Senior Lecturer in Social Work

Göteborgs universitet möter samhällets utmaningar med mångsidig kunskap. 56 000 studenter och 6 600 medarbetare gör universitetet till en stor och inspirerande arbetsplats. Stark forskning och attraktiva utbildningar lockar forskare och studenter från hela världen. Med ny kunskap och nya perspektiv bidrar Göteborgs universitet till en bättre framtid.

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 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.

Subject area 

Social work.

Subject area description 

Social work includes studying the living conditions and experiences of people in socially vulnerable situations. Writing and the use of language in different forms and contexts are central to the practice of social work. Social work involves studying the causes and consequences of social problems, as understood at individual, group and societal levels. Social work is the main subject at first-, second- and third-cycle levels.

Duties 

The duties of an Assistant Senior Lecturer include conducting research equivalent to at least 50 per cent of full time. This includes choosing research questions, developing theoretical ideas, collecting data and choosing research methods. The position also includes actively seeking external funding for own research and actively participating in the department's research environments and seminar activities.

Education in the form of preparation for, implementation of, and follow-up work on various forms of teaching at undergraduate level, advanced level and possibly in doctoral education.  Course and programme development, course responsibility, course administration and other pedagogical work are also included in the position.

Eligibility 

Qualified to be employed as Associate Senior Lecturer in Social Work are those who

• have completed a doctoral degree in social work or have equivalent scientific competence in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (HF Chapter 4, Section 12 a) and the Employment Regulations for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg (GU 2024/3252).
• Proven teaching expertise

Preference should be given to those who have completed a doctoral degree or have equivalent scientific competence no more than five years before the last day of application for the position of associate senior lecturer. However, those who have obtained a doctoral degree or equivalent qualifications more than five years before the application deadline may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons include, for example, leave due to illness, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria 

According to the Employment Regulations for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg (GU 2024/3252), the applicant shall be selected who, after a weighted assessment of skills and development potential, is considered to have the best prerequisites for carrying out the tasks included in the employment. Merit evaluation will be carried out only among eligible applicants.

Since equal attention will be paid to the assessment of teaching and research skills, equal weight should be given to the presentation of both teaching and research merits.

Applicants must have a good ability to teach in Swedish/Scandinavian language and also be able to teach in English.

Scientific competence
Scientific competence is demonstrated through scientific publications and ongoing participation in national and/or international research collaborations and the ability to obtain external research funding. Particular emphasis will be placed on documented research merits with clear relevance to social work. Particular emphasis will also be placed on the quality of the attached research plan. The research plan must clearly show how the project relates to and contributes to social work as a field of knowledge and research.

Teaching skills
Teaching skills are demonstrated by documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, workshops, distance learning, supervision) at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Particular emphasis will be placed on teaching experience in the field of social work, or areas with clear relevance to social work.

Collaboration with the surrounding society
Collaboration with the surrounding society will be emphasised, e.g. research collaboration and research communication

Suitability
The applicant's ability to co-operate internally and externally to carry out the tasks described will be taken into account when assessing suitability for the post.

Overall assessment
It is important that the successful candidate is able to contribute both scientifically and pedagogically.  The overall assessment tests the ability to collaborate, internally and externally, which is central to contributing to the academic development of the organisation and the subject. The overall assessment also examines suitability, which means that the applicant must demonstrate the personal qualities required to fulfil the duties of the position well.

In the overall assessment of the evaluation criteria, in addition to the evaluation criteria taken into account in peer review, scientific and teaching expertise shall be assessed first. Consideration shall also be given to management skills, administrative skills, interaction with the surrounding community, and suitability.

Other
An Associate Senior Lecturer is entitled, upon application no later than six months before the expiry of the fixed-term employment, to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in the subject area if he/she is qualified for such employment. In order to assess suitability, an assessment is made in accordance with the assessment criteria for employment as a senior lecturer that apply at the University of Gothenburg in accordance with the Instructions for employment and promotion of teachers at the Faculty of Social Sciences (GU 2025/1103). In such an assessment, the following requirements for promotion also apply:

Scientific expertise is demonstrated through own research published in the form of articles in journals where a peer-review procedure has preceded publication. The scientific merit must have reached the level of docent competence.

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through completion of a university teaching programme established by the Vice-Chancellor. This is a requirement for promotion.

Employment 

Fixed-term employment for four years with the possibility of promotion to senior lecturer and a permanent position. The position is 100%, with placement until further notice at the Department of Social Work. Access according to agreement.

Selection process 

The purpose of the position of associate senior lecturer is to give the teacher the opportunity to develop his or her independence as a researcher and to gain both scientific and pedagogical merit in order to fulfil the requirements for eligibility for a position as senior lecturer. Therefore, it will not be relevant to employ persons who already hold a permanent employment as senior lecturer in the same or equivalent subject area at any Swedish higher education institution.

The recruitment process may include test lectures, interviews and reference checks. In the interviews, you as an applicant will be given the opportunity to describe and develop your own view of the subject and of your possible future role at the department. These elements will also, where appropriate, form the basis for the assessment.

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Therése Wissö, Deputy Head of Department therese.wisso@socwork.gu.se

If you have questions about the recruitment procedure, please contact Ebba Ståhl, personnel officer ebba.stahl@socwork.gu.se

We are not available for questions due to holidays during the period 2/7-10/8 . We will reply as soon as we are back.

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande 

Application 

You apply for the position via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button. The application should contain relevant information and supporting documents for the assessment of the criteria specified under "Basis for assessment".

1. Curriculum vitae/CV, including a full list of publications and a statement of external funding received (with amounts).
2. A description of your scientific qualifications including:
   a) A list of a maximum of 10 scientific publications. For the selected co-authored publications, please indicate your role and the extent of your contribution. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but not yet published, a certificate of accepted publication must be attached.
   b) Research plan of maximum 3 pages
   
   
3. Full electronic copies of up to ten scientific publications.
   
   
4. A statement of your teaching qualifications containing:
   a) A list of the courses and training programmes you have developed and taught at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate level.
   b) a description of your pedagogical competences and qualifications with information on their scope and quality
   c) A description of your teaching material production (textbooks and other teaching material).
   d) A pedagogical self-reflection on your teaching philosophy and practice (maximum 3 pages).
   e) A certificate of your higher education pedagogical training if available.
   f) A certificate of your teaching experience from a head of department/director of studies or equivalent at at least one university/institution.
   
   
5. Full copies of a maximum of three pieces of work from any teaching material you have produced.
   
   
6. Certificate of employment from your current job
   
   
7. Other certificates and documents that you wish to refer to

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the vacancy notice and instructions and for registering it by the closing date. Evidence of the qualifications claimed must be provided.

Publications that cannot be attached digitally to the application must be sent in two identical copies to

University of Gothenburg
Department of Social Work
Att: Ebba Ståhl
Box 720
405 30 Göteborg
Please state reference number

Do not forget to state the reference number PAR2025/472 on the envelope.

Applications must be received by: 2025-09-30 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

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