Professor of Philosophy

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies belongs to Umeå University's Faculty of Arts and Humanities and has about 110 employees. The department gathers researchers, teachers, and students in the fields of Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Philosophy, History, History and Education, History of Science and Ideas, Religious Studies, and Theology under the same roof. 

The department has 18 permanent teachers  in philosophy and it offers courses and awards degrees in philosophy at the undergraduate (first-cycle), advanced (second-cycle), and graduate (third-cycle) level. The research activity is high and research is pursued over a broad range of philosophical areas, including  philosophy of artificial intelligence, aesthetics, history of philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of mind, metaethics, metaphysics, normative ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of language, applied ethics, and philosophy of science.The subject strives for the highest quality in research, teaching, and in all areas of its activities. More information about the subject’s research is available on individual researchers’ webpages.

We are now looking for a Professor of Philosophy.

Tasks

The duties include conducting research and teaching at undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels, as well as contributing to the development of the research and doctoral education environment in philosophy. The professor is expected to initiate new research and apply for external research funding. In addition, the position includes supervision, collaboration, and administrative work. Contributing to the development of well-functioning collaborations within the philosophy subject and providing support to junior researchers is of great importance.

The position includes 30% research time funded by the Faculty. For the part of the position financed by education grants, competence development time (20% of the education-funded portion—up to 14% of full-time) is included, which is normally used for research and work on research applications. Currently, the Faculty of Arts annually announces a publication-based research resource, for which employees can apply for up to 50% faculty-funded research time for a period of two years.

In addition to research and teaching, the position includes administrative duties and participation in staff, subject, and planning meetings.

Qualifications

To be qualified for appointment as a professor in philosophy, the applicant must have demonstrated both research and teaching expertise in philosophy (Chapter 4, Section 3 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

Research expertise refers to independent research contributions, the ability to plan and lead research, and the ability to communicate research to the wider community.

Teaching expertise refers to documented experience in planning, implementing, examining, and evaluating teaching, as well as a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher.

The applicant must have excellent proficiency in English and the ability to teach in this language.

The ability to teach in Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) within three years of the start of employment is a requirement for the position.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for selection are: research and teaching expertise in philosophy, administrative expertise, experience in development work and leadership assignments, and good collaborative skills. The applicant must also possess the expertise and suitability required in general to perform the work duties well.

Research expertise must be demonstrated through independent research contributions. The criteria for assessment are:

• Breadth and depth of research — quality and scope
• Originality of research
• Productivity
• Contributions to the international scientific community
• Assignments within the scientific community
• Ability to obtain external research funding in competition
• Ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community

Teaching expertise must be demonstrated through documented experience of teaching based on scientific basis in higher education Assessment criteria for teaching expertise for appointments on a scientific basis include:

• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate teaching, as well as to supervise and assess students at all levels of education
• Ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to intended learning outcomes and the nature of the subject
• Experience of collaboration with the wider community in planning and implementing  education
• Participation in the development of learning environments, teaching  aids, and study resources
• A reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher

This expertise may be acquired through h teacher training for higher education , other relevant training for teaching higher education , and/or documented, proven experience of teaching in higher education.

Weighing the assessment criteria

Particular importance shall be placed on research and teaching expertise. Equal care must be given to the assessment of both teaching and research expertise. When weighing these criteria, greater importance shall be given to research expertise.

The content of the position and the needs of the department further justify the following weighing of the assessment criteria:

In assessing the research expertise, particular importance shall be given to:

• Research expertise in one or more of the following areas of philosophy: history of philosophy, epistemology, logic, philosophy of mind, metaethics, metaphysics, normative ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of language, applied ethics, and philosophy of science. Research expertise across a broad range of these areas is especially meritorious.
• Ability to successfully lead research groups

In assessing the research expertise, high importance shall also be given to:

• Ability to obtain external research funding

In assessing the teaching expertise, particular importance shall be given to:

• Teaching expertise in the philosophical areas listed above

In assessing the teaching expertise, high importance shall also be given to:

• Breadth of subject expertise
• Breadth of experience as a teacher of philosophy
• Ability to successfully supervise doctoral students

Contributing to the development of the research and doctoral education environment in philosophy, as well as the planning and implementation of teaching, involves close collaboration with colleagues. Therefore, high importance shall be placed on good collaborative skills.

In addition, importance shall be placed on administrative expertise, experience in development work and leadership assignments, and  expertise and suitability required in general to perform the work duties well.

The eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the Appointments procedure for Teachers at Umeå University:  https://www.umu.se/en/legal-framework/human-resources-equal-opportunities-and-work-environment/appointments-procedure-for-teachers-at-umea-university2/ 

Please note that digital copies of publications must be attached to the application. For this position, no project plan needs to be submitted.

Application

Applications will be submitted via Umeå University's e-recruitment system Varbi no later than August 29, 2025.

Information on the documents to be attached to the application can be found in The Faculty of Arts and Humanities' instructions for applications: guidelines-for-applications_employment_promotion_at-umus-faculty-of-arts-and-humanities--ads-published-from-240129.pdf

Please note that digital copies of publications must be attached to the application. For this position, no project plan needs to be submitted.

Other information

The employment is permanent, fulltime, starting by agreement. 

The place of work is Umeå. In order to carry out teaching, participate in seminars and meetings and fulfil other tasks included in the employment, a high level of presence at the environment is required.

There are currently fewer female than male philosophers employed at the department, and we therefore especially encourage applications from female applicants.

For further information about the position, please contact Subject Professor Pär Sundström (+4690-7865163, [email protected]) or  Head of Department Jonas Nilsson (+4690-7869990, [email protected]). Questions regarding the recruitment process are answered by HR coordinator Anna Bladh, [email protected].

For more information about the department,  please visit: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-historical-philosophical-and-religious-studies/ 

Welcome with your application!

Information box

Admission

starting by agreement.

Salary

Monthly salary

Application deadline

2025-08-29

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-497-25

Contact

Jonas Nilsson, Head of Department

+4690-7869990,[email protected]

Pär Sundström, Subject Professor

+4690-7865163,[email protected]

Anna Bladh, HR coordinator

+4690-7866478,[email protected]

Union representative

SACO

+4690-7865365

SEKO

+4690-7865296

ST

+4690-7865431

Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.