Doctoral Students In Public Administration

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The School of Public Administration is a department at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gothenburg. We offer education and research in the field of public administration. Public Administration is an interdisciplinary discipline that combines multiple subject perspectives in the study of the public sector's role and function in society. The School of Public Administration offers education at all levels: undergraduate, advanced, and postgraduate level. The core of the educational activities is the Bachelor's and Master's programs in Public Administration. We also offer standalone courses and a number of commissioned educations. The idea of cooperation between the university and society is a driving force behind the School of Public Administration.

As of January 2023, the School of Public Administration has approximately 60 employees, 15 of whom are doctoral students. Our facilities are located in Campus Haga in central Gothenburg.

Most researchers, teachers, and doctoral students at the School of Public Administration are more or less associated with three research areas in Public Administration, which also coincide with the options for specialization in our education:

A. Democracy, politics, and administration. The focus here is on how politics is created and implemented in public administration. Key themes include public officials and their roles, local politics and democracy, politics and administration in multilevel systems, and the oversight of public operations.

B. Organizing, management, and society (OMS). The focus here is on understanding the organization of public administration and seeking explanations for how public actors, in cooperation with local communities, meet the major challenges of our time. Key themes include cooperation, innovation, and sustainability.

C. Public financial management and accounting. The focus here is on the role of accounting and governance in public administration. Key themes include governance principles, forms of accountability, efficiency problems, and coordination.

The School of Public Administration is seeking qualified and motivated individuals for PhD positions in public administration. We welcome applicants whose research interests align with existing research directions as well as those who bring new perspectives.

More information about the institution can be found on our website www. gu.se/forvaltningshogskolan.

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

https: // medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true

Duties

A PhD student conducts research and is expected to contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Public administration. The PhD student is expected to develop their own ideas and communicate scientific results both orally and in writing.

The goal of the postgraduate education is for the PhD student to develop the knowledge and skills required to independently conduct research in public administration and to contribute to the development of knowledge in the field through the submission of a scientific thesis.

The postgraduate education in Public Administration also aims to develop the ability of the PhD student to apply the scientific skills and knowledge achieved in continued research work or in other qualified professional work.

Postgraduate level education includes four years of full-time studies and leads to a doctoral degree.

The person employed as a PhD student should primarily devote themselves to their research education. However, a PhD student may, to a limited extent (up to 20%), work with education, research, and administration, known as institutional service. In the case of institutional service, the employment is extended with the corresponding time.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position, the applicant must meet both general and specific entry requirements.

The general entry requirements for third-cycle (PhD) studies if he/she has obtained (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.39):

a degree at the second-cycle level (MA level, or equivalent),

at least 240 higher education (university) credits, of which at least 60 must be at the second-cycle level, or

largely equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways in Sweden or abroad.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40, and the General Syllabus for Third-Cycle Studies in Public Administration, an applicant meets the specific entry requirements if he/she has

a degree at the second-cycle level (MA level, or equivalent), in Public Administration (or fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education (university) credits, of which at least 60 must be at the second-cycle level, or

a degree at the second-cycle level (MA level, or equivalent) in another social science field that includes a master thesis (or equivalent) with a focus on Public Administration, or

largely equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways in Sweden or abroad.

Assessment criteria

Selection among applicants who meet the requirements for general and special qualifications will be based on the ability to complete postgraduate level education and the department's supervisor resources.

As a basis for this assessment, the following will be used:

An application letter

where the applicant describes their motivations for applying to the program;

where the applicant explains how they intend to actively participate in the research environment at the School of Public Administration in Gothenburg; and

where the applicant relates to the aforementioned research directions: A) Democracy, politics, and administration, B) Organizing, management, and society (OMS), or C) Public financial management and accounting, and discusses which of these they consider closest to their own research interests.

An advanced level degree thesis , and/or other relevant work. The thesis will be assessed according to standard scientific quality criteria, where a weighting is made of problem formulation ability, theoretical link, methodological awareness, analytical ability, and presentation skills.

A project draft in which the applicant states their research interest and planned thesis area. The project sketch should show familiarity with previous and current research and ability to formulate scientific problems and should be no more than 2000 words (about 4-5 pages).

CV and verified course grades.

Other merits and certificates that the applicant refers to will be taken into account in the assessment, such as documented ability to communicate in Swedish and English as well as good references and achievements in areas relevant to research in Public Administration.

Applicants may be asked to provide recommendation letters and/or references at a later stage to verify their suitability for the program.

The applications will be reviewed by a working group, and the decision on admission will be made by the Head of the School of Public Administration. Interviews with a selection of applicants may be conducted as part of the selection process. Decisions on admission cannot be appealed.

Employment

Employment form: Temporary employment, 4 years full-time studies Extent: 100% Location: School of Public Administration, Gothenburg Start date: August 16, 2023 (or other time by agreement)

After admission to postgraduate level education, you will be employed as a PhD student. The regulations for employment as a PhD student can be found in the Swedish Code of Statutes 1993:100. The initial employment as a PhD student may not exceed one year. The employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. A person may be employed as a PhD student for a total of eight years. The total employment period may not be longer than what corresponds to research level education on a full-time basis for four years.

The university applies a local agreement on salary for PhD students.

Contact information

Contact information for the employment

David Karlsson, Deputy Head of Department responsible for research and postgraduate education, [email protected]

Patrik Renberg, PhD-student, [email protected]

Maria Utterhall, HR-officer, [email protected]

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https: // www. gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

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

Applications must be received by: March 10, 2023

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https: // www. gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services https: // www. movetogothenburg.com/

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.