Postdoctoral Position in Education

University of Gothenburg

Institution: University of Gothenburg, Department of Education and Special Education (IPS)
Reference Number: PAR 2026/73
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Start Date: September 1, 2026, or by agreement
Employment: Temporary, 100% (4 years full-time studies, renewable up to 8 years total)

Overview

The Department of Education and Special Education at the University of Gothenburg invites applications for doctoral positions with a focus on cognitive perspectives, special education, or intervention research. Doctoral students will primarily be linked to the PRIS research environment and affiliated with one of two national research schools:

1. Special Education Research School – Focus on school-based interventions, coordinated with Stockholm University, Linköping University, and Mälardalen University.
2. Cognition in the Classroom – Focus on students’ language, reading, and writing development from cognitive perspectives.

Doctoral projects may combine quantitative and qualitative methods within these interdisciplinary research schools.

Research Project Themes

Applicants should align their research proposal with one of the following focus areas:

1. Study Strategies – Investigating study strategies among students with dyslexia or learning difficulties, including the impact of interventions and cognitive or digital strategies.
2. Word Learning – Exploring learning designs that support word understanding and spelling, comparing reading versus listening, and identifying effective learning strategies.
3. Read Alouds for Students with Intellectual Disability – Evaluating structured read-aloud activities and book discussions in adapted compulsory schooling, focusing on social understanding and language development.

Eligibility

General Eligibility:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent 240 ECTS credits, including 60 at master’s level)
• Proficiency in Swedish and English sufficient to conduct research, participate in doctoral school activities, and teach

Special Eligibility for Educational Work:

• Advanced teacher education or equivalent, including a thesis/project of at least 15 ECTS credits
• Relevant professional experience is a merit

Application Materials

Applicants must submit via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal:

• Personal letter (max 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Study documentation (transcripts)
• Essay or degree project (≥15 credits)
• Research plan (max 5 pages) aligned with one of the three thematic areas
• References (optional)
• Other relevant qualifications

Deadline: March 6, 2026

Contact Information:

• Jakob Åsberg Johnels, Professor & Head of Department: jakob.johnels@gu.se
• Daniel Bergh, Director of Doctoral Studies: daniel.bergh@gu.se
• HR Contact: Ivana Nikolic: ivana.nikolic@gu.se

More Information:

• Doctoral Education at University of Gothenburg
• Department of Education and Special Education
• Research Schools