Substitute Senior Lecturer in North American Studies

The Swedish Institute for North American Studies (SINAS) is a division within the Department of English. The institute’s primary purpose is to conduct and promote research and teaching in the field of North American studies, mainly focusing on the United States. We take broad humanities and social science perspectives on U.S. society, history, and politics and have a special research profile focused on relations between Sweden and the United States.

The institute conducts teaching in the subject area at undergraduate and advanced levels, as well as independent research on U.S. history, politics, and society. SINAS has also developed significant activities aimed at disseminating knowledge, building networks, and generating interest in the field at Uppsala University and in Sweden, in the form of seminars, workshops, lectures, symposia, and conferences. Since its founding, an important part of SINAS’s work has been public participation in the dissemination of knowledge about the U.S. in collaboration with the surrounding community.

Duties

Teaching courses in North American Studies, which includes courses in American transnational history, politics, cultural heritage, and Swedish-American relations. The duties may also include teaching in other courses within the Department of English. Independent research. The position entails active participation in the development of SINAS’s activities, in cooperation with the director and other staff.

Eligibility requirements:

To be eligible for this position, the applicant must have a PhD in a relevant humanities or social science subject, have demonstrated teaching proficiency, and have the personal qualities required to fulfill the duties of the position well. The doctoral thesis and subsequent research must have a clear focus on U.S. history, society, and/or politics, including its transnational relations with the rest of the world.

Documented ability to teach in English and very good cooperative skills are requirements.

Assessment criteria for candidates who meet the eligibility requirements:

When selecting among eligible applicants, equal weight will be given to academic and pedagogical competence.

Academic competence refers to research qualifications. In assessing academic competence, research quality will be the primary consideration.  The research qualifications must be in North American Studies, including the U.S.’s transnational relations with the rest of the world. Experience of interdisciplinary research within North American studies is a merit.

Pedagogical competence refers to qualifications in education and teaching. In assessing pedagogical competence, teaching quality will be the primary consideration. The pedagogical qualification must be in North American studies teaching. Interdisciplinary pedagogical work within American studies is a merit. Special weight will be given to teaching within North American studies, particularly U.S. history, politics, cultural heritage, and Swedish-American relations. The scope, including both breadth and depth, of teaching experience will also be considered.

Additional information

Parental leave, part-time work owing to caring for children, union work, military service or similar activities are considered work experience and should be included in the applicant’s CV.

For further information, please see the Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University and The Faculty of Languages supplementary guidelines.

Application procedure: All qualifications must be documented in a way that makes it possible to assess their quality and scope. The application, which may be in English or Swedish, must be completed by the deadline. It must be submitted through Uppsala University’s electronic recruitment system Varbi and should contain the following:

• Personal letter
• CV (a brief account of qualifications and previous positions)
• Diplomas, degree certificates and other relevant documents
• Account of academic qualifications
• Account of pedagogical qualifications
• List of publications
• Publications or other works relevant to the position (max. 3)

For further information about the position, please contact Christer Larsson (Head of Department), christer.larsson@engelska.uu.se, and Dag Blanck (Director, SINAS), dag.blanck@engelska.uu.se.

About the position

Fixed-term position ending 30 June 2026. Scope: 30% during the spring semester 2026. Start date 1 January 2026, or as agreed.

Location: Uppsala.

Proposed starting date: 1 January 2026 (or as agreed)

Deadline for application: December 4th 2025