Assistant Professor in Economics

The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.

This position is part of the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.

With more than 3 700 full-time students, 470 employees, 160 international partner universities and four departments, the School of Business, Economics and Law has unique breadth. The School of Business, Economics and Law is “triple-crown” accredited - EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.

The Department of Economics is part of the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg and brings together around 100 researchers and teachers from several countries. The department offers teaching in economics, finance, and statistics to around 800 students across courses and programmes. Our research spans a broad range of fields, including labour, health, applied microeconomics, environmental, development, behavioural, and financial economics. More information about the department is available at www.economics.gu.se. Department of Economics is seeking to appoint one or two Assistant Professors in Economics.

Subject area

Economics

Subject area description

Economics is a social science that studies how individuals, firms, and societies make decisions, how markets and institutions function, and how resources and opportunities are allocated. It combines theoretical reasoning and empirical methods to understand economic behaviour and outcomes, and to evaluate the effects of policies and institutions. The position is open to candidates working in any field of economics, with opportunities to contribute to both the department’s research and teaching.

Duties

The position comprises a maximum of 50 percent teaching and a minimum of 50 percent research.

The successful candidate is expected to pursue high-quality research with the potential to make a significant contribution to international research and to publish in leading international academic journals. Active participation in research seminars and academic networks is expected.

Teaching constitutes a central part of the position. The successful candidate will primarily teach core undergraduate courses in economics, such as macroeconomics, statistics, international trade, and financial economics. Teaching may also include courses at advanced and doctoral levels and in other areas of economics than those listed above. Swedish language courses are offered by the university for applicants who do not speak Swedish.

Duties also include course development, course coordination, and administrative tasks related to teaching. The successful candidate is expected to actively contribute to the development and quality assurance of the department’s education, as well as to pedagogical development within the subject area.

The successful candidate is also expected to contribute to the development of the department’s teaching and research environment.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in subject or has the corresponding research competence. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant Professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg and the guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Academic Staff at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg (GU 2025/3441).

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required for this position:

• The ability to teach undergraduate courses in fields like macroeconomics, international trade, or financial economics.
• The ability to independently initiate, conduct, and publish high-quality research.
• The ability to contribute positively on-site to the Department’s research, teaching, and working environment, as well as overall suitability for the position (see below).

In addition to these requirements, the following qualifications are considered particularly meritorious:

• Previous experience of successfully teaching undergraduate courses in macroeconomics, international trade, or financial economics.
• Previous experience of successfully teaching courses in Swedish.
• Previous international academic experience and publications in well-regarded peer-reviewed journals in economics.

Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise. Significant importance will also be attached to teaching expertise and to the ability and willingness to take an active role in the department’s teaching at both undergraduate and advanced levels. Collaborative and administrative competence will also be taken into account. The assessment will consider the qualifications of the candidates as a whole and in relation to the requirements and needs of the position.

Research expertise

Research expertise is demonstrated through scholarly publications and active participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is placed on the quality, originality, and international relevance of the applicant’s research and publication record. The assessment takes into account demonstrated familiarity with the subject area and previous research, research independence, creativity and originality in the chosen research direction, as well as the depth of analysis and scope of scientific output, taking into consideration the length of time since the doctoral degree was awarded and the research trajectory during this period.

In addition to the scholarly works cited in the application, the following factors, among others, shall be given weight in the overall assessment of the applicant’s academic merits and research expertise:

• Documented active participation in the scholarly community, for example through the presentation of research findings at national and international conferences, seminars, and similar forums.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and collaborate constructively with other researchers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain an independent research agenda.
• Evidence of research potential and a strong research trajectory, including the ability to publish in leading international and field journals and other high-quality scholarly outlets.

For further details, see the Guidelines for the Employment and Promotion of Academic Staff at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg (GU 2025/3441).

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and/or doctoral level within the subject area of the position.

Previous experience of teaching core undergraduate or advanced level courses such as macroeconomics, international trade, or financial economics is considered meritorious. Also experience of teaching in Swedish is a merit. In the assessment of pedagogical competence, importance will also be attached to documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality.

For further details, see the Guidelines for the Employment and Promotion of Academic Staff at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg (GU 2025/3441)

Collaboration with the community at large and Administrative Competence

Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public.

Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, active participation in seminars, mentoring, engagement in the development of teaching, and contributions to the overall development of the department or faculty.

