Doctoral Student in Information Systems

Description

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is accepting applications for a doctoral studentship leading to a PhD in Information Systems at Karlstad Business School. Our mission at Karlstad Business School is to educate responsible professionals and conduct research with high societal impact. The subject of Information Systems has around 25 staff members, most of whom are conducting research in various areas connected to digitalisation. We run three degree programmes at undergraduate level, one of which is a distance education programme, and one master’s programme. You can learn more about us here: https://www.kau.se/en/information-systems

Our doctoral programme is partly run in collaboration with Stiftelsen Compare, with a focus on digital development and innovation. Within the framework of this partnership, we are now looking for a doctoral student to conduct their research studies in the area of User-Centred System Development (UCSD). The proposed research specialisation includes the investigation of collaboration methods for public and private organisations, as well as innovation-driven methods to facilitate collaboration through user-centred approaches. The exact focus of the doctoral project will be established in dialogue between the doctoral student and their supervisor.

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the subject and the department. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement, but will not constitute more than 20% of full-time. Work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you structure your day. It takes commitment, discipline and a structured approach in order to successfully complete a doctoral thesis. Experienced supervisors offer guidance and support along the way. In order to contribute to a positive working environment and help further the subject’s activities, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

The doctoral studentship is co-funded by Stiftelsen Compare, see https://www.compare.se/en.  The doctoral student is expected to be active in the research environment at both the subject of Information Systems and Compare.

More information about the doctoral programme in Information Systems: https://www.kau.se/en/research/doctoral-studies/graduate-programs/research-education-subjects/information-systems

Entry requirements

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, applicants must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, applicants must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in information systems, the applicant must hold a Degree of Master (60 credits) in information systems or project management as the main field of study. An applicant can also be eligible after having acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in the country or abroad.

Admission and assessment criteria

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

The assessment will focus on the applicant’s performance in previous studies, the quality of any independent projects completed during these studies, a research plan describing the intended thesis project, proficiency in English and Swedish, and the extent to which the applicant intends to be a present and active part of the research environment.

Considerable weight will be given to experience in coordinating and collaborating with multiple stakeholders across disciplinary boundaries, and integration of emerging technologies into work processes, as well as experience with user-centred data collection methods that align with the aims of the project, such as workshops, focus groups, interviews.

Considerable weight will also be given to personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, show good judgment, independence, responsibility, commitment and a positive attitude towards colleagues.

Experience from policy work is considered a valuable qualification.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies, or five years at a study rate of 80% with 20% teaching or other departmental duties. The position is fixed-term – one year initially, followed by possible extensions by a maximum of two years at a time. Start date by agreement.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• a cover letter (no more than 1,000 words) where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position
• a list of qualifications (CV)
• degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates
• copy of Master’s thesis or equivalent
• where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications
• a brief research plan (1,000–2,500 words)
• any letters of recommendation
• two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or previous or current superior.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content. Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-administratör
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 2025-03-16

State the reference number: REK 2025/51

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.