The Faculty of Theology is one of nine faculties at Uppsala University. As researchers we use the same research methods as our colleagues in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The Faculty is not linked to any faith community, and the religious affiliation of students, research students, lecturers or other staff is of no relevance to the Faculty. The Faculty of Theology is the oldest faculty at Uppsala University and the Department of Theology covers all areas of religious studies. The Department of Theology is the largest institution for education and research in Theology and Religious Studies in Sweden, and offers a creative environment for pursuing research or a degree.
Uppsala University hereby invites applications to at least five PhD positions.
Starting date: August 28, 2025.
Applications can be made for studies in the following disciplines:
- History of Religions and World Christianity
- Social Sciences of Religion and Practical Theology
- Biblical Exegesis
- Church History and Mission History
- Ethics
- Philosophy of Religion
- Systematic Theology
Duties
The holder of a PhD position shall, foremost, be devoted to his or her own postgraduate study and research. Other duties at the Department which relate to teaching and administrative work may be included within the scope of the employment (to a maximum of 20 %). A requirement for employment as doctoral student is that the applicant must be admitted to postgraduate studies. To this extent, the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral studies will be decisive. Regulations governing University admissions are found (in Swedish) in Högskoleförordningen, chapter 7 §§ 34-36 and chapter 5 §§ 1-7. Information on admissions requirements, application forms etc. can be found on the website of the Faculty of Theology.
Requirements
To be eligible for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Theology, you must fulfill both the general and specific entry requirements.
A general requirement for admission to the PhD programme is that you must have obtained at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at Master’s level. For information about the specific requirements, please refer to the general syllabus for the respective subject.
Applications shall include:
- Completed form, Application for admission to third-cycle (postgraduate) studies.
- Completed form, Financial plan for studies at research level at the Faculty of Theology. In the form, two specifications are needed: 1) form of funding, and 2) name of one of the professors or lecturers at the department who has accepted to supervise the project in case the applicant is admitted.
- Official transcripts of record in English or Swedish from university studies, including any graduate studies which prove that the applicants meet both general and particular qualification requirements for studies at a research level at the Faculty of Theology. In relevant cases a copy of degree certificates in English or Swedish should also be included.
- A research proposal of 6 pages (if needed one more page for references can be added) with the following headings: aim, questions, method, theoretical framework, the relation of the proposed study to earlier research and material for the future thesis, a note on whom at the Faculty of Theology the applicants have approached and requested to become their supervisor. All headings should be included, but not necessarily in this order.
- Master’s Thesis.
- A research project might be associated with risks that could affect the feasibility of the project, especially concerning assessing material or data. Therefore, the applicants should attach an assessment of the feasibility of the project considering possible risks with the suggested material. For high risk projects, suggestions of alternative material should be added.
Applications lacking any of the above-mentioned documents or a completed application form for admission to third-cycle studies will not be considered. To write the application, both the application form “Admission to third-cycle (postgraduate) studies” and general syllabus for the discipline concerned are needed. When using the latter, you should check that you fulfil both general and particular entrance requirements for studies at research level in the discipline. Make contact well in advance with a lecturer/ professor at the faculty of Theology who is willing to function as a supervisor if you should be accepted.
Applications which make no mention of a contacted supervisor will not be considered.
Full funding is offered for a maximum of four years. A prerequisite for this is that you need to live in Sweden with a residence permit.
Within the specializations Global Christianity and History of Missions, funding is provided during the first year as an admitted doctoral student with a scholarship for full-time studies, followed by employment as a doctoral student for the following three years. For other specializations, employment as a doctoral student applies during the education period, normally four years.
All PhD candidates are an important part of our research environment. At the Department of Theology, we value collegial participation and presence in the workplace. To us, regular attendance means at least three days per week.
Notification of admission will be given at the beginning of June 2025.
Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University’s rules and guidelines.
About the employment: Salary according to local agreement for PhD students, starting date August 28, 2025, working hours: 100 %.
For further information about the position please contact: Director of Doctoral Studies Mohammad Fazlhashemi, e-mail: mohammad.fazlhashemi@teol.uu.se, phone +4618-471 22 27.
