Umeå University aims to give the next generation of research leaders the best possible conditions to conduct cutting-edge research through the Umeå University Northern Star Fellows Programme. Through this university-wide initiative, we offer 10 early-career researchers the opportunity to develop their research over the long term through a six-year tenure-track assistant professorship, with the possibility of promotion to associate professor. All open calls in the initiative can be found here: https://www.umu.se/en/northern-star/northern-star-fellows/
Learn more about the Umeå University Northern Star Programme, a new excellence initiative designed to strengthen research quality and international competitiveness. https://www.umu.se/en/northern-star/
About the workplace
The Faculty of Social Sciences at Umeå University comprises 17 departments and units where we conduct research and provide education of high international quality, focusing on society´s current and future challenges. The faculty´s researchers contribute to the advancement of knowledge in areas such as democracy and peace, welfare, education, health, economic growth, the environment and sustainability, gender, digitalisation and the societal impact of AI. Through strong research environments and interdisciplinary perspectives, the faculty develops an in-depth understanding of social structures, societal changes and the conditions for a sustainable future. The post offers the opportunity to develop an independent research profile in an environment where scientific quality, international relevance and societal significance are central.
Subject orientation
Subject with relevance to the Faculty of Social Sciences. Department and units are listed and described here
Main work duties
The purpose of the positions is to develop an independence as researcher and to build up a track record in both research and teaching in order to meet the eligibility requirements for promotion to associate professor. The duties include actively contributing to the continued development of the research environment within your own field of research, as well as applying for external research funding.
Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and the supervision of PhD students are also included.
The post is a fixed-term, full-time position for six years and consists of at least 70 percent independent research activities with the rest consisting in teaching or other academic activities.
The place of employment is Umeå, and we expect a high level of attendance and active participation in the department´s activities.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for appointment as an assistant professor a candidate must have obtained a doctroal degree or possess equivalent academic competence. Priority should be given to candidatea who have obtained a doctoral degree or attained equivalent competence no more than seven years prior to the closing date for applications for the post as assistant professor.
However, candidates who obtained a doctoral degree or attained equivalent competence earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons refer to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave or other similar circumstances, as set out in Chapter 4, Section 4a of the Higher Education Ordinance.
The doctoral degree or equivalent academic qualifications must have been obtained in a subject area relevant to the faculty.
A very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is a requirement for the position.
Assessment criteria and the balance between them
The assessment criteria for the appointment of an assistant professor is the level of competence required for eligibility for the position.
When assessing candidates, the level of academic competence shall be the decisive factor. In addition, the level of pedagogical and other competences shall be taken into account during the assessment.
When assessing academic competence, particular emphasis shall be placed on the ability to independently conduct and publish high-quality research within one´s field of research, as well as contributions to the international research community. Particular emphasis shall also be placed on experience of leading research and successfully securing research funding in competition with others. Great emphasis shall be placed on the quality of publications in which the applicant has been the lead author.
When assessing pedagogical competence, particular emphasis shall be placed on experience of teaching and supervision.
When assessing other merits, particular emphasis shall be placed on international mobility, e.g. research visits, experience from a postdoctoral fellowship, or employment at a higher education institution other than the one at which the applicant obtained their doctoral degree. Great importance shall be attached to established collaborations within and outside academia.
General assessment criteria for all teacher categories are a good ability to cooperate and the expertise and suitability required in general to complete the work duties well.
Assessment for promotion to associate professor
An assistant professor must, on application, be promoted to associate professor if they are eligible for employment as an associate professor and are assessed to be suitable for such an appointment in accordance with the assessment criteria that apply for promotion to associate professor. Such a promotion entails indefinite employment as an associate professor.
An application for promotion must be submitted six months before the fixed-term
employment ends. If an assistant professor is not promoted after assessment, the fixed-term
employment ends.
Further details regarding the position
The position includes a resource package to enable the establishment of an independent research group. This comprises funding for a PhD student as well as operating funds.
Applicants who do not speak Swedish at the time of appointment are expected to learn basic Swedish within three years of their first day of employment.
Application
Please follow the instructions carefully. All application documents must consist of the following and be written in English:
- Personal letter
- Application template
- Copies of relevant degree certificates
- Copies of specifically cited publications
- Copies of specifically cited pedagogical merits
Eligibility requirements and assessment criteria are set out in the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Umeå University, which you can find here
The Faculty of Social Science´s instructions for applications for and expert assessment of appointment as assistant professor are found here
The recruitment process may include interviews, trial lectures and verification of references provided.
Welcome with your application!
Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 2 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100% | Ort: Umeå | Län: Västerbottens län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: AN 2026/875 | Kontakt: Xavier de Luna 090-7865559, Xavier de Luna 090-7865559, | Facklig företrädare: SEKO - , SEKO - , SACO -S , SACO -S , OFR /ST 090-7865431, OFR /ST 090-7865431, | Publicerat: 2026-07-01 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-10-01
