Associate senior lecturer in English language education or English literature education

Description

Karlstad University conducts internationally recognised research in subject-specific education (often referred to as subject didactic research) of the highest quality. Karlstad University and the research environment Research on Subject-specific Education (ROSE) are now announcing four career-development positions, one of which has a focus on English language education or English literature education. We are seeking internationally recognised researchers with a doctoral degree, and preferably postdoctoral experience, who are interested in contributing to the development of the emerging field of subject-specific school development. We offer a vibrant workplace with students, staff and visitors from all over the world, as well as generous annual holiday, wellness allowance and a favourable occupational pension scheme.

ROSE represents one of Karlstad University’s key profile areas, where subject didactic research is conducted from a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective. ROSE comprises approximately 50 senior and junior researchers, as well as around 30 doctoral students. As part of a government initiative to promote excellence in schools, Karlstad University, through ROSE and in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, is establishing a leading international knowledge hub, the Centre for Teaching and Learning in Schools (CTL). Research within this hub aims to establish a new field of research, subject-specific school development, integrating three areas of research: subject-specific education, educational assessment and conditions for learning, and school leadership.

The work environment

You will be employed within the discipline of English at the Department of Language, Literature and Intercultural Studies and affiliated with the research environment ROSE (kau.se/rose). The discipline of English at Karlstad University is a well-established, medium-sized unit that includes a doctoral programme. The educational offering includes courses within the teacher education programmes, a master’s programme, freestanding courses and courses in English for Specific Purposes. Teaching includes both on-campus and distance learning courses. Research and the PhD programme in English at Karlstad University specialise in both English literature and linguistics.

Duties

The purpose of this appointment is to provide the candidate with the opportunity to increase their status as an independent researcher, as well as acquire further research and teaching qualifications in order to meet the requirements for a permanent position as senior lecturer.

You will join a group of four associate senior lecturers in subject-specific education who, together with a dynamic and innovative research team, are shaping this emerging field of research. You will develop and implement teaching innovations specifically related to education in English language or English literature. The position includes 50–100% research time. The position may include teaching duties, should the department have a need for this and provided that such duties do not compromise the research activities to be carried out within the appointment. Teaching duties may include supervision, assessment and participation in course development and administration.

The role requires a high level of commitment, personal initiative and the ability to work collaboratively with others. Duties also include collaborating with the wider community for a mutual exchange, as well as working towards ensuring that the knowledge and expertise available at the university is of benefit to society.

You are expected to contribute to the continued development of ROSE, CTL and the subject didactics research environment at Karlstad University. This requires your active presence and participation in the day-to-day activities, which contribute to a positive and creative work environment.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of associate senior lecturer, applicants are required to hold a PhD or equivalent scientific qualifications in English with a specialisation in linguistics or literature. The position is primarily intended for applicants who have completed their PhD, or acquired equivalent qualifications, no longer than 7 years before the application deadline. If an applicant completed their PhD or corresponding competence more than seven years ago, this requirement may be waived if there are special circumstances. By special circumstances, we refer to special grounds such as sick leave, parental leave or similar types of leave.

Additional qualification requirements in accordance with Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure:

• Ability to conduct high-quality research, and to develop the research required for appointment as a senior lecturer
• Demonstrated teaching skills with the potential to develop the level of teaching expertise required for appointment as a senior lecturer
• Ability to collaborate with the wider community and disseminate information about activities and results

The position requires good oral and written proficiency in English and Swedish, or another Scandinavian language. A candidate who does not meet this requirement may still be hired provided they actively work to acquire these language skills. 

Applicants are also required to have completed training in higher education pedagogy. Candidates who have not completed courses in higher education pedagogy may still be hired, provided that they use the time allotted to continual professional development to complete the required courses within two years of employment, or that they apply for validation of prior learning.

In addition, all employees at Karlstad University are expected to demonstrate strong collaborative skills and to treat colleagues and students with respect. They are also expected to take responsibility for both the organisation and their own work, and to contribute to a positive work environment. For more information on qualification requirements, please refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure

• Appointments Procedure at Karlstad University (pdf)

Assessment criteria

Assessment will be based on an overall evaluation of the applicant’s research expertise, teaching expertise, and collaboration and administrative skills.

Special weight will be given to

• The applicant’s current and independent research in English language or English literature education
• Experience and ability to lead research projects and conduct strategic development work within research
• Personal qualities such as strong collaboration skills, creative thinking and the ability to take initiative

Considerable weight will be given to

• Demonstrated and current ability to publish research of a high international standard
• Demonstrated experience of studies including different research methods
• Demonstrated ability to secure research funding in competition with others

Weight will be given to

• Experience of teaching in a variety of formats at university level, and documented contributions to the development and enhancement of the quality of education and teaching
• A degree in education, experience in teacher education, or other experience within the education system
• Experience of actively engaging and collaborating with the wider community

Terms

This is a temporary 5-year full-time position. The preliminary start date is 1 April 2027 or as agreed by both parties. The position offers a potential career path to senior lecturer at Karlstad University through application for promotion, provided that the applicable promotion criteria are met.

Terms for promotion to senior lecturer

Upon applying, an associate senior lecturer should be promoted to senior lecturer provided he or she is qualified for the position (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 4) and is deemed suitable following an assessment (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 4a). The applicant must have completed the required training in higher education pedagogy at the time of the promotion.

Eligibility for permanent employment at Karlstad University usually includes proficiency in Swedish and English. In the case of promotion, candidates will be required to give a trial lecture in Swedish and/or English to demonstrate the language proficiency necessary (for teaching at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels). For other qualification requirements, refer to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, refer to the guide “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/list of qualifications
• 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
• An account of other relevant experience
• Managerial, collaborative, and administrative experience
• Plans for future work
• An account of collaborations, international network experience, etc.
• List of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• An account of language proficiency
• Copy of PhD degree certificate or documented equivalent academic expertise, or equivalent professional qualifications deemed relevant to the nature of the position and the duties included therein
• 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 whom 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:

Karlstads universitet
HR-administratör
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 15 November 2026                                         

State reference number: REK2026/207

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.

This translation carries no legal weight.