Overall Assessment

The position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position aimed at researchers and teachers who have completed their doctoral thesis relatively recently. The position will be offered to the candidate who, based on an overall assessment of their qualifications and development potential, is assessed to have the strongest prospects for carrying out the duties of the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of the department’s activities.

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for five years
Extent: Full-time (100%)
Location:School of Business, Economics and Law at Department of Economics
Starting date: By agreement

An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer.

The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

Promotion to Senior Lecturer is regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance, the University of Gothenburg’s Appointment Regulations (GU 2024/3252), and the Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Academic Staff at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg (GU 2025/3441).

For an Assistant Professor (biträdande universitetslektor) to be promoted to Senior Lecturer (universitetslektor), an application for promotion must be submitted to the department no later than six months before the end of the five-year appointment period.

In accordance with the guidelines “Appointment as Assistant Professor and Promotion from Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer” (GU 2025/3441), at the Department of Economics, promotion to and permanent employment as a Senior Lecturer is based on demonstrated excellence in both research and teaching. During the appointment period, the candidate is expected to demonstrate clear and sustained progression in these two areas. External reviewers assess whether these criteria are met.

Research progression is assessed based on a research record developed during the appointment period, which is expected to correspond to at least two publications in top field journals or high-quality general-interest journals in economics or finance. In addition, the assessment considers the candidate’s research independence, contribution to co-authored work, and overall research trajectory.  Active engagement in the research community, both within the department and externally, is expected, including seminar participation, mentoring, and related academic activities.

Progression in teaching is for instance demonstrated through teaching excellence, course development, active on-site participation in teaching committees, and strong course evaluations.

The overall assessment will be based on the candidate’s research and teaching merits, as well as their potential to contribute to the long-term development of the department.

Promotion also requires completion of a university teaching and learning qualification programme approved by the Vice-Chancellor, as well as fulfillment of the Swedish language requirement established by the Vice-Chancellor (Appointment Regulations for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg, GU 2024/3252)

Moving to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents

Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg

Other information

The position of Assistant Professor is a career-development appointment and constitutes a step in an academic career path designed to enable researchers to develop their independence and establish their own research profile, with the right to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.

To support a healthy work–life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: Employment benefits | University of Gothenburg

If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you will be offered language courses as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

Selection process

Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment.

As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact:Head of Department Ola Olsson. ola.olsson@economics.gu.se, Tel: +0046 (0) 766 181341

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact: HR Officer Neha Rohtagi, neha.rohtagi@economics@gu.se or (from 1/10) Axel Bondemark, axel.bondemark@economics.gu.se,Tel: +0046 (0) 0766-18 27 01

Unions

Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.

Applications

You apply for the position through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline.

Please submit your application in English, as it will be reviewed by external reviewers whose working language is English.

he following documents must be attached to the application:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a complete list of publications and an account of any external research funding received (including amounts).
2. Research Plan. The plan must clearly relate to the research area of the position and should be capable of forming the basis for at least one competitive research grant application.
3. A description of your research qualifications, including:

1. a) A list of your five most important scientific publications. For publications co-authored with others, specify your role and the extent of your contribution. Statements from co-authors must be attached; these should include information on each author's contribution (both quantitative and substantive) and be signed by all co-authors. If an article or book has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published, documentation confirming acceptance for publication must be attached.
2. b) A brief account of your research achievements, research profile, and research plans for the coming years. (Maximum 2 pages.)

1. Complete electronic copies of up to ten of your most important scientific publications.
2. A description of your teaching qualifications, including:

1. a) A list of the courses and degree programmes that you have developed and taught on (including courses and programmes at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels).
2. b) A brief account of your teaching achievements and qualifications, including information on both the scope and quality of your teaching, as well as teaching self-reflection. (Maximum 2 pages.)
3. c) Documentation of completed higher education pedagogy training.
4. d) Certification of your teaching experience from a Head of Department, Director of Studies, or equivalent in at least one university or department.

1. Electronic copies of teaching materials, such as course syllabi, reading lists, examination assignments, lecture slides, and student instructions (maximum three supporting documents). Refer to these documents in your statement of teaching achievements and qualifications (Section 5b).
2. Doctoral degree certificate (PhD diploma).

1. Reference letters from 2–3 people from your previous positions.
2. Any other certificates and documents that you wish to submit in support of your application.

Scientific publications that are not available in electronic format should be sent to:

University of Gothenburg
Department of Economics and Statistics
Attn: Neha Rohtagi/Axel Bondemark
Box 640
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Sweden

Please indicate reference number PAR 2026/642 on all submitted materials.

The publications must be received no later than 2026-10-30

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.