PhD student in Computing Education Research: Knowledge, AI Competence and Organizational Support

Are you interested in working with digital work environments in schools, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD student position in the graduate school LärA-AI at the Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University.

The Department of Information Technology has a leading position in both research and education at all levels. The department has about 350 employees, of which 120 are senior researchers, 120 doctoral students. Roughly 5.000 students are enrolled in one or more courses at the department each year. For more information, see the Department's website.

You will be one of nine doctoral students in the graduate school LärA-AI (Teachers Work Environment in an AI-transformed School). The graduate school focuses on investigating how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) affects teachers' work environment and professional role. When GenAI systems are used in instructional planning, delivery and assessment as well as in decision-making , both teachers' tasks and how the work is experienced change. At the same time, research shows that many teachers already have a pressured work situation with high workload and increased administrative demands. Therefore, new knowledge is needed about how GenAI affects working conditions, responsibilities and skill needs.

The graduate school is a collaboration between Uppsala University, KTH and the University of Gävle. The nine doctoral students will conduct practical research in collaboration with schools and teacher education institutions, divided into three themes: (1) AI's impact on the content and organization of teaching, (2) responsibility, ethics and professional judgment, and (3) collegial learning, digital competence and professional development.

This position is linked to the doctoral study subject Computing Education Research, and you will be located at the research group UpCERG (Uppsala Computing Education Research Group). UpCERG is one of the oldest and most internationally well-known groups in the field of Computing Education Research, which means that you will be part of the research forefront.

Duties 
The position is linked to the third theme of the graduate school: Collegial learning, digital competence and professional development. Your focus will be on exploring the question “What do we need to know?” through teachers’ conception and expression of knowledge and AI competence from the perspective of organisational support. The research will investigate what teachers perceive as essential AI competence with an emphasis on how support structures take into account diversity in teachers’ digital readiness, previous experience and educational background.

You will primarily collaborate with two other doctoral students in this theme, and all three themes will be closely integrated to establish a holistic understanding of how AI developments affect teachers' work environment and professional roles. You are expected to actively participate in the graduate school's joint activities, such as courses, seminars, workshops and international summer schools, and contribute to the research environment through joint discussions and collaboration.

You will primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education within the framework of the graduate school. Other duties at the department, relating to teaching and administrative work, may be included within the framework of the employment (max. 20%).

Requirements 
To meet the general entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in Computing, Information technology, education, pedagogy, work science, or another subject area relevant for the position, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

The University may permit an exemption from the general entry requirements for an individual applicant, if there are special grounds (Chapter 7, § 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance). For special entry requirements, please see the subject’s general study plan.

Additional requirements:

• Very good written skills, with documented ability to formulate and structure academic texts in English.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work, individually as well as collaboratively, in an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• High motivation and good work capacity, with the ability to work purposefully and persistently with complex research tasks.
• Interest in professional learning and technology-enhanced education.

Additional qualifications

• Documented ability to conduct independent research (e.g. literature reviews, qualitative or quantitative data collection/analysis).
• Knowledge of theories of workplace learning, socio-cultural perspectives and cutting-edge technologies in society.
• Experience with digital technologies, especially for teaching purposes.
• Understanding of AI concepts and applications in education.
• Teaching experience.
• Very good knowledge of Swedish, both spoken and written, as data collection, analysis and collaboration take place in a Swedish-speaking context.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Application
In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with a written work sample and questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. This will be used as a part of the selection process.

Work sample – Common task for doctoral positions within the LärA-AI research school
The work sample aims to assess the applicant's ability to:

1. write a coherent and analytical academic text in English,
2. relate their competence and background to the current doctoral project, and
3. demonstrate a basic understanding of the field of technology, work environment and education.

The work sample is not a research proposal and is not assessed based on originality of the research idea, but on analytical ability, relevance and writing quality.

Task:
Write an academic text in English that is no more than two (2) pages excluding references. The text can be structured with clear sections or written as a coherent essay.

Part 1 – Analytical reflection in relation to the project focus
Based on the research focus stated in the advertisement you are applying for, discuss how the use of AI can impact teachers’ work and professional practice in education (e.g. school or higher education, depending on the focus of the project).
The reasoning should clearly relate to the thematic focus of the project (e.g. work environment, professional practices, ethics, responsibility or value conflicts) and demonstrate analytical ability rather than providing a general overview. The focus should be on reasoning and understanding, rather than covering a large number of aspects.

Part 2 – Connection between the applicant’s competence and the doctoral project
Describe how your previous education, experience and knowledge make you suitable for the doctoral project you are applying for. It is sufficient to highlight a few key experiences or perspectives that are particularly relevant to the project focus. Reflect on:

• what perspectives, experiences or methodological knowledge you can contribute, and
• how your background relates to the research focus of the project.

Scope and formality:

• Language: English
• Scope: maximum two (2) pages excluding references
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 points, single spacing
• References: At least three (3) scientific references (APA-7) must be used and correctly cited
• The work sample must be individually written and reflect the applicant's own writing skills, analytical skills and understanding of the field. Therefore, any possible use of generative AI tools in the writing process must be clearly reported.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 May 2026 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact:  Calkin Suero Montero, +46 73 469 7968, calkin.suero.montero@it.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 23 February 2026, UFV-PA 2026/298.

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