5 Doctoral Studentships in Subject-Specific Education

The graduate school on subject-specific didactic models in primary school (BEPPE)

Karlstad University and the University of Gothenburg are announcing nine doctoral studentships for the graduate school BEPPE, starting 1 September 2026. Five doctoral students will be placed at Karlstad University, and four at the University of Gothenburg. We are looking for candidates who are interested in conducting research on practice-based subject-didactics in primary education (pre-school and school years 1–6) and teacher education.

In the application, candidates specify which subject area they are applying to, based on their subject expertise and research specialisation. The graduate school welcomes projects in natural sciences (biology, physics and chemistry), social sciences (geography, history, religion and civics), mathematics and languages, with a clear connection to subject-specific education. For the corresponding advertisement with admission at the University of Gothenburg, please go to: https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/job?site=6&lang=SE&validator=3038fcf1516ea1184a6da70a891f87da&job_id=39478

Information meeting

https://kau-se.zoom.us/j/4678317754?omn=64680222106

Research profile of the graduate school

Despite a long tradition of university-based teacher education, there is still no solid scientific foundation for understanding the dynamics between teaching and learning. The graduate school BEPPE aims to contribute to more systematic knowledge about how a selection of scientifically established, but mutually distinct, subject-didactic models function across different subjects and educational contexts, and how they can be integrated into teacher education and primary education. Through coordinated classroom studies, qualities in teaching that enhance pupils’ learning are identified to provide a broader understanding of “best practice”.

Description of the graduate school

You will be admitted to Karlstad University or the University of Gothenburg, but you may be employed at another Swedish higher education institution that conducts teacher education. It is also possible for candidates who, as yet, are not affiliated with one of the country’s teacher education programmes to apply. BEPPE offers a dynamic environment with opportunities to establish international networks, participate in conferences and engage in exchange programmes abroad. More information about the graduate school and its research profile (in Swedish): https://www.kau.se/rose/forskarutbildning/utbildningssatsningar/best-practice-en-forskarskola-om-amnesdidaktiska

Subject environments

The graduate school is a part of the subject‑didactic research environment at Karlstad University. This includes the multidisciplinary research environment Rose (Research on Subject-specific Education) and three research centres: CSL (Centre for Language and Literature Education), CSD (Centre for Social Science Didactics ) and SMEER (Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education Research). The subject-specific education perspective involves a particular interest in teaching and learning within specific subjects or subject areas. As a doctoral student, you will be affiliated with one of our research environments specialising in subject-specific education.
https://www.kau.se/en/rose
https://www.kau.se/en/csl
https://www.kau.se/en/csd
https://www.kau.se/en/smeer

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 discipline and the department. You are given the opportunity to deepen your interests in collaboration with others. 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 organise your tasks. This requires commitment, drive and the ability to structure your work to successfully complete the doctoral thesis. To contribute to a positive work environment and further both the department’s activities and your own development as a researcher, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Entry requirements and admission

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).

Specific entry requirements vary between subjects and are outlined in each subject’s general syllabus. Depending on your educational background, you may be eligible for admission to different third‑cycle subject areas, each with its own syllabus. Applicable general syllabi, including the specific entry requirements, are available by subject area here: https://www.kau.se/en/research/doctoral-studies/graduate-programs/research-education-subjects

Third-cycle subject areas of relevance to the doctoral studentships include:

• Biology
• English
• History
• Chemistry
• Human Geography (Geography)
• Comparative Literature
• Mathematics
• Materials Engineering
• Educational Work

In addition to the general and specific entry requirements, the doctoral studentships also require proficiency in a Scandinavian language due to the nature of the research.

Assessment criteria:

The assessment of eligible candidates is based on the criteria listed below.

Special weight will be given to documented qualifications related to

• the quality of the qualifying degree project/thesis
• the quality of the submitted research plan and its relevance in relation to the research profile of the graduate school

Considerable weight will be given to

• the extent to which the candidate intends to be physically present and active in the research environment
• personal qualities, including the ability to work independently, take initiative, and demonstrate persistence and good teamwork skills
• a good command of English

Experience in teaching, primarily within primary education, and secondarily in other forms of educational settings, is considered a valuable qualification.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree, or who can be regarded as being close to completing such a degree, will not be prioritised.

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 consisting of research only. If teaching or other departmental duties become relevant, the appointment will be extended by a corresponding period, up to a maximum of five years full-time. The position is fixed-term, one year initially, followed by possible extensions of a maximum of two years at a time (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5). Start date as agreed by both parties.

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.

Admission is granted provided the necessary approval is given.

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 where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position, no more than 1 A4 page
• 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
• a thesis/degree project comprising at least 15 credits at the Master’s level and, if available, one additional research-related text (for example, an article, report or equivalent)
• a preliminary research plan in which the intended doctoral project is described in a maximum of five A4 pages, 11-point font, excluding reference list. This should include background and purpose, previous research, theoretical background, method and references. It should also specify the third-cycle subject area to which you wish to be admitted.
• two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or former or current manager
• other qualifications relevant to the position

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: March 16, 2026

State the reference number: REK 2026/12.

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.