Postdoctoral Students in Food and Nutrition

University of Gothenburg

Reference number: PAR 2026/97

About the University of Gothenburg

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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.

Doctoral Position in Food and Nutrition

The Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science develops knowledge for a healthy and thriving world through food and sport. Our mission is to conduct education and research of world-class quality in food and nutrition science and sport science. The research is characterized by a clear educational connection, multidisciplinary collaborations and close contact with the outside world. The main focus of the department's research is to develop and disseminate scientific knowledge and professional competence that can contribute to effectively promoting sustainable habits regarding sports, physical activity and food. The Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science has two doctoral subjects: Food and Nutrition and Sport Science.

At the Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science, Food and Nutrition is a third-cycle subject with focus at people's intersection with food, which is studied in a multidisciplinary perspective. The importance of diet in health promotion and disease prevention is central but aspects such as environment and performance are also addressed. Food and Nutrition includes studies on the actions, choices and habits of individuals and those responsible for diet. It may apply to meals as well as diets as a whole. Learning, behavioral change and people's thoughts, attitudes and perceptions about diet are important starting points in research.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.
Doctoral studies | University of Gothenburg

Duties

A doctoral student shall devote their time to third-cycle studies in accordance with the General syllabus for the subject in which they are admitted. The final goal of the programme is the doctoral degree. The doctoral student conducts research and is expected to contribute to the development of knowledge within the field. This includes developing their own ideas and communicating scientific results both orally and in writing. The doctoral student must develop the knowledge and skills required to independently conduct research within the subject through the production of a doctoral thesis. The position also aims to ensure that the doctoral student develops the ability to apply the scientific skills and knowledge acquired in further research or other qualified professional work.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:

• having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
• the fulfilment of course requirements totaling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
• the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in Food and Nutrition require that the applicant has fulfilled course requirements of at least 90 credits in the subject of Food and Nutrition or in another subject of relevance to Food and Nutrion activities, of which 15 credits must consist of an independent project/thesis. A person who has acquired equivalent knowledge in another way within or outside the country also has special qualifications.

Assessment Criteria

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

When appointing, consideration will primarily be given to the degree of ability to benefit from the doctoral education. An overall assessment will be made of the research proposal and research orientation, the degree project/thesis, and other merits. Interviews will be conducted.

Admission and selection will take place with due consideration of the department’s supervisory capacity within the applicant’s area of doctoral research. Only applicants who can be offered supervision and acceptable study conditions will be admitted.

The doctoral student position is filled on the condition that the necessary decisions are made.

Admission and Employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

• Form of employment: Fixed-term employment, corresponding to four years of full-time studies
• Place of employment: at The Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science
• Extent: 100%
• Start date: 1st of September 2026, or by agreement

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at The Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the department has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the project, you are welcome to contact:

Deputy Head of Department for Doctoral Education Andreas Fröberg,
tel. 073-7227026,
email andreas.froberg@gu.se

Application

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

A complete application contains, in pdf format:

• A cover letter in which you describe yourself and justify why you are interested in the doctoral student position. Also provide current contact information for three reference persons who know your achievements well, e.g. previous employers, supervisors or teachers in Food and Nutrition or equivalent. Any co-financing should be reported.
• Curriculum vitae that includes completed education and university courses, as well as employment.
• Certified copies of degree certificates and proof of specific entry requirements.
• Copies of the degree project/thesis (second-cycle level).
• A research proposal including the following headings: background; aim; materials and methods; timeline; and relevance to the field of Food and Nutrition (e.g. proposed applications), as well as references. Format and formal requirements: written in English, with a maximum length of four pages (excluding references).
• A statement explaining how the proposed project relates to and is relevant for one or more of the department’s educational programmes. See the following link for information on the department’s study programmes: https://www.gu.se/en/food-nutrition-sport-science/study-here.
• Other merits/documents to be considered, such as any publications, manuscripts, or other relevant materials.

Applications must be received by: 1 March, 2026.