Ref PAR 2023/825

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 scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Languages and Literatures is the Faculty of Humanities’ largest department, offering 14 different languages, with around 110 employees, approximately 1250 full-time equivalents (students) and an annual turnover of approximately SEK 110 million. The Department’s research deals with world languages and literatures based on a broad contextualisation and a broad spectrum of theoretical foundations and specific applications.

Subject area 

Associate Senior Lecturer English specialising in linguistics

Subject area description 

The subject area of English is guided by the power to grant degrees at all levels including doctoral education (third-cycle studies) in linguistics and literary studies. In addition to freestanding courses, the subject area is included in various courses and study programmes at the Department, such as the Master’s Programme in Language and Intercultural Communication, the Secondary Teacher Education Programme and the Nordic Master’s programme for Language Teachers. The subject area offers both on-campus and online courses and is investing in expanding online teaching and blended learning within on-campus courses. Research in English is mainly conducted in linguistics and literary studies. In addition, research in the subject area is also part of the Department’s general research areas.

Duties 

An associate senior lecturer must be given the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and teacher, and to gain further qualifications in research as well as in teaching and learning in order to fulfil the requirements for employment as a senior lecturer. Duties include at least 50 per cent of working hours for research according to the established research plan in English linguistics and at most 50 per cent for teaching and administration.

The teaching component can include teaching at all levels, on campus and online, and scheduled in during the day or the evening. Courses may range from English linguistics to academic communication and culture, in freestanding courses as well as in the Language and Intercultural Communication programme. Teaching within the Secondary Teacher Education Programme is also included and involves courses in didactics and visits and seminars in connection with placements (VFU). Teaching also includes supervision, seminars, course coordination, course administration and course development, etc. Teaching in the Department’s other general courses and study programmes may also be relevant, as well as duties of an administrative nature. The subject area also includes contrastive linguistics courses, which is why a good knowledge of Swedish must be acquired during the four-year associate senior lectureship. The position may also include other duties, such as administrative duties and development work.

An associate senior lecturer is expected to follow developments within their subject area and actively apply for external research funding and also participate in the Department’s development activities in both research and teaching and learning. The applicant must therefore describe in their application how their own research can promote and contribute to the Department’s areas of research.

The majority of the work is performed at the University of Gothenburg and the holder of the position is expected to be present and actively participate in the Department’s development and occupational health and safety work, such as workplace gatherings and other internal meetings and conferences. Work within the subject area is carried out in a teaching team and the successful candidate is expected to contribute constructively to the subject area and to the entire Department in a spirit of collegiality. 

Qualifications

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg. 

A person qualified for appointment as an associate senior lecturer is a person who has been awarded a PhD in a relevant subject area or has the corresponding research expertise.

Primary consideration should be given to a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within five years of the deadline for applications for employment as an associate senior lecturer. However, a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

The ability to teach in English is a requirement.

Applicant assessment criteria

Assessment criteria for appointment as teaching staff are specified in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 4 Sections 3 and 4 and in the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

The most important criteria in the assessment of applications are teaching expertise and research expertise.

In assessing the applicant’s qualifications, equal attention will be given to the assessment of their teaching expertise as to their research expertise. In terms of research expertise, particular emphasis is placed on the applicant’s doctoral thesis, research and teaching experience, and research plan. This research plan should be a maximum of 3,000 words long (excluding references).

In the selection process, documented qualifications in the following areas will be taken into account in particular:

• research expertise in the position’s subject area, demonstrated through research and development work, and through scholarly publications
• teaching expertise in the subject area, for example demonstrated through experience in the planning and teaching – both on campus and online or supervision and examination – of various types of courses in the subject area
• very good ability to teach in English
• participation in the national and international research community, for example through participation in international conferences and collaborations.

Qualifications in teaching and learning in higher education are considered a plus.

Emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s ability to hold a trial lecture in English in the given subject and to participate in an interview in English and discuss their research and teaching experience orally.

