Postdoctoral Fellow in Sociology

at the Swedish Institute for Social Research. Closing date: 15 November 2023.

The Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI, www.sofi.su.se) is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University. The institute is an internationally leading research institute in the field of social policy, welfare, inequality and labour markets and has about 110 employees.

Project description
The postdoctoral position is part of the research programme “Sustainable synergies” (www.su.se/english/research/research-projects/sustainable-synergies). The aim of the programme is to study how social policy and the welfare state can be developed to support a sustainable working life for everyone, based on both internationally comparative research and in-depth analyses of Sweden and the Nordic countries. In focus are the transitions that individuals make during their working life (for instance between work and parenting leave, or between studies and work), and the programme examines how the interplay between different social policies can support successful transitions for different groups in the labour market.

Main responsibilities
The postdoctoral research will be part of a work package on career interruptions in relation to childbearing. Research has shown that parenting leave policies can contribute to both working-life exclusion and inclusion, and that the degree to which they do so can vary depending on gender, social class and migration background. The postdoctoral researcher will work independently as well as with senior colleagues to disentangle the mechanisms at play here. Of interest are inter alia the interplay between parenting leave policies and policies designed for other working-life transitions, for instance if earlier school-to-work programmes shape child-related career interruptions or how these interruptions relate to later retirement and pensions.

The Postdoctoral researcher will work on population register data for the Nordic countries (excl. Iceland) to study policy synergies and interrelationships in a most-similar-case country comparison.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The applicant must hold a doctoral degree in sociology or a related discipline. The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

The following assessment criteria will be used:

• The quality of earlier research and qualifications;
• The degree to which the applicant’s research plan and previous research support the overall goals of the work package and the Sustainable synergies programme;
• Skills and experience relevant for the analysis of career interruptions in relation to childbearing, socio-economic inequalities, and social policy, in particular using quantitative data analysis;
• The applicant should be fluent in spoken and written English.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2024-01-15 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Marie Evertsson, telephone: +46 8 16 26 98, marie.evertsson@su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 2 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the work package described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the work package in question
  – what makes you suitable for the work package in question
• Copy of PhD diploma, or statement on planned graduation date.
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.