Postdoctoral Students in Arts
University of Gothenburg
Sweden
Reference number: PAR 2026/101
The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58,000 students and 6,800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.
Doctoral Position in Artistic Practice
The Artistic Faculty consists of the departments HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design and Academy of Music and Drama. As a combined faculty of art and learning, we are an independent, visionary and critical force in the necessary work to create a more sustainable and open society.
HDK-Valand invites applications to conduct artistic research at doctoral level. We welcome applications across the wide spectrum of creative practices in Photography, Literary Composition, Film, Design, Craft and Art. We have an expansive understanding of these practices and welcome multi-disciplinary projects that may draw upon more than one genre of creative practice. We also welcome proposals which seek to define or identify new forms of practice within these disciplines.
Our acclaimed academic staff have both breadth and depth in supervisory expertise across a wide range of themes and research areas.
(Please note that doctoral research across music, theatre and performance practices is provided by another institution at the University of Gothenburg, namely the Academy of Music and Drama.)
Information on:
- current and completed doctoral research projects in the Academy
- supervisory staff and their research areas
- research theme groupings within the Academy
- cotutelle (joint doctorate) opportunities
is available here:
HDK-Valand PhD Call 2026 Information Page
Research at HDK-Valand is organised in clusters that span four major areas of interest:
- Materialities and Experimental Aesthetics
- Environment: Ecological and Climate Challenges
- Economies: Organizing, Valuating and Working
- Politics, Practices and Publics
Research proposals submitted as part of the application should demonstrate a good fit with the expertise and existing research thematics of the academy.
For more information about HDK-Valand:
General information about doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg:
University of Gothenburg Doctoral Studies
Duties
Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study and lead to a doctoral degree.
As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20% of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, resulting in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels but may also include research and administration.
Within the first three calendar years after commencement of your studies, you will be required to participate in up to two months of mobility and exchange with one or more of HDK-Valand’s academic and non-academic partners. During these periods you will continue to conduct your doctoral research.
The doctoral position is an employment, and you are required to be at the workplace during normal working hours unless otherwise agreed in advance with the employer or due to illness.
General information about being a doctoral student in Sweden:
Rules and Regulations for doctoral education at the University of Gothenburg:
Rules and Regulations for Doctoral Education
Eligibility
To be considered for a position, applicants must meet the general entry requirements for doctoral (third-cycle) education in accordance with Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, and the specific entry requirements in one of the two general syllabi: Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts.
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must have:
- achieved a second-level qualification, or
- completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
- acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.
Specific Entry Requirements for Artistic Practice
Applicants must demonstrate:
- a documented specialization of study including subjects oriented towards relevant issues in Artistic Practice
- an independent project (thesis) comprising at least 30 higher education credits, or equivalent projects relevant to doctoral studies in Artistic Practice
- documented ability to work with artistic practice at a high level
- genuine artistic experience in the field of research
- documented interest in reflection, research-related issues and processes
- documented experience in academic writing or equivalent qualified text production demonstrating research-like stringency
Equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad may also satisfy these requirements.
Assessment Criteria
Selection will be based on the applicant’s ability to benefit from doctoral education and make optimal use of the programme.
Successful applicants must:
- demonstrate a track record of accomplishment and artistic innovation within their field(s) of artistic/creative practice
- provide a clear research project proposal that:demonstrate ability to think critically and explain the importance of the proposed research project
- identifies and contextualises a clear research task
- includes relevant practical and theoretical research methods
- includes a timetable of planned actions and milestones
- shows the project’s potential contribution to the field
- indicates how the project relates to existing research expertise and thematics at the academy
- demonstrate understanding of the role of doctoral researcher and the nature of PhD employment
- show potential to contribute to the wider research environment and educational mission of the academy
Please note that the recruitment committee will review the research proposal with special attention to novelty and feasibility.
The selection process may include interviews for shortlisted applicants.
Admission and Employment
Once admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.
The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in:
The Swedish Higher Education Ordinance SFS 1993:100
Employment Conditions
- Initial employment may apply for a maximum of one year
- Renewals may be granted for up to two years at a time
- Maximum employment duration: eight years
- Total study period corresponds to four years of full-time doctoral education
Start date: 18 January 2027
Current salary: SEK 32,300 per month before tax
Please note that doctoral studies at HDK-Valand require physical presence in Gothenburg, Sweden.
If the admitted applicant requires a residence permit for higher education in Sweden, HDK-Valand may revoke the admission decision if a valid residence permit cannot be presented by the start of studies.
Contact Information
Questions Regarding the Position
Anna Frisk
Senior Doctoral Education Officer
Email: anna.frisk@gu.se
Questions Regarding the Recruitment Process
HR Function at HDK-Valand
Email: hr@hdk-valand.gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
Union Representatives Information
Application
Applications must be submitted via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.
Applications should be submitted in English or Swedish.
Application deadline: 5 August 2026 at 24:00 Swedish Time
Submit digital materials only. Please do not send physical artefacts or other materials by post unless specifically requested later in the process.
Application Requirements
The application must use the official application template provided as a PDF:
Application Template and Guidelines
PART A
Maximum 2 pages. Includes:
- summary of the proposed research project
- proposed contribution to knowledge
- contexts of existing knowledge-practice
- relevant HDK-Valand research cluster and justification
PART B
Includes:
- expanded research project description (maximum 6 pages)
- timeline (1 page)
- bibliography
- list of artistic/creative portfolio items
- sample of written work
- CV and qualifications
- professional artistic/creative works
- teaching experience description
- other required materials
Additional Required Materials
- degrees and academic certificates
- digital documentation of artistic/creative practice
- online portfolio links or digital portfolio
- showreels/audio-media examples under 12 minutes unless otherwise requested
Information Session: How to Prepare an Application for a PhD Position
Date: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Time: 16:30–19:00
Format: Online via Zoom
Topics include:
- structure of PhD studies at HDK-Valand
- application template guidance
- preparing a research proposal
- digital documentation of practice
- eligibility criteria
- selection process and evaluation criteria
Pre-registration is required:
Registration Form for Information Session
Information for International Applicants
Information about living and working in Gothenburg:
University of Gothenburg Welcome Services
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. Documents may be returned upon request after the two-year period; otherwise, they will be destroyed.
In connection with this recruitment, the University has already decided which recruitment channels will be used and therefore declines further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com
