PhD student to join a project on gender-based violence

PhD student to join a project on gender-based violence

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our mission is to pursue top-quality research and education and to interact constructively with society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces.

Description of the research group and the project

The research group Child Health and Parenting (CHAP) is an interdisciplinary group with the main focus on evaluating society's efforts for children's and parents' mental health. Our research is conducted in projects and often in collaboration with municipalities, county councils and voluntary organisations.

CHAP is seeking a PhD student to join a project on gender-based violence. In a project funded by the Swedish Research Council, a co-designed program that trains open preschool staff and facilitates discussions about gender-based violence and associated support services will be evaluated. This includes (i) how the gender-based violence training influences open preschool staff; (ii) changes in attitudes toward gender-based violence, social support, empowerment, and service awareness among participating women; and (iii) engagement with GBV resources and service contacts in intervention vs. control areas.

The project is grounded in a participatory approach, and we see lived experience as a form of expertise. Women with relevant lived experience have been involved in the project from conceptualisation. Involving women with lived experience of gender-based violence helps ensure the research is relevant, respectful, and shaped by those it aims to support. Our research team has experience and has received training in how to work with lived experience team members and will be able to provide necessary training and support. 

Duties

Your main responsibility will be to conduct your own doctoral studies, which includes participation in both the research project and the doctoral program. You will engage in data collection, which involves conducting interviews, administering questionnaire surveys, and making observations, as well as managing collaboration with open preschools. Additionally, you will be required to write reports in both Swedish and English and deliver presentations in various contexts.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in public health, psychology, or a related field.
• Reliable, well-organised, and able to manage tasks independently and as part of a team.
• Fluency in Swedish (spoken and written).
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).

Additional qualifications

• Experience with qualitative research methods, such as conducting interviews or taking field notes.
• Familiarity with quantitative research tools (e.g., questionnaires, surveys).
• Familiarity with trauma-informed research practice, particularly frameworks for trauma-informed involvement of people with experiences of gender-based violence.
• Lived experience of gender-based violence, with a desire to use that experience to support others and shape meaningful research.
• Experience of drawing on personal experience and active listening skills to engage compassionately with others potentially affected by gender-based violence.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date X April 2026 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Georgina Warner, georgina.warner@pubcare.uu.se

The application must contain a curriculum vitae, a personal letter and a copy of relevant essays or publications, as well as contact information for two referees.

Please submit your application by 11 March 2026, UFV-PA 2026/91.

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