PhD students in War Studies

The Department of War Studies and Military History at the Swedish Defence University (SEDU) invites applications for several fully funded PhD positions in War Studies.

Read more about War Studies here.

Duties

The PhD programme consists of four years of full-time studies (240 ECTS credits). The central task is to write a doctoral thesis in War Studies under supervision (165 ECTS credits), but coursework (75 ECTS credits) is also part of the programme. Some courses are obligatory, while others are elective. The positions are fully funded throughout the four years. The positions may include teaching and other departmental duties up to 20% of full time, resulting in the extension of the employment period for a corresponding length of time (to a maximum of five years in total).

Qualifications

Entry requirements for doctoral programmes (third-cycle) require both general and specific eligibility.

The general entry requirements for doctoral programmes (third-cycle) are:

• a Master’s degree (second-cycle) , or
• completed courses equivalent to at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits must be at the postgraduate level (second-cycle), or
• otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.

In addition, specific entry requirements for admission to doctoral studies in War Studies at SEDU are:

• the completion of course requirements of at least 30 ECTS credits at the postgraduate level (second-cycle), in War Studies or an equivalent area of study,
• the completion of an independent thesis (degree project) in War Studies or an equivalent area of study of at least 15 ECTS credits at the postgraduate level (second-cycle),
• the completion of course requirements of an additional 90 ECTS credits in subjects relevant to the programme.
• proficiency in English, i.e. an upper-secondary/high school grade equivalent to English 6 or a certificate of eligibility equivalent to English 6 from an internationally accepted language test (the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge ESOL).

Assessment Criteria

The selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue the research education and the ability to write a War Studies dissertation of high international quality.

More specific criteria for the selection process are:

• the quality, feasibility and relevance of the thesis subject as spelled out in the research plan,
• the scientific quality of previous work (for example master- and bachelor thesis), and
• other qualifications relevant for the position.

To have completed a professional officer’s education is a merit.

Terms of Employment

The doctoral student positions are full-time (100 %), temporary positions according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance. The positions are placed at the Department of War Studies and Military History (IKVM).

The salary for doctoral students at the Swedish Defence University follows a specific structure, (complies with a local collective agreement) with a current starting salary of SEK 27 700/month. Exceptions are made for Swedish officers who are placed with the same basic salary they have in the Armed Forces. Swedish officers who are already employed at the Swedish Defence University retain the basic salary they have at the Swedish Defense University. In addition, doctoral students will also have access to a research budget of 30 000 per year to cover costs for travel, literature and other research related cost.

The Swedish Defence University strives for equality and diversity in all positions. We welcome applicants from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Women are encouraged to apply as there is currently a predominance of men in this employment category. It is self-evident to us that within an inclusive working environment our employees should be able to combine their working life with active parenthood.

An employment at the Swedish Defence University may involve a security clearance, which means a security interview and, in some cases, a routine register check by the Swedish Security Service.

The Swedish Defence University has a war division, which means that you must be prepared for placement at the university. If you have already been assigned a war time placement in your current deployment at a government agency, and your competencies are required at the Swedish Defence University, a negotiation takes place between the relevant authority and the Swedish Defence University of your placement. We welcome both Swedish and international applicants.

Application

Applications can be written in a Scandinavian language or English, and should be submitted via SEDUs electronic application system. Applications must include:

1. A Curriculum Vitae
2. A copy of an independent thesis (degree project) of at least 15 ECTS credits at the postgraduate level (second-cycle) or other relevant independent work of a comparable level of difficulty and scope. Grades and a grading scale must be included.
3. Draft of research proposal (no longer than five A4 pages).
4. Degree certificates and grades from previous first and second cycle studies confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements for the position. If your degree is from a foreign university the contents and scope of the degree must be clearly explained.
5. If the applicant is not a Swedish citizen a copy of the passport must be included.
6. Contact details for two references.
7. Other documentation that supplements the application (e.g. publications or other samples of analytical writing),
8. Where appropriate, affirmation of external financing of postgraduate studies (certificate of a personal scholarship or research grant) and a copy of a ”Letter of Acknowledgement” or a certificate from an employer guaranteeing financing of the entire programme and that the applicant can devote the necessary time to the studies to completed the programme in the stipulated time.

Mark your application with reference number: Ö 403/2023.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ascertain that the application is complete and complies with the requirements stated in the advertisement. Authorized translations must be provided for documents in other languages than Scandinavian languages or English. Applicants may be called to interviews in Autumn 2023. The aim is to finalize employment decisions well before the end of 2023. The employment is to commence on January 1, 2024.

You can read more about the Swedish Defence University’s doctoral education here. 

Information

Further information about the position is available from:

• Professor Annick Wibben, annick.wibben@fhs.se
• Director of Studies Kersti Larsdotter, kersti.larsdotter@fhs.se

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Welcome with your application no later than the 31st of August 2023.