Associate Senior Lecturer in Biology Education at Karlstad University – Sweden

Summary

Karlstad University is accepting applications for a full-time, temporary 5-year position as an Associate Senior Lecturer in Biology Education within the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences. The role is affiliated with the Research on Subject-Specific Education (ROSE) research environment and the Centre for Teaching and Learning in Schools (CTL). Applicants must hold a PhD in biology (preferably completed within the last seven years) and demonstrate strong research potential in subject-specific school development, alongside higher education pedagogical skills and proficiency in English and Swedish (or acquire it during employment). The position allocates 75–100% of time to research and provides a pathway toward promotion to permanent Senior Lecturer. The advertisement does not specify an application deadline.

Key Facts

Department	Department of Environmental and Life Sciences
Position Type	Associate Senior Lecturer
Discipline	Biology Education / Science Education
Research Area	Subject-specific education, biology/science education
Degree Required	PhD or equivalent scientific qualifications in biology
Experience	Completed a PhD or equivalent no longer than seven years before the application deadline; preferably postdoctoral experience.
Contract Duration	5 years
Language	English and Swedish (or another Scandinavian language)
Required Documents	CV / list of qualifications, Cover letter describing qualifications and research interests, In-depth account of research experience, In-depth account of teaching experience, Certificate or account of higher education pedagogy courses, Account of other relevant experience, Managerial, collaborative, and administrative experience, Plans for future work, Account of collaborations and international network experience, List of publications, Account of language proficiency, Copy of PhD degree certificate or documented equivalent, Up to 10 scientific publications, Up to 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, Two references
Employer Address	Karlstads universitet HR-administratör 651 88 KARLSTAD, Sweden
Employer Contact	Website: http://www.kau.se

About the Project

The research focuses on subject-specific school development within biology/science education. Integrated into the Research on Subject-Specific Education (ROSE) environment and the Centre for Teaching and Learning in Schools (CTL), the project combines subject-specific education, educational assessment, conditions for learning, and school leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research and publish high-quality scientific work in biology/science education
• Develop and implement teaching innovations specifically related to biology/science education
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the ROSE and CTL research environments
• Collaborate with the wider community for mutual knowledge exchange
• Engage in teaching, supervision, assessment, and administrative duties primarily in teacher education programmes

Required Skills

• PhD or equivalent scientific qualifications in biology
• Oral and written proficiency in English and Swedish (or another Scandinavian language), or ability to acquire it
• Training in higher education pedagogy (or commitment to complete it within two years)
• Ability to conduct high-quality research and independent scholarly work
• Demonstrated teaching skills at university level
• Strong collaboration and administrative skills

Who Should Apply

Researchers holding a PhD in biology (preferably obtained within the last seven years) with a strong interest or expertise in subject-specific biology and science education, pedagogical qualifications, and the ability to work in English and Swedish or another Scandinavian language.

Benefits

• Generous annual holiday
• Wellness allowance
• Favourable occupational pension scheme
• 75–100% guaranteed research time depending on agreement

About the Employer

Karlstad University conducts internationally recognised research in subject-specific education. Its Research on Subject-Specific Education (ROSE) environment comprises around 50 researchers and 30 doctoral students, collaborating internationally and nationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the contract?

It is a temporary full-time position for 5 years.

Is there a possibility for promotion to a permanent position?

Yes, the position offers a career path to a permanent senior lecturer role through application for promotion, provided criteria are met.

What language skills are required?

Oral and written proficiency in English and Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) is required. Candidates not meeting this initially may still be hired provided they actively acquire these language skills.

How much time is dedicated to research?

Depending on agreement, the position includes 75–100% research time.