Professor of Sociology

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Are you interested in contributing to a dynamic research environment in sociology within a multidisciplinary department?

Description

The Department of Social and Psychological Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is now accepting applications for a professor of sociology. Sociology is a well-established subject at Karlstad University, offering a PhD programme as well as courses, study programmes and cutting-edge research with a distinct sociology profile. You will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues from various disciplines, with excellent conditions for interdisciplinary research collaborations. There is a strong culture of embracing new initiatives in education and research.

Sociology is part of a multidisciplinary department that also includes social work, psychology and gender studies. The discipline includes around 20 sociologists who are engaged in both research and teaching. We participate in several research projects, as well as partnerships and networks both in Sweden and abroad. Our research spans a wide range of areas in sociology, organised into three research groups: Relationships and Everyday Interaction; Critical Studies on Age and Ageing; and Resistance, Power and Organising.

Relationships and Everyday Interaction (REVA): The research group brings together scholars with research interests in the sociology of emotions, everyday life and personal life. Participants in the group study phenomena such as death, transnational relationships, deception and singlehood. REVA’s primary aims are to promote affiliated scholars’ relevant research, as well as keeping participants up to date with cutting-edge research in our field.

Critical Studies on Age and Ageing (Cri-Ageing): The research group brings together scholars with research interests in age-related issues. Based on age as a social dimension of everyday life and society, participants in the group examines phenomena such as ageing and technology, inter-generational relations, older people and culture, lifelong learning and loneliness among older people. Studies can be based on specific age categories, such as children, adolescents and older people, but the broader perspective focused on age emphasises the relations between different age groups and allows for studies across a wide age span.

Resistance, Power and Organising: The research group brings together scholars with research interests in resistance and activism. Based in a broad definition of social movement and power, participants in the group examines questions such as the influence of activism on society and policies, how relations of power are challenged through activism/resistance, everyday actions in activism and constructive resistance.

We aim to contribute specialised research while fostering a dynamic and creative research environment with a strong sense of community. On a department level, there are also a number of multidisciplinary research projects.

The subject offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral level courses and study programmes. This includes the Bachelor’s Programme in Behavioural Science and the Master’s (120 credits) Programme in Critical Social Analysis. We have the equivalent of approximately 230 full-time students per year.

Duties

Duties include research, teaching and supervision. We are looking for applicants who want to contribute to the development of our research environment. Duties include furthering and maintaining the high quality of the subject’s courses and study programmes, research and collaboration efforts. You are expected to actively pursue external research funds and develop procedures for applications and application drafts to increase the amount of externally funded research in the subject. Duties also include applying for funding of doctoral students.

As a professor, you lead research activities as well as the development of the research environment. For that reason, we especially welcome applicants engaged in research connected to the research conducted by one or several of our three research groups. You are expected to engage in collaboration with the wider community, as well as other higher education institutions in Sweden and abroad. We expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community to contribute to a positive and vibrant work environment.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of professor of sociology, applicants are required to hold a PhD or equivalent in sociology, as well as having documented research and teaching expertise. The position requires proficiency in Swedish and English.

Pursuant to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure, teachers must have the personal qualities required to perform all duties involved in the appointment. A professor must also have completed courses in supervision and higher education pedagogy. In special circumstances, higher education pedagogy training may be completed within two years of employment. For other eligibility requirements, refer to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4 Section 3, and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure.

Assessment criteria

Equal weight will be given to research and teaching expertise.

Special weight will be given to the demonstrated ability to cooperate, strong academic leadership qualities, the ability to create a good research environment, and the ability to successfully apply for external research funding. Special weight will also be given to experience of international projects and national or international networks.

Considerable weight will be given to administrative skills and familiarity with the Nordic academic system for higher education.

Up-to-date experience in collaborating with the wider community, as well as communicating research findings and results of development work is considered a valuable qualification. Previous experience in research leadership within the research areas present within the subject is also considered a valuable qualification.

Terms

This is a permanent full-time position, starting at the earliest convenience, as agreed upon by both parties. We expect the person appointed to be physically present in our environment.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, refer to “What should be included with my application?”

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• CV
• cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and research interests in relation to the duties of the position
• an in-depth account of research experience
• an in-depth account of teaching experience
• certificate to verify completed courses in higher education pedagogy or an account of equivalent skills
• documented and successful experience in supervising doctoral students, including scope
• an account of other relevant experience
• an account of managerial and administrative experience
• plans for future work
• an account of collaborations, international network experience, etc.
• a list of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• language proficiency certificates
• copies of relevant course transcripts, degree certificates, and other certificates
• no more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programs for teaching, or popular science articles
• two references, at least one of which is a current or former supervisor

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstad University
Hanna Ljungdahl
651 88 KARLSTAD
SWEDEN

Application deadline: 19 January 2025
State ref. no: REK 2024/195
We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.

HR Excellence in Research
Karlstad University received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award September 2020. The award is issued to employers with a stimulating work environment and good conditions for researchers and its continuous improvement. The award also conveys the university’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment as well as favorable professional development for researchers. Read more: kau.se/hrs4r

1. Anna-Britt Coe, professor and head of subject, +46(0)70-8321739
2. Stefan Karlsson, director of studies, +46(0)73-3019213
3. Line Holth, head of department, +46(0)70-6457691

1. Thomas Bragefors, SACO, +46(0)54-7001714
2. Denita Gustavsson, OFR, +46(0)54-7001434