Professor of paediatric and adolescent surgery, combined with a position as a specialist doctor at Uppsala University children's hospital

Department of Women's and Children's Health and Uppsala University Hospital

The Department of Women’s and Children’s Health is a multidisciplinary, international department focused on health and welfare.

A global perspective on health is ever-present, and we collaborate across professional and clinical boundaries in both education and research. The Children’s Hospital has a strong research environment and broad educational mission.

Paediatric and adolescent surgery in Uppsala treats patients from the mid-Sweden and northern healthcare regions, which between them have a population of just over 3 million, meaning we are responsible for a high percentage of national and regional healthcare. Staff in paediatric and adolescent surgery collaborate with both paediatric sub-specialities at Uppsala University Children’s Hospital and with thoracic surgery and adult surgery. Since the decision on national highly specialised care, the Paediatric Surgery Section has purposefully developed minimally invasive surgical procedures, and the majority of all operations are now performed using laparoscopy. The section also performs robot-assisted surgery on children.

Description of subject area

The speciality paediatric and adolescent surgery is characterised by the treatment of children and youths with deformities, injuries and diseases using surgical methods. In addition to pre- and post-operative care, the long-term follow-up of the growing individual is vital part of paediatric and adolescent surgery.

Duties
The successful candidate’s duties will include conducting their own research and keeping abreast of developments within their subject area, as well as societal development in general that may be significant to their work at the University. The professor is expected to develop and lead research into paediatric and adolescent surgery at the Department of Women's and Children's Health. The position includes teaching in the first and second cycle within the subject area, as well as management and other departmental duties.

Qualifications
According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, Section 3, a person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise shall be qualified for employment as a professor. According to Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University (AR) Section 5, one general qualification required is that applicants must be able to work with other people and otherwise meet the demands of suitability required to perform their duties well.

Research expertise must have been demonstrated by the applicant’s independent research contributions and by achievements that are of very high quality by international standards. The applicant must have demonstrated expertise in planning, initiating, leading and developing research; an ability to obtain research funding in competition; and well-documented expertise in supervising third cycle (doctoral) students. The applicant’s contributions to the international and national scientific community must be assessed on the basis of such criteria as the quality and scope of scholarly publications. The international track record required must be assessed in light of the nature and specific circumstances of the subject. (AR Section 31).

Teaching expertise must have been demonstrated by an extensive educational portfolio in accordance with Section 22. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate well-documented expertise in supervision at first cycle (undergraduate) level, second cycle (Master’s) level and third cycle (doctoral) level. A prerequisite for considering that the applicant has teaching expertise is that the applicant has completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education that is relevant to the organisation and its activities, or has equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the teacher training for higher education may be undertaken during the first two years of employment. The teacher training must also include third cycle (doctoral student) supervision. (AR Section 32)

Qualification for the position requires a Degree of Master of Science in Medicine, as well as a certificate of specialist expertise in paediatric and adolescent surgery issued by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. An applicant who does not hold a Swedish certificate of specialist expertise in paediatric and adolescent surgery must have applied to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare for a certificate no later than the deadline for applications, and must be in possession of the certificate no later than the date on which the decision on an appointment is made.

If the successful candidate fulfils Uppsala University Hospital’s requirements for appointment as a consultant, they will be offered an appointment combined with the post of consultant.

The applicant must have documented ability to teach in Swedish and English. (AR Section 6)

Assessment criteria
In the assessment of more than one qualified applicant, research expertise will be assigned greater weight than teaching expertise. However, a balanced assessment will be made so that an applicant with significantly greater teaching expertise can be ranked ahead of an applicant with a slight advantage in terms of research expertise. Clinical expertise is also important in the position and will be considered in making the appointment.

Research expertise refers to research qualifications. In assessing research expertise, research quality must be the primary consideration. Consideration must also be given to the scope of the research, in terms primarily of its depth and breadth. Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead and develop research and third cycle (doctoral) education, the ability to obtain research funding in competition, and the ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community through research. (AR Section 20). See also Guidelines and Assessment Criteria for Recruiting and Promoting Teachers at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy (GA) Section 3.

Teaching expertise refers to educational qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise, teaching quality must be the primary consideration. Consideration must also be given to the scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth. Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead and develop education, and to the ability to base teaching on research. Teaching expertise should also include the ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community through education. (AR Section 22) See also GA Section 4.

Clinical expertise is demonstrated through clinical practice and clinical training, as well as participation in clinical development. Clinical development includes measures that have enhanced the quality or efficiency of health and medical care. (AR Section 24)

Assessment criteria, other expertise
Administrative and management expertise are significant to the position and will be assigned weight. The ability to collaborate with the surrounding community and to inform the public about research and development will be considered.

Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, by the ability to plan, organise and prioritise work in an efficient and appropriate manner, and the ability to specify and keep to time frames. Such expertise includes overall operational planning, the ability to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities, and the ability to work in a structured manner based on awareness of goals and quality. (AR Section 28) See also GA Section 5.

Management expertise is demonstrated by the ability to lead operations and staff, make decisions, take responsibility and motivate others, providing them with the conditions needed for efficient achievement of shared goals. Expertise may also be demonstrated by an ability to coordinate the group, to help create a sense of involvement, participation and job satisfaction, and to deal with conflicts. (AR Section 30) See also GA Section 5.

Particular consideration will be given to clinical skills of significance to the strategic development of highly specialised care at Uppsala University Hospital. Clinical skills demonstrated at a senior level provide an especially useful qualification.

When assessing collaboration expertise, experience of and expertise in education and outreach work, editorships and other activities related to knowledge exchange between academia and the wider community, as well as experience of innovation and entrepreneurship, will be given weight. (GA Section 6)

In an overall assessment of the applicant's qualifications, parental leave, part-time work due to childcare, trade union responsibilities, military service or similar activities are to be treated as work experience. (AR Section 94)

When the University appoints new teachers, it must select the applicants who, following a qualitative overall assessment of their competence and expertise, are judged to have the best potential to perform and develop the relevant duties and to contribute to the positive development of the department. (AR Section 4).

The gender equality aspect must be applied in an appointment process if it is evident following a qualitative assessment that two applicants of different gender have equal or approximately equal qualifications and if one gender is underrepresented (constitutes less than 40% of those in the occupational category in question and at the workplace concerned). (AR Section 95)

All qualifications must be documented so that both quality and degree can be assessed.

During the evaluation of submitted applications, international referees may be used. In this event, the University may need to send applications that are written in Swedish to a qualified translator.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Links to relevant regulations and guidelines

Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University

Guidelines and assessment criteria for recruiting and promoting teachers at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy

Career Portfolios. Instructions for compiling qualifications and guidelines for qualifications assessment in connection with recruitment of teachers, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy

Salary: Individual salary

Starting date: As agreed

Form of employment: Permanent employment

Scope of employment: Full-time 

For more information, please contact:
Professor Arja Harila, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health. Email: arja.harila@uu.se  

Welcome to submit your application, no later than 12 August, 2024 , UFV-PA 2024/208.

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