Assistant Professor in Public Administration

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 position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position intended to give the appointee the opportunity to develop their teaching and research expertise. At the end of the appointment, an Assistant Professor may apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer. If the Assistant Professor is deemed suitable and fulfils the requirements for promotion, they shall be promoted and given a permanent position as Senior Lecturer.

More information about the department is available on our website gu.se/en/public-administration.

Subject area

Public Administration

Subject area description

The School of Public Administration conducts education, research and collaboration within the subject of public administration. Public administration is a multidisciplinary field of research that studies the organisation, governance and functioning of the public sector and its relationship to society, integrating theories and methods from several social science disciplines. Research and education in public administration at the department are conducted mainly within three areas: politics, democracy and public administration; public sector accounting and financial management; and organisation, management and society.

The School of Public Administration currently hosts research projects on, among other things, administration and bureaucracy, professions, the location of public services, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, energy policy, public procurement, local democracy, financial management and control, migration and work integration, and legal perspectives on public administration. More information about our researchers and ongoing research can be found on our website: Our Research

The School of Public Administration has a long tradition of research on local politics and administration and of collaboration with the surrounding community. This environment is strengthened by the long-standing Partnership for Collaboration, Education and Research (PACER), which brings together the School of Public Administration, municipalities and Region Västra Götaland in research, education and collaboration.

The School of Public Administration’s programmes in public administration comprise bachelor’s and master’s programmes, doctoral education and commissioned education. The School of Public Administration is also responsible for courses within the Pre-school Teacher Programme and the National School Leadership Training Programme.

The School of Public Administration welcomes both applicants who wish to join some of our existing research areas and applicants who wish to develop other areas within the subject of public administration.

Duties

The duties of an Assistant Professor in public administration consist of research to one half and teaching to one half. The teaching component may also include administrative duties.

The duties comprise:

Research within the subject of public administration. The Assistant Professor is free to choose research questions, develop theoretical ideas, collect data and select research methods. The duties include actively applying for external international and national research funding and actively participating in the department’s research environments and seminar activities. The Assistant Professor is also expected to take part in the international scholarly conversation through participation in conferences and through international publication with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals.

Teaching, course coordination, supervision and examination in courses at first-cycle and second-cycle level in public administration. Teaching within third-cycle (doctoral) education may also become relevant. Teaching in most of the department’s programmes and courses may be considered. The duties also include course and programme development and participation in the department’s educational development work.

Collaboration with the wider community.

Active participation in the continued development of the department and its academic environment in Gothenburg.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as a teacher is set out in Chapter 4, Sections 3–4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg (GU 2024/1687).

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in public administration or in another subject area relevant to the position in which the public administration perspective is central, such as sociology, social work, political science or business administration, 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 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. 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.

Participation in commissioned education, the performance of qualified research-related review assignments within the public sector, networking activities directed at public administrations, and a documented ability to communicate research findings to the public are all considered meritorious.

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.

Considerable weight will be given to the applicant’s intention and ability to participate actively in the academic environment at the School of Public Administration in Gothenburg.

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.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor is entitled to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in public administration, upon application submitted no later than six months before the fixed-term employment expires, provided that the individual is qualified for such an appointment and is deemed suitable following an assessment based on the assessment criteria for appointment as Senior Lecturer that apply at the University of Gothenburg in accordance with the Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Teachers at the Faculty of Social Sciences (GU 2025/1103). The following requirements also apply in such an assessment:

The applicant must have demonstrated a high level of research expertise through:

Scholarly publication of good quality in leading international peer-reviewed journals. In addition, scholarly publication of good quality in peer-reviewed books or book chapters is also meritorious.

Documented and recurring applications for external research funding in international and/or national competition. Obtaining such funding is highly meritorious.

Taking responsibility for the research community, for example by having undertaken review assignments, acted as faculty opponent or served as a member of an examining committee.

