Call for applications: Doctoral Studies

HDK-Valand – Academy for Art and Design at University of Gothenburg, invites applications to conduct artistic research at doctoral level. This is our first call for doctoral applications since the merger of HDK and Valand Academy in January 2020; we are now able to welcome applications to any of our three subjects: Craft, Design, and Artistic Practice (which includes film, photography, fine art and literary composition). We are also able to accommodate multi-disciplinary projects requiring supervision in different areas. 

Our acclaimed academic staff have both breadth and depth in supervisory expertise. To learn more about our areas of specialisation, please check our website: The Research School at the Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts, and the staff profiles of individual professors and researchers in each subject area – links are included in the detailed application guidelines. Proposals must demonstrate a good fit with expertise in the academy. 

We have an expansive understanding of the practices which are represented within each of our subject areas, and we welcome proposals which seek to define or identify new forms of practice within these disciplines. Likewise, we encourage engagements with contemporary theorisations of knowledge and critical agency. Research into forms of curation, exhibition and participation is also invited.

Successful applicants will begin their study from January 2021. The doctoral positions are fully-funded for four years. There is an expectation that doctoral students will teach in the programme courses, for a maximum of 20% of their contracted time. 

Eligibility
To be considered for a position, the applicant needs to meet the general entry requirements for doctoral (third-cycle) education in accordance with chapter 7, section 39 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, and the specific entry requirements of the syllabuses.

General entry requirements for third-cycle education are met by those who have: achieved a second-level qualification, completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired in some other way the equivalent knowledge either in Sweden or abroad.

The specific entry requirements for each subject are shown under section 4.2 of the relevant syllabus documents: Artistic Practice, Craft, Design

To apply
Candidates are strongly encouraged to join an online workshop outlining the doctoral programme at HDK-Valand, on May 11 at 4pm CEST, at this link (Zoom meeting ID: 376 585 913). We will present information on the application process, and on the expectations and requirements of a researcher employed in our academy. 

Please read carefully the detailed application guidelines available here – applications must be formatted according to these guidelines. Your application must include a project description of max. 6 pages (plus bibliography) outlining the proposed research project. This should cover the project’s aim, content and methods and include a schedule.

Your application should also include copies of academic qualifications; a CV including relevant professional experience, a list of publications / exhibitions; and links to documentation of artwork should also be included. 

Completed applications should be submitted here. The closing date for applications is June 5.

Applicants seeking admission with external funding should include a funding plan for the entire period of study (four years full-time, or a maximum of eight years part-time).

Conditions for places with external funding are given in the University of Gothenburg’s regulations for third-cycle programmes, section 6, pages 4–6.

Assessment
Regulations for employment as a doctoral candidate are outlined in ordinance SFS 1998:80. Selection of candidates is based on their ability to make optimal use of the programme in accordance with the criteria in the subject’s general syllabus. For required qualifications and merits, see the syllabuses for Artistic Practice, Craft and Design.

The selection process includes interviews.