In addition, emphasis will be placed on the personal cover letter in which the applicant describes their career development so far and their plans for the future. The letter should also describe how the planned research relates to the Department’s research areas.

The successful candidate will be the candidate who is assessed to be the best qualified to perform and develop the duties required in the appointment based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.

Promotion to senior lecturer

Before the end of the term of the appointment, the associate senior lecturer may apply for promotion to senior lecturer, indefinite-term appointment. The assessment will then be based on demonstrated progression in their research expertise and teaching expertise, where the applicant must be able to show:

• the acquisition of research qualifications which, both quantitatively and qualitatively, substantially exceed what is required for the Degree of Doctor
• high-quality scholarly articles, published in very reputable national and international journals and/or publishing houses
• the ability to actively and independently seek external funding
• the ability to supervise or assist in the supervision of students at different levels
• Good ability to teach in Swedish
• Very good ability to teach in English
• successful completion of all courses in teaching and learning in higher education (PIL101, PIL102 and PIL103);
• successful completion of the course in doctoral supervision (PIL 201).

In the assessment, particular emphasis will be placed on the work carried out during the time the applicant has been employed as an associate senior lecturer. In addition, the applicant must have performed these duties in a satisfactory manner. A written application for assessment for promotion to senior lecturer must be submitted no later than six months before the end of the appointment as associate senior lecturer. If these requirements are met and the applicant is deemed suitable, they are to be promoted. The application for promotion may only be made once.

Other information about the position

If the applicant lacks qualifications in teaching and learning in higher education in accordance with the requirements of the University of Gothenburg (PIL101, PIL102 and PIL103) at the time of application, such qualifications must be validated or the specified courses completed within one year from the start of the appointment (https://pil.gu.se/resurser/meriter).

Knowledge of Swedish is not a requirement at the time of the appointment to the position, but the applicant must be prepared to take on administrative and pedagogical tasks that require an understanding and use of Swedish. After four years as an associate senior lecturer, the holder of the post must also be able to teach in Swedish.

Apply for this position via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal by clicking published on the the “Apply” button. The applicant is also referred to the Faculty of Humanities document: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/digitalAssets/1771/1771040_anvisningar-ovrig-larare-ansokan-180402-eng.pdf

If you have scholarly publications, manuscripts and the like which cannot be attached to your application in electronic form, please contact personalhandlaggare@sprak.gu.se. 

Please attach the following to your application:

• Personal cover letter
• Research plan
• List of degrees and employment history (CV)
• Description of research and teaching work, including a reflection on your approach to research and teaching and learning
• Portfolio of qualifications I: Research qualifications
• Portfolio of qualifications II: Teaching qualifications
• Portfolio of qualifications III: Management and administrative qualifications
• Portfolio of qualifications IV: Record of third-stream activities
• Cited publications (max. 5), and separate list of the publications
• Your doctoral degree certificate
• Doctoral thesis
• Referees: names and telephone numbers of at least two referees.

In addition to subject specialist review, an interview, trial lecture and contacting of referees will also form the basis for assessing your application. The trial lecture is held in English and the subsequent interview is conducted in English.

Your application should preferably be written in English as it may be reviewed by international subject specialists who have English as their working language.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that their submitted application is complete by the end of the application period. An incomplete application will be assessed on the basis of the documents submitted by the last day for applications.

Position

Number: One

Form of employment: Fixed-term employment, 4 years

Percentage of full-time employment: 100 per cent

Location: Department Of Languages And Literatures, Gothenburg

Start date: As soon as possible or by agreement

Contact details for the position

Information about the position is available from the Head of Department, Katharina Vajta (prefektSPL@sprak.gu.se), or the Director of Studies, Anna-Lena Fredriksson (anna-lena.fredriksson@sprak.gu.se).

Questions about the recruitment procedure may be sent to personalhandlaggare@sprak.gu.se 

Unions 

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

Applications must be received by: 2023-09-25

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/ 

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. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
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