Progression in relation to the applicant’s research qualifications at the beginning of the employment as Assistant Professor, for example by attaining the qualifications required for the title of docent (associate professor).

The applicant must have demonstrated a high level of teaching expertise through:

Teaching amounting to at least 1,600 hours.

Experience of course development and of different forms of teaching.

Completed and approved training in teaching and learning in higher education (courses PIL101–PIL103, or a decision by the Dean on validation) and supervisor training (PIL201, or a decision by the Dean on validation).

Progression in relation to the applicant’s teaching expertise at the beginning of the employment as Assistant Professor, for example through experience of teaching at different levels, in different subject areas, or through deepened expertise within previously covered areas.

The applicant must have demonstrated collaborative and leadership ability through:

Having organised and participated in outward-facing academic activities, for example workshops, panels or conferences.

Having organised and participated in outward-facing activities in collaboration with the wider community, for example conferences with decision-makers, service users or organisations, or other activities directed at the general public.

Having demonstrated the ability to lead and organise academic projects, education or other activities.

Having taken collegial responsibility for the department, for example through participation in assessment groups and working groups.

The applicant must demonstrate personal suitability through:

Good judgement in professional matters, the ability to perform the duties included in the position, and the ability to cooperate and contribute to the development of activities.

The applicant must fulfil the following language requirement:

Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the CEFR. This is demonstrated by a passed language test, the requirements of which are described here (common-european-framework-reference-language-skills), or by a certificate from the Head of Department stating that the language test is manifestly 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

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.

Interviews are planned to take place during December 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact the Head of Department, Vicki Johansson, telephone +46 31 786 15 96 or email Vicki.Johansson@spa.gu.se.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Maria Utterhall, HR Officer, maria.utterhall@spa.gu.se, +46 31 786 29 66.

Unions

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

Applications

You apply for the position through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline.

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

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

The following documents must be attached to the application:

1. A cover letter stating why you are applying for the position. In the letter, you should describe how your research and teaching fit into the subject of public administration in general, as well as how you intend to contribute to the School of Public Administration’s existing research areas and study programmes and/or to contribute new perspectives that would enrich the environment. Please also provide a detailed account of how you intend to contribute actively to the School of Public Administration’s academic environment through by being actively present at the department in Gothenburg.

2. A curriculum vitae (CV), including a complete list of publications and an account of external research funding obtained (with amounts).

3. A research plan. The plan must clearly relate to the research area of the position and must be capable of being developed into at least one competitive research grant application.

4. A description of your research qualifications, containing:

a) A list of your five most important scholarly publications. State your role and the extent of your contribution in the case of publications that are co-authored with others. Co-authorship certificates must be attached; these must contain information about each author’s contribution (quantitative and substantive) and be signed by all co-authors. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published, a certificate confirming that the publication has been accepted for publication must be attached.

b) A brief account of your research qualifications, your research profile and your research plans for the coming years. (Maximum 2 pages.)

5. Complete electronic copies of up to ten of your most important scholarly publications.

6. A description of your teaching qualifications, containing:

a) A list of the courses and study programmes you have developed and taught on (including courses and programmes at first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle level).

b) A brief account of your teaching qualifications, with information on both extent and quality, including a pedagogical self-reflection. (Maximum 2 pages.)

c) A certificate of completed training in teaching and learning in higher education.

d) A certificate of your teaching experience from the head of department, director of studies or equivalent at at least one university/department.

7. Electronic copies of teaching materials, such as course syllabi, reading lists, examination assignments, lecture slides and instructions to students (maximum 3 documents). Refer to these documents in your account of your teaching qualifications (6b).

8. Certificates of employment.

9. Doctoral degree certificate.

10. Any other documents that you as an applicant wish to invoke.

Publications that cannot be attached to the application electronically should be sent in two copies to: University of Gothenburg, School of Public Administration, att: Maria Utterhall, Box 712, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden, stating PAR 2026/577.

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.