Uppsala University, Department of English

The Department of English is a well-established research community with scholars working in the fields of English Linguistics, English Literature, and American Literature.

Research in English Linguistics at the department focuses primarily on the empirical study of past and present variation and development in the language. Our recent and current research focuses on patterns of structure, meaning and usage in the English language, and variation and change in such patterns influenced by factors such as language-internal features, genre differences, social variables and second-language acquisition. Investigations are carried out within a variety of frameworks, among them corpus linguistics, variationist studies, (historical) sociolinguistics, (historical) pragmatics, manuscript studies, and learner English. Our commitment to empirical studies has led to extensive use of language corpora (text collections and databases), both synchronic and diachronic, and of statistical analysis of data retrieved from such materials.

Doctoral students in the Department of English have contributed to the compilation of corpora at the department and have joined national and international networks by attending conferences and summer schools, as well as spending periods as visiting scholars at universities abroad. Recently completed doctoral theses are available online.

Research in English Literature includes all literatures written in English outside of North America from 1500 to the present. Central concerns and foci across this spectrum include: the making and unmaking of Englishness in English literature; the politics of gender and of race in British writing; the global flows and distribution of English Literature (in the times of the British empire and in the post-colonial and trans-national present); and literary ethics and aesthetics. Recent and current research includes work on Joseph Conrad and William Shakespeare, the literary history of sub-Saharan African writing, the literary history of terrorism, the cultural history of the modern period in Britain (1700-), and the history of science.

Research in American Literature and Culture explores a range of topics from canonical American literature to ethnic studies and visual culture. Focusing on the distinctive voices and styles in American literature from the first encounters between European and Native (North) American populations in the sixteenth century to the present day, we look at how the American literary canon has been shaped and re-defined under the influence of factors such as immigration or popular culture. Current research areas include transnational exchanges, contemporary security cultures, representations of revolutions, visual culture, and intermediality.

Uppsala University invites applications for a doctoral position in English, specialising either in English Linguistics, English Literature, or American Literature, as funding allows. The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2019. Start date: as soon as possible and no later than 1 February 2020.

We are looking for a dynamic and committed scholar who works well independently and who is willing to cooperate in and to contribute to the community of researchers working in the department. We particularly encourage proposals in one of the following areas a) the sociolinguistics of recent American English and b) education research in teaching English as a subject. These are research areas in which the department is investing. Further information about the subject, admission requirements, and the application process is available on the Department of English homepage.

Further information about the subject, admission requirements, and the application process is available on the Department of English homepage.

A special entry requirement for admission to the third-cycle study programme in English is that the applicant must meet the requirements for a one-year master degree in English. The Department of English homepage provides further information about the doctoral programme in English. Under the headings “Courses/programmes” and “PhD Programme in English”, information is available on the qualifications that are required to apply for the doctoral programme.

Regulations for third-cycle students are found in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1–7; Chapter 6, Sections 25–36; Chapter 7, Sections 34–41, and in the University’s Rules and Regulations at http://regler.uu.se.

Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.  

Starting date: as soon as possible and no later than 1 February 2020.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For information please contact Stuart Robertson, Director of Graduate Studies, stuart.robertson@engelska.uu.se, or Lars Hagborg, Senior Faculty Administrator at the Office for Humanities and Social Sciences, lars.hagborg@uadm.uu.se.

You are invited to submit your application by 23 August 2019. Please be sure to include the reference number UFV-PA 2019/1917.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2019-10-01
Salary According to local agreement for PhD students
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2019/1917
Union representative
  • Seko Universitetsklubben, seko@uadm.uu.se
  • ST/TCO, tco@fackorg.uu.se
  • Saco-rådet, saco@uadm.uu.se
Published 24.May.2019
Last application date 23.Aug.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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