Örebro University in Sweden has opened applications for a four-year doctoral studentship in Gender Studies, offering an opportunity for qualified researchers to pursue a fully funded PhD while receiving a monthly salary.
The doctoral position is based at the School of Social Sciences and Media Studies and is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. The application deadline is 28 September 2026.
PhD Opportunity in Gender Studies at Örebro University
The doctoral position is part of Örebro University’s doctoral programme in Gender Studies, a social science-oriented research environment with strong international connections.
The programme is housed within a multidisciplinary academic environment that includes the Centre for Feminist Social Studies. Research at the university draws on feminist and political theory and examines a broad range of issues related to gender, society, politics and social change.
The doctoral programme combines advanced coursework with an independent research project culminating in a doctoral thesis.
The programme comprises 240 credits, equivalent to four years of full-time doctoral study.
Research Areas for Prospective PhD Candidates
The Gender Studies research environment at Örebro University covers several interdisciplinary areas, giving applicants scope to develop doctoral research connected to contemporary gender and social issues.
Research areas include:
- Feminist theory and knowledge production.
- Love and sexuality.
- Feminist violence studies.
- Sustainability and masculinity.
- Politics and collective organizing.
- Work and organizations.
Applicants are expected to propose their own preliminary PhD research project and demonstrate how it would contribute to the field of Gender Studies.
The university particularly emphasizes the importance of a gender perspective in previous academic work when assessing applicants.
Four-Year Doctoral Studentship With Salary
One of the major benefits of this opportunity is that the doctoral programme is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for four years.
The initial salary for the doctoral studentship is SEK 32,300 per month.
The studentship provides an opportunity for successful candidates to undertake doctoral research as a full-time academic position rather than pursuing an unfunded PhD.
Örebro University also states that doctoral students receive an introduction to the university and access to a tailored seminar programme covering doctoral regulations, career development, student welfare and networking.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must satisfy both the general and specific entry requirements for doctoral studies.
For the general requirements, applicants must have either a master’s-level qualification, completed at least 240 higher education credits including at least 60 credits at master’s level, or possess substantially equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or another country.
Applicants must also satisfy the specific requirements for Gender Studies.
They should have completed at least 90 credits in Gender Studies or a closely related subject, including an independent bachelor’s-level project in Gender Studies or a related discipline.
Applicants with equivalent qualifications obtained in Sweden or internationally may also be considered.
Strong Academic Record Is Important
Örebro University will assess qualified applicants based on their potential to benefit from the doctoral programme.
The selection process considers formal qualifications, previous academic activities, theses and other academic work, as well as the applicant’s proposed preliminary PhD project.
A particularly important requirement is that previous academic work demonstrates the application of a gender perspective.
This means prospective applicants should carefully select academic writing samples and other materials that demonstrate their ability to conduct theoretically informed research within Gender Studies.
What Applicants Must Submit
Candidates are required to submit a complete electronic application containing several academic documents.
The application should include:
- An updated CV.
- Original bachelor’s degree certificate and official transcript.
- Original master’s degree certificate and official transcript.
- Master’s-level independent project or degree thesis.
- A preliminary PhD project outline of no more than three pages.
- Other relevant certificates and academic qualifications.
- Relevant academic papers and publications, where applicable.
The preliminary research outline is particularly important. It should explain the proposed research topic or field, research aim, theoretical framework, methods and materials, and relevance to Gender Studies.
Applicants should use the outline to demonstrate that they have a clear research direction and understand how their proposed project could contribute to the discipline.
International Applicants Can Apply
The opportunity is open to applicants with relevant qualifications from Sweden and abroad.
Application documents and attachments should generally be submitted in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or English.
Academic certificates and other documents issued in different languages must be translated into Swedish or English by an authorized translator.
This makes the opportunity potentially attractive to international researchers seeking doctoral study in Europe.
How the Doctoral Studentship Works
Applicants do not need to submit a separate application for the doctoral studentship.
When candidates apply for admission to the doctoral programme, they automatically apply for the associated doctoral studentship.
The successful candidate will undertake full-time doctoral study over four years and work within Örebro University’s Gender Studies research environment.
Why This PhD Opportunity Stands Out
The opportunity combines doctoral research, salaried employment and access to an international research environment.
It could be particularly suitable for graduates in Gender Studies, sociology, political science, social sciences, feminist studies or closely related disciplines who want to develop an academic research career.
The interdisciplinary nature of the research environment also creates opportunities to examine gender in relation to politics, violence, sustainability, organizations, sexuality and knowledge production.
Candidates should, however, ensure that their proposed research and previous academic work clearly demonstrate a meaningful connection to Gender Studies.
Application Deadline and Contact
The application deadline is 28 September 2026.
The doctoral programme is scheduled to begin in spring 2027.
For questions about the programme and doctoral studentship, prospective applicants can contact:
Lena Gunnarsson
Head of Subject, Gender Studies
Email: [email protected]
Applications should be submitted through the Örebro University careers portal.
Final Takeaway
The Örebro University PhD in Gender Studies 2027 offers qualified researchers an opportunity to undertake four years of full-time doctoral study in Sweden while receiving a starting salary of SEK 32,300 per month.
The programme is particularly suited to candidates with a master’s-level background in Gender Studies or a closely related discipline and a demonstrated interest in feminist research, gender politics, violence, sustainability, sexuality, organizations or related areas.
With the application deadline set for 28 September 2026, prospective applicants should begin preparing their academic transcripts, thesis, CV and three-page preliminary PhD research proposal well in advance.
