Assistant Professor in Linguistics

The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.

This position is part of the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.

At the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics, and Theory of Science (FLoV) within the Faculty of Humanities, we have around 120 employees and a teaching volume that includes around 350 full-year students. We are engaged in numerous large international and interdisciplinary research projects in areas such as theoretical and practical philosophy, logic, linguistics, computational linguistics, language technology, and theory of science. Our research has many applications and collaborations with other scientific fields, including biology, computer science, economics, history of ideas, law, medicine, psychology, religion, political science, and engineering. We educate philosophers, logicians, linguists, language technologists, theorists of science, historians of philosophy, and teachers of philosophy. The department also conducts doctoral education and development work within its various academic domains. If you are interested in working in an international, dynamic and collaborative environment, FLoV offers an inspiring setting for research and education. Read more about us here. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Gothenburg, research of at least 50% and professional development are part of the position.

Subject area

Linguistics. Link to subject page here.

Subject area description

Linguistic interaction is the overarching research profile for linguistics at FLoV. The profile covers the study of language as a structured system, a social-cognitive capacity, and a situated form of action. It therefore includes both formal and/or computational modelling of the systems of conventions that constitute individual languages and studies of the social practices and psychosocial mechanisms that enable language use.

Research in the subject includes psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, and typological perspectives. In psycholinguistics, language is studied in relation to perception, language processing, language acquisition, and production. In sociolinguistics and linguistic typology, linguistic variation and diversity are investigated within and across languages, language families, and social groups.

The subject also engages with broader philosophical and societal questions concerning meaning, interpretation, normativity, categorisation, and the conditions for linguistic understanding. Such questions are particularly significant in contexts where language is used and circulates through institutional, technological, and public settings, thereby shaping how knowledge, action, and shared understanding are organised. In this way, the social and societal conditions of language also become central, including how communicative practices are shaped by technological infrastructures, social conventions, and changing public contexts.

Taken together, linguistics at FLoV combines theoretical, empirical, and computational approaches to language. The subject provides a foundation for investigating linguistic structure, interaction, cognition, diversity, and meaning, while also contributing to the analysis of the relationship between language, technology, communicative practices, and the societal contexts in which language is used and has an impact.

Duties

The position is a career-development position with an emphasis on research and scholarly development in linguistics. Job assignments consist of research, teaching, and administration.

Research: As an Assistant Professor in linguistics, you are expected to conduct and publish high-quality research with international relevance within your area of expertise. The position is intended to support your development of independence as a researcher and the establishment of your own research profile within the subject area. You are also expected to develop applications for external research funding, nationally and internationally, build research networks, collaborate with researchers both at and outside the department, and contribute actively to the subject’s research environment, including participation in the subject’s research seminar.

Teaching: You are expected to contribute to teaching at first- and second-cycle level in linguistics. Teaching may include central areas such as phonetics/phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics, as well as teaching in programmes where linguistics is included, such as the Master in Language Technology programme and the Master’s Programme for Communication Officers in the Public Sector. Courses are taught in either Swedish or English. Applicants who are not proficient in Swedish at the start of their employment are expected to gradually develop the language skills necessary to contribute to teaching in Swedish, in accordance with the language proficiency level specified under the eligibility requirements.

Teaching duties include lectures, seminars, assessment, supervision, and teaching administration. You are also expected, to an extent appropriate for a career-development position, to contribute to course and programme development within the subject area.

Administration: The position may also include other tasks, such as administrative duties and development work, where you, as an assistant professor, are expected to actively participate in the department's development and work environment efforts, including workplace meetings and other internal meetings and conferences. Most of the work will be carried out on site at the University of Gothenburg and you are therefore expected to be physically present at the department.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance (link) and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg. Found here (only in Swedish), under Personal-Handläggningsordning.

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in linguistics or has the corresponding research competence with clear relevance to the subject area of the position. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant Professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates.

The ability to teach in English is a requirement. The ability to teach in Swedish is meritorious.

