Postdoctoral researcher in criminology

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-02732/2024

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in criminology for a fixed-term position at the School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences.

The subject area for this position is criminology.

The School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences (BSR) offers courses and study programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels in criminology, psychology, legal science and social work. The school is also host to outstanding research. At BSR, criminology is a multi- and interdisciplinary subject, focusing on the development and causes of crime and on criminal-policy measures taken to prevent and safeguard against crime.

We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher in criminology to join the project Piecing the puzzle together: High-risk combinations of early risk factors and developmental paths behind juvenile delinquency, funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, FORTE. The overall aim of the project is to explore what combinations of early childhood risk factors – and how these develop over time – increase the risk of various forms of juvenile delinquency. The project will be carried out using existing data from the SOFIA study , a prospective longitudinal research project that has followed approximately 2,000 children in a Swedish medium-sized municipality from the age of 3–5. So far, data has been collected on six occasions, when parents, teachers and children have responded to questionnaires, most recently when the children were aged 14–16. A seventh questionnaire is planned for the spring 2024. This project will provide more detailed knowledge to the existing body of international research on the development of delinquency from early childhood, knowledge that may be used to develop more effective early preventive interventions.

The position as postdoctoral researcher in criminology will be part of the criminology division’s research group CAPS - Center for Criminological and Psychosocial Research . The overall purpose of CAPS is to conduct useful practice-oriented research on norm-breaking, criminal behaviour, and on psychosocial adjustment and development in a broader sense.

The appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is intended to enable persons who have recently been awarded their doctoral degree to consolidate and develop primarily their research skills.

Together with the other project members, the successful candidate will co-author scientific articles using the data from the SOFIA study with the aim of increasing our knowledge of the significance of early risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Duties and responsibilities include initiating and carrying out, in consultation with the project group, sub-studies within the project. Your main duties will include analysing longitudinal data, as well as writing and publishing the findings in international scientific journals.

You will also have the opportunity to get involved in the research group’s other activities, should you wish to. You will be working in a team as well as independently and will be working closely with the research group leader and the other members of the group.

Those qualified for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher are applicants who at the time of appointment hold a doctoral degree or have a degree from abroad deemed to correspond to a doctoral degree. Applicants with doctoral degrees that have been awarded no more than 3 years prior to the application deadline are to be considered first. The applicant may not previously have held a position as a postdoctoral researcher for more than one year in the same subject and at the same higher education institution. The employment is for 2 years and if it is necessary to achieve the purpose of the employment, the employment can be extended for another year. However, the total period of employment may not exceed three years. If the person during the period of employment has been on parental leave, the period of employment is to be extended by the corresponding number of days. The period of employment may also be extended in the event of absence due to illness.

A basis for the assessment is the applicant’s ability to disseminate information and communicate; collaborate and engage with the wider community; and facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position will be assessed. Suitability refers to the applicant demonstrating the