Doctoral student in Linguistics (English, Linguistics, Russian or Swedish/Scandinavian languages)

Organisation/Company

Umeå universitet

Department

Umeå University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Research Field

Language sciences » Languages

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline

6 Mar 2026 - 22:59 (UTC)

Country

Sweden

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Umeå University develops arts and humanities and invests in future Areas of Excellence. 

The Department of Language Studies invites applications for the doctoral training programme in Linguistics (English, Linguistics, Russian or Swedish/Scandinavian languages)

The Department of Language Studies is a creative and dynamic institution offering inspiring education based on a scientific foundation and pioneering research within a wide range of subjects. The department provides education and conducts research in linguistics, Swedish/Scandinavian languages, modern languages and literatures (English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish), Sami (language and culture), language didactics, and educational work with focus on language and learning.

Short description of the subject and the intended applicant

The research discipline Linguistics is focused on studies of a general nature as well as on specific language areas. Research proposals should be connected to our supervisors´ areas of expertise . In the project application you should demonstrate how your project is connected to the department’s research and supervisors. You will find more information about the doctoral training program here .

As a PhD student, you formulate your own research plan in English, Linguistics, Russian or Swedish/Scandinavian languages and independently develop your dissertation project in consultation with your supervisors. Your supervisors are assigned based on the project's focus. You will have continuous supervision and follow-ups with your supervisors as well as with the Director of Doctoral Studies. You will be a part of the department's research environment where you are expected to contribute through active participation in seminars, research networks, academic gatherings and conferences. You will also take part in other meetings and gatherings at the department, such as workplace meetings and staff days.

Qualifications

General requirements
To be admitted to studies at the third-cycle level, i.e. doctoral education, the applicant must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements. General requirements: a Master’s or equivalent degree in a relevant field, having completed course requirements worth at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle (Master’s) level, or in some other way – either in Sweden or abroad – having acquired equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements
In order to meet the specific eligibility requirements for admission to studies in literature at the third cycle level, the applicant must have completed at least 120 credits at second-cycle level in a subject of central relevance for the research area; these need to include a 15-credit essay. See general study plan.

Assessment criteria

Applicants are ranked with reference to their capacity to benefit from and complete the programme. The assessment is based primarily on prior study results, with particular consideration given to essays, and the quality of the research plan and its relevance for the subject area. The assessment is also based on references and interviews, and additional possible evaluations of the main candidates.

The degree must be completed at the latest at the end of the application period.

Terms of employment

Doctoral students will mainly devote themselves to their own doctoral studies. Employment as a doctoral student will be for the time deemed necessary for the completion of doctoral studies at a normal rate of study, which corresponds to a full-time position for four years. An initial contract of twelve months is extended with up to two years at a time provided that the individual study plan is followed. A doctoral student may, to a limited extent, also work with teaching and administration up to a maximum of 20 percent of a full-time position. The period of employment may thus be extended up to a maximum of five years. The entry level salary is SEK 33,100 and rises in three steps to SEK 39,200. 

Additional information

Doctoral students are affiliated with a research school, normally the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Doctoral College . The studies are coordinated with the doctoral training program at the Department of Language Studies.

The doctoral studies begin at the start of the autumn semester, 31 August 2026. The place of work is Umeå University. The doctoral students are expected to contribute actively to the research environment. 

According to The Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 12, Section 2, a decision of appointment for a doctoral student position may not be appealed.

You are admitted to studies at the third-cycle level in Linguistcs at Umeå University. In case a residence permit is required for your stay in Sweden, the university reserves the right to revoke your admission if you are not granted a residence permit, or - if the date for the start of studies has been decided - if you cannot present a valid residence permit before the start date of the studies. The latest possible start date is 31 August 2026. 

Application

The application must be written in Swedish or English, and must contain:

• A degree certificate, transcript from the Ladok student registry, and/or equivalent attested copies of your academic transcripts proving that general and specific entry requirements are met.
• Curriculum vitae, including name and contact information of two reference persons.
• Copies of relevant Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and other relevant publications.
• A letter that states your motivation for undertaking doctoral studies, and that specifies what expertise at the department is needed for carrying out your research.
• Research plan – should normally not exceed 30,000 characters including spaces – that contains a description of the proposed: 
  - purpose and research problem;
  - previous research;
  - implementation, that is, method, material and theory;
  - relevance; and
  - time plan.
• Research proposals should be connected to our supervisors´ areas of expertise.

Your Your application must be registered in Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi no later than 6 March 2026.

Please note: the Swedish version is the official version of this advertisement. In the case of any differences in information between this and the official version, it is the official version that is the legally correct version of the advertisement for these doctoral student positions.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Website

https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:874957/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Research Field

Language sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Language sciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Umeå universitet

Country

Sweden

City

Umeå

Geofield

City

Umeå

Website

http://www.umu.se/english/about-umu/open-positions?languageId=1

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