Doctoral studentship in English literature or Comparative literature - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description

The Research Group for Culture Studies (KuFo) at Karlstad University functions as an interdisciplinary platform for researchers active within the culture-oriented branches of the humanities. At present the group includes researchers from the subjects of English, Comparative Literature, Intercultural Studies, Cultural Studies, Working Life Science, and Art History and Visual Studies, but remains open to researchers from other disciplines. The group is held together by its common concern for what we call the Cultural Archive of society, which is to say that we focus on issues concerning the historical and geographical dissemination and preservation of cultural expressions and discourses. The various disciplines within the humanities of course deal with this archive in rather different ways. In order better to capture the multi-faceted methods and theories within the field, KuFo approaches the cultural archive from three overarching angles: aesthetics, rhetoric, and practice. Without foregoing either scientific breadth or depth, KuFo has developed into a productive platform for the academic study of culture at Karlstad University. See: https://www.kau.se/kufo

English and Comparative Literature offer a broad range of courses on all levels, including first cycle as well as teacher education courses and study programmes (primary and secondary education), freestanding courses, and English for Specific Purposes.

Position

The doctoral study programme consists of four years of full-time study leading to a doctoral degree. Doctoral students are expected to work independently but also to contribute in different ways to the work of the subject, whether English or Comparative literature, including teaching and administration tasks. The applicant is expected to have Karlstad University as their work place and to contribute actively to the research environment within KuFo and the subject.

Eligibility

Applicants to doctoral studies must meet the general admission requirements as well as the specific eligibility requirements and be judged to have the ability otherwise required to pursue the programme successfully (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch 7 §35).

General eligibility for admission requires a second-cycle qualification (MA) of at least 240 ECTS credits, including at least 60 ECTS credits at second-cycle (MA) level, or largely equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Specific eligibility requirements for English literature are at least 30 ECTS credits in English at second-cycle (MA) level, including an independent degree project equivalent to 15 ECTS credits.

Specific eligibility requirements for Comparative Literature are at least 30 ECTS credits in Comparative Literature at second-cycle (MA) level, or equivalent knowledge. Excellent command of Swedish and English is required. Knowledge of other languages is of value.

Admission

Admission is based on individual assessment of the applicant’s qualifications and capacity to complete a programme at doctoral level successfully. Applicants are especially assessed and ranked on the basis of their previous studies, with special emphasis on the quality of their submitted independent research-related works, especially at the second-cycle (MA) level. In addition, the applicant’s thesis proposal, language proficiency, and willingness to be present and active at Karlstad University, will be assessed. The applicant needs to exhibit social competence and the ability to work both independently and in a group. The doctoral programmes in English and Comparative Literature consist at present mainly of men, so we especially encourage female applicants.

The doctoral studentship is a full-time position for 4-5 years (80-100 % doctoral studies and 10-20% teaching/administration), with starting date 15 January 2020 or by agreement. The salary for the doctoral position is set in accordance with Karlstad University policies.

Application

Application should be made electronically no later than 25 November 2019 and include:

• CV (with certified copies of degree certificates, etc.)
• Submitted Bachelor and Master theses (or equivalent), and copies of any other research papers, such as scholarly articles or book chapters demonstrating the applicant’s ability to complete a doctoral program successfully
• Cover letter (1000 words) with description of background and research interests
• A brief research proposal (1000-2500 words)
• Additional documents of relevance to the application
• If possible, include references and/or letters of recommendation.