Doctoral students in mathematics and science education

Malmo

Reference number P 2025/2613

Malmö University is an innovative, urban, and internationally oriented academic institution that, thanks to its committed and experienced staff, contributes to societal development. Here, teachers, researchers, and other employees with various competencies work together to conduct high-quality education and research. All professional categories and roles are important. You are welcome to apply for a job with us!

Here you can learn more about what it's like to work at Malmö University: Work with us

We are looking for
We are looking for two Doctoral students in mathematics and science education. You apply for either of the subjects or a cross-disciplinary topic.

Please clearly indicate (for example in your research plan) which of the two positions your application concerns, or if it concerns a cross-disciplinary research topic.

Below are some areas that the research environment within NMDI is particularly interested in; however, the doctoral positions are also open to other topics related to the doctoral subject:

• AI and digitalisation
• Didactic design, subject content, learning environment
• Sustainability, health, climate change, environmental challenges
• Inclusion, norms, identity formation, social justice
• Migration, globalisation processes, multilingualism, culturally and linguistically heterogeneous learning spaces
• Various literacies, including disciplinary literacy
• Professional development, policy studies

Content and duties
Those who are employed as doctoral students are expected to primarily devote themselves to their own research education (located at Malmö University).

The intended degree is a PhD, which corresponds to a 4-year full-time research education. Departmental duties may amount to a maximum of 20% of fulltime employment. If so, the doctoral student is compensated with an equivalent extension of the study period.

Eligibility
The processes of admission to research education and employment as a doctoral student run in parallel. The basic eligibility for admission includes the following:

• having completed a second-cycle level degree,
• having fulfilled course requirements comprising a minimum of 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 second-cycle credits, or
• having in other ways, inside or outside Sweden, substantially acquired the equivalent (Higher Education Ordinance Ch. 7, section 39)

Specific eligibility
Special eligibility is granted to applicants who have successfully completed an independent project in science or mathematics education (didactics), or another relevant subject, equivalent to at least 15 credits at the advanced (master’s) level, or who possess equivalent knowledge as assessed by Malmö University.

Both teaching experience and university credits in mathematics and/or science subjects and subject didactics are considered additional merits.

Bases for assessment
Selection among applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements shall be made with regard to their ability to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 41).

The basis for selection among qualified applicants is the degree of ability to benefit from the programme and to achieve its goals. In the assessment of eligible applicants, external reviewers are used to evaluate the applicant’s ability to benefit from the programme. Consideration is given to the applicant’s independence, ability to cooperate, and planning of previous work; the applicant’s previously demonstrated ability to adequately complete tasks; the applicant’s ability to formulate research questions and areas of investigation, both in previous work and in the research proposal for the planned dissertation/thesis project; the degree of methodological and scientific maturity shown in previous work and in the research proposal; and the ability to communicate both in writing and orally. The applicant’s ability to apply subject-specific didactic knowledge in the research proposal is also taken into account.

When admitting applicants, consideration is also given to the required language skills necessitated by the programme.

A work sample may be requested in connection with the interview. The purpose of the work sample is to test the applicant’s linguistic and academic skills and abilities.

Faculty
The Faculty of Education and Society offers professional programmes for careers in schools, culture, leisure, and sports. The faculty hosts one of Sweden’s largest teacher education programmes, where students can choose one of four degrees: preschool teacher, primary school teacher, subject teacher, or vocational teacher. In addition to programmes in sports science, history, teaching, special education, and career guidance. The faculty also offers master’s and doctoral programmes, as well as standalone courses, continuing education, and commissioned education. The faculty is characterised by innovative approaches to programme design and collaboration with schools, municipalities, organisations, and businesses. Our research is conducted in close collaboration with the surrounding society. We are located in the Orkanen and Scylla buildings at Hjälmarekajen, next to Malmö Central Station.

The Department of Natural Science, Mathematics and Society (NMS)
NMS is a broad multidisciplinary environment linked to the subject areas within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). NMS has approximately 50 employees and conducts teaching, research, and external collaboration. Research at NMS focuses on issues related to education and learning in science, sustainability, and mathematics in preschool, compulsory school, adult education, and teacher education.

The research Environment Science and Mathematics Education (NMDI)
Research within Science and Mathematics Education (NMDI) aims to develop knowledge about teaching, learning, subject content, democratic issues, and identity formation in relation to science and mathematics. This includes educational practices in preschool, school, adult education, and teacher education, in both formal and non-formal contexts.

The subject examines the relationship between specific disciplinary content and how it is communicated in different environments, as well as how individuals and groups develop and use knowledge in these environments. Furthermore, the research includes studies of teaching processes and how participants develop different approaches to science and mathematics.

At Malmö University, the doctoral subject NMDI is connected to the research environment SISEME – Studies in Science, Environmental and Mathematics Education, which primarily adopts didactic, societal, and linguistic perspectives on learning and education within the aforementioned subject areas.

We are looking for two doctoral students within the doctoral subject Science and Mathematics Education. This means that we are recruiting one doctoral student with a focus on science education and one with a focus on mathematics education. We welcome applications that address challenges and opportunities in preschool, compulsory school, adult education, and teacher education within the science subjects and/or mathematics. Applications that relate to cross-disciplinary issues in education linked to STEM are also welcome.

Contact information
Contact person for the Department of Natural Science, Mathematics and Society:
Head of Department, Eva Davidsson – [email protected], +46 40 665 72 40

Contact person for the doctoral position in Science and Mathematics Education:
Associate Professor Helena Roos – [email protected], +46 40 665 86 23

Contact person for research in the Department of Natural Science, Mathematics and Society, focus on mathematics education:
Professor Lisa Björklund Boistrup – [email protected], +46 40 665 71 92

Contact person for research in the Department of Natural Science, Mathematics and Society, focus on science education:
Professor Jesper Sjöström – [email protected], +46 40 665 80 50

In the recruitment process, Malmö University has taken a stand on the issue of recruitment channels and marketing. Hence, any offer of advertising or recruitment help in connection with this advertisement will be declined.

You can read more about the benefits of working in Sweden here: https://sweden.se/collection/working-in-sweden/

Application
You apply for the position via Malmö University recruitment system by clicking the “Ansök” (‘Apply’) button below.

Applications are accepted in the following languages: Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and English. All attached documents should be in or translated into Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or English.

As an applicant, it is your responsibility that the application fulfils the requirements stated in the advertisement and that it is received by the university no later than 20 January 2026.

The application must include

• A letter of application describing your background and interest in the research education (max 2 pages)
• A certified curriculum vitae
• A brief research plan presenting the focus of the research and a dissertation proposal as well as a description of how this relates to the specific advertising (max 4 pages)
• Your independent second-cycle work
• Any other publications you wish to include (a maximum of 3 research reports or academic articles or the equivalent)
• Certified certificates and testimonials (e.g. diplomas, work experience)
• References

Miscellaneous
This is a temporary full-time position in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Ch. 5, section 7.

Malmö University is an academic workplace characterised by an open and inclusive approach, with an equality and equal opportunity policy constituting an added value for our organisation.

Start date
1 September 2026.

Union representatives
SACO Emma Lundin, [email protected]
Sveriges lärare Charlotte Paggetti, [email protected]
ST/ORF Lutfi Zuta, [email protected]

PhD Student Union representative
Johan Deltner, [email protected]

We look forward to your application!

You apply no later than 20/01/2026 by clicking the apply button.