If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you will be offered language courses as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory. The person appointed as assistant professor is expected to acquire proficiency in written and spoken Swedish at a minimum level of B2 according to CEFR within two years of the start of employment.

Qualifications for teaching in higher education in accordance with requirements at the University of Gothenburg (courses PIL101, PIL102 and PIL103) must be validated or completed within one year of the start of the employment, more information found here.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area linguistics.

Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise, secondly on teaching expertise, and thirdly on collaborative and administrative competence.

Research expertise

Research expertise is demonstrated through scholarly publications and current participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is placed on high-quality publications with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The quality, originality, and impact of publications are given greater emphasis than the total number of publications. The ability to obtain external research funding in competition is highly meritorious.

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and/or doctoral level within the subject area of the position. It is particularly meritorious to be able to teach in central areas of linguistics, such as phonetics/phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, or sociolinguistics, and to contribute to teaching in programmes and courses where linguistics intersects with language technology, communication, or other related areas. When assessing teaching expertise, special emphasis is placed on documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality.

Collaboration with the community at large and Administrative Competence

Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public.

Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, such as coordinating research or educational activities, as well as contributing to the development of the department or faculty.

Overall Assessment

A position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position targeting researchers and teachers who defended their doctoral thesis relatively recently. The position will be offered to the candidate who is assessed to have the best prospects for carrying out the duties required in the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of activities based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.

In the overall assessment, particular emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s research expertise, development potential, and ability to establish an independent research profile in linguistics with relevance to the subject’s profile in linguistic interaction. The assessment will be based on documented qualifications, ongoing work, and the description of scholarly work and pedagogical work submitted by the applicant. In this description, the applicant should explain how their research relates to the subject’s overarching profile in linguistic interaction.

Weight will also be given to documented interpersonal skills, the ability to contribute to a good academic environment, the ability to plan and organise research, and the ability to communicate research findings within and beyond academia. Extensive experience in academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.

Employment

An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer. The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor is entitled to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in the same subject area as the Assistant Professorship, provided that the individual is qualified for such an appointment and is deemed suitable following an assessment based on the established criteria for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

For promotion to senior lecturer, the assessment is based on demonstrated progression in terms of scientific and pedagogical skills. Eligibility requirements and rules regarding promotion to Senior Lecturer are described in Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg, linked above and in the Faculty of Humanities “Instructions for Applicants in connection with Promotions to and Appointments of Academically Qualified Teaching Staff other than Professors”, see link.

As an assistant professor at the University of Gothenburg, you may apply for promotion to Associate Professor (docent). For more information, please contact the department's HR officer, Jennifer Stråle (contact details below).

Moving to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents

Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg

Other information

To support a healthy work–life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: Employment benefits | University of Gothenburg

Selection process

When appointing an Assistant Professor, an assessment of all applications must be obtained from at least one external expert that is appointed after the application period has expired. The amount of time given to the external expert for their assessment depends on the number of applications received. The expert assessment is reviewed by the faculty's Teacher Proposal Committee, and then the department will convene interviews and trial lectures. Once the recruitment group has drafted a proposal for employment, it is also reviewed by the committee. The Teacher Proposal Committee meets once a month, which can result in a relatively long recruitment process for this type of position. See the process step by step below:

Interviews and trial lectures are planned to take place via Zoom between 7-11 December.

More information regarding the University’s recruitment process you will find here.

Contact information

For questions regarding the position, subject, responsibilities, or the workplace, please contact Alexander Almér, Head of Department, alexander.almer@gu.se.

For questions regarding the application, recruitment process, or employment conditions, please contact HR Officer Jennifer Stråle, jennifer.strale@gu.se.

Unions

Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.

Application

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s vacancies website, here, select the advert for this position, and follow the link marked ‘Apply’ at the bottom of the page. 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.

The application should be compiled in accordance with the instructions for qualification portfolios at the Faculty of Humanities, see link. Please note that the following documents should be attached to the application:

Please submit your application in English, as it will be reviewed by external reviewers whose working language is English.

References for candidates in the final selection may be requested.

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

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.