Doctoral student in mathematics education

Om tjänsten

Karlstad University / Faculty of Health, Science and Technology / Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Sapere Aude - dare to know - is our motto. Our students and employees develop important knowledge that enrich both the individual and the community. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and openness, with a close connection between people, professional roles, disciplines and research. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. Located in Värmland, a scenic region with a rich cultural life, we are committed to promoting sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider community.

Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 18,700 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika. More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Are you a practicing teacher or a teacher education graduate with an interest in how teaching can be developed based on research? Would you like to further specialise in your subject while contributing to school development? Then a doctoral studentship within the graduate school BEPPE might be the next step in your professional career.

Karlstad University is now accepting applications for a doctoral studentship at the graduate school BEPPE. The doctoral student will be employed at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The graduate school on subject-specific education models in primary school (BEPPE)

The graduate school BEPPE aims to contribute to more systematic knowledge about how several scientifically established, yet mutually distinct, subject-specific education models function across different subjects and school contexts, and how they can be integrated into teacher education and primary education. As a doctoral student, you will conduct research on applied teaching practices in primary school, with a close connection to teacher education and school practice.

The graduate school is jointly organised by Karlstad University and the University of Gothenburg and currently has a total of nine doctoral students.

We welcome applications from teacher educators, schoolteachers, and from those who are otherwise interested in conducting research on teaching and learning within the advertised areas of specialisation. Applicants can be at an early stage of their careers - the key point is an interest in teaching, learning and school development in interaction with research. BEPPE offers a dynamic environment with opportunities to establish international networks, participate in conferences and engage in exchange programmes abroad. More information about the graduate school and its research (in Swedish): BEPPE.

Subject environments

The graduate school is a part of Karlstad University's research environment focusing on subject-specific education. The research environment includes ROSE (Research on Subject-specific Education) and three research centres: CSL (Centre for Language and Literature Education), CSD (Centre for Social Science Didactics ) and SMEER (Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education Research). The subject-specific education perspective involves a particular interest in teaching and learning within specific subjects or subject areas. As a doctoral student in mathematics education, you will be affiliated with SMEER.

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the discipline and the department. You are given the opportunity to deepen your interests in collaboration with others. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement but will not constitute more than 20% of full-time. Work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you organise your tasks. This requires commitment, drive, and the ability to structure your work to successfully complete the doctoral thesis.

To contribute to a positive work environment and further both the department's activities and your own development as a researcher, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community, whether working remotely or on site.

Entry requirements and admission

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, applicants must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, applicants must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle education in mathematics with a specialisation in mathematics education, the applicant must hold a Degree of Master (60 or 120 credits) that includes courses in mathematics and mathematics education corresponding to at least 90 credits, including a degree project (independent project) of at least 15 credits with relevance to third-cycle education, alternatively have a Bachelor or Master of Education, or equivalent qualifications according to previous programme requirements, with a specialisation in mathematics.

An applicant can also meet the specific entry requirements by in some other way having acquired equivalent prerequisite knowledge, in Sweden or abroad. Applicants who have not completed 90 credits in mathematics but have acquired equivalent prior knowledge in another way may be subject to an equivalence assessment.

To be eligible for doctoral studies, applicants must also be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Assessment criteria

The assessment of eligible applicants is based on the criteria listed below.

Special weight will be given to:

• Results from previous studies
• The quality of independent written work of a scholarly and investigatory nature included in the previous studies, particularly at master's level and within mathematics education
• Completed teacher education or other pedagogical education of similar scope, as well as experience as a teacher
• At least 2 years of professional experience as a teacher, including mathematics education

Considerable weight will be given to:

• Research plan and its relevance to the focus areas of the graduate school
• The extent to which the applicant is able to be a physically present and active member of the research environment of the subject
• Personal qualities such as the ability to work independently, demonstrate strong collaboration skills, a structured approach and effective oral communication

Weight will be given to:

• Proficiency in Swedish and English (the doctoral studies will be conducted in a Swedish context, and data may include spoken and written content in Swedish)

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies consisting of research only. If teaching or other departmental duties become relevant, the appointment will be extended by a corresponding period, up to a maximum of five years full-time. The position is fixed-term, one year initially, followed by possible extensions of a maximum of two years at a time (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5). Start date as agreed by both parties.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Application

Submit the application via the University's web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. 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:

• A cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position
• Brief research plan: The plan should include problem statement, purpose, theory and method, and will serve as a basis for assessing suitability for doctoral studies (1,000-2,500 words). However, it does not necessarily have to be linked to the future research project.
• An account of language skills
• A list of qualifications (CV)
• Degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates
• Copy of master's thesis (60 or 120 credits) or similar
• Where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications
• Any letters of recommendation
• Two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or former or current manager

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 should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-avdelningen
HR-administratör
651 88 KARLSTAD
SWEDEN

Application deadline: October 21, 2026

State the reference number: REK2026/230

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

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.

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

Extra information

Status

Öppen

Önskad utbildningsnivå

Annan

Ort

Karlstad

Typ av kontrakt

Heltidsjobb (förstajobb)

Körkort önskas

Nej

Tillgång till bil önskas

Nej

Personligt brev krävs

Nej