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.
The Department of Political Science is an international academic environment that welcomes students, researchers and staff from all over the world. Our research covers topics such as political institutions, elections, public opinion and democracy, international and European politics, environmental policy, corruption and political ideas. The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg is ranked as the leading department in Sweden and among the top 10–15 in Europe in its subject area, according to the 2024 Shanghai Ranking of Academic Subjects. We organise a large number of research seminars and workshops each year within the department’s various research areas. We offer courses at all levels in both Swedish and English. In total, around 1,400 people study with us, and we have approximately 160 staff members.
For more information about the Department, visit our website The Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg
Subject area
Political Science
Subject area description
Political Science is the study of politics.
Duties
The role involves research amounting to at least 50 per cent of a full-time position. The Assistant Professor is free to choose research topics, develop theoretical ideas, collect data and select research methods. The role includes actively seeking external funding for their own research and actively participating in the department’s research environments and seminar activities. Active participation in the international research community is also expected, through attendance at conferences and international publication.
The duties also include teaching, course coordination, supervision and assessment in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and possibly also in postgraduate education, corresponding to at least 30 per cent of a full-time position. Teaching on most programmes and courses at the department may be required. The duties also include course and programme development, as well as participation in the department’s educational development work.
The Department of Political Science is actively involved in public debate, and its responsibilities include initiating and actively engaging in collaboration with the wider community and promoting the practical application of research findings. Management duties, teaching duties and other duties within the departmental, faculty and university collegial forums may, in the long term, form part of the role.
Eligibility
Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.
Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in the subject area of the position or has the corresponding research competence. 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.
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 of the position.
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 research 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. 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.
Extensive experience in academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.
Employment
Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for five years
Extent: Full-time (100%)
Location:Department of Political Science, Gothenburg
Starting date: By agreement
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.
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.
In order to assess whether an applicant is sufficiently qualified for promotion, an assessment is carried out in accordance with the criteria for appointment as a senior lecturer applicable at the University of Gothenburg, in accordance with the Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Teaching Staff at the Faculty of Social Sciences (GU 2025/1103). In such an assessment, the following requirements for promotion also apply:
- Scientific competence must be demonstrated through high-quality scientific publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals. Publication in peer-reviewed books or book chapters is considered an asset. The applicant must also have secured external
research grants through national or international competitive processes, taken on responsibilities within the academic community through, for example, review assignments, acting as a faculty examiner or serving on an examination board, and demonstrated progression in relation to their qualifications at the start of their appointment, for example by attaining the qualification of docent.
- Pedagogical competence must be demonstrated through at least 1,600 hours of teaching, experience of course development and various teaching methods, as well as a passed university pedagogy course equivalent to PIL101–PIL103, and supervisor training
equivalent to PIL201, or a decision by the Dean regarding validation. The applicant must also have demonstrated pedagogical progression, for example through teaching at different levels, within different subject areas, or through specialisation in previous areas.
Achievements in research and teaching carry the most weight in promotion decisions and are assessed equally.
The applicant must also have demonstrated a capacity for collaboration and leadership by organising and participating in outreach scientific activities and activities in collaboration with the wider community, shown an ability to lead and organise scientific projects, teaching or other activities, and taken collegial responsibility for the department, for example through participation in assessment or working groups.
With regard to the assessment criterion of suitability, consideration is given to sound judgement in professional matters, the ability to carry out the duties included in the post, and the ability to collaborate and contribute to the development of the organisation.
Applicants must also meet the Swedish language requirement of at least level B2 according to the CEFR, as demonstrated by a passed language test or by a certificate from the Head of Department stating that a language test is clearly unnecessary.
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
The position of Assistant Professor is a career-development appointment and constitutes a step in an academic career path designed to enable researchers to develop their independence and establish their own research profile, with the right to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.
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
If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.
If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level 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.
Selection process
Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment.
As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.
The interviews are scheduled to take place between 17 December 2026 and 8 January 2027.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Lena Wängnerud, Head of the Department, lena.wangnerud@pol.gu.se
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Helena Jensen, HR Officer, helena.jensen@gu.se
Unions
Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.
Application
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. 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.
We ask that you submit your application in English, as it will be assessed by external experts whose working language is English.
Please attach the following to your application:
Résumé/CV, including complete list of publications and a list of external research grants obtained (with amounts).
- A description of your research qualifications containing:
a) A list of your top five scholarly publications. Please indicate your role and the scope of your contribution for publications co-authored with others. Co-author certificates must be attached; they must contain information about each author's contributions (quantitatively and in substance) and be signed by all co-authors. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but not yet published, a certificate must be attached proving that the article or book has been accepted for publication.
b) A brief account of your research qualifications, your research profile, and your research plans for the coming years. (Max. 2 pages.)
• Complete electronic copies of your top five scholarly publications.
- A description of your teaching qualifications containing:
a) A list of the courses and study programmes you have developed and taught (including courses and programmes at first-, second- and third-cycle levels b) A brief account of your teaching qualifications with information on scope and quality, including a self-reflection on teaching and learning in higher education. (Max. 2 pages.) c) Evidence (certificates of completion) of completed courses in teaching and learning in higher education. d) Certification of your teaching experience from the head of department, director of studies or equivalent at a minimum of one university/department where you have taught.
Electronic copies of teaching materials such as course syllabuses, reading lists, examination tasks, lecture PowerPoint slides, and instructions for students (maximum 3 documents). Refer to these documents in your account of your educational achievements and teaching qualifications (4b).
• PhD Diploma
• Other certificates and documents that you wish to cite.
Scholarly publications, articles, CVs, and the like that are not available in electronic form should be sent to:
University of Gothenburg
Department of Political Science
Attention: Helena Jensen
Box 711
SE-405 30 Göteborg
Sweden
Applications must be received by: 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.