statement of your teaching qualifications containing:
a) A list of the courses and study programmes you have developed and taught at undergraduate, advanced (master's), and doctoral levels.
b) A description of your pedagogical competences and qualifications, including information on their scope and quality.
c) A description of your teaching material production (textbooks and other teaching material).
d) A pedagogical self-reflection on your teaching philosophy and teaching practice (maximum 3 pages).
e) Certificates documenting your training in higher education pedagogy, if applicable.
f) Certificates of your teaching experience from a Head of Department/Director of Studies or equivalent at at least one university or department. - Complete copies of a maximum of three works from your teaching materials production, if applicable.
Electronic copies of teaching materials, such as syllabi, reading lists, examination assignments, lecture slides, and instructions for students (maximum 3 items). Please refer to these documents in your statement of teaching merits and qualifications under section 5.b. - Doctoral degree certificate.
- Other certificates and documents that you wish to submit in support of your application.
Publications that cannot be submitted digitally must be sent in two identical copies to: University of Gothenburg, Department of Social Work, Att: Ebba Ståhl, Box 720, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. Please state the reference number: PAR 2026/549.
Application deadline: 30 October 2026.
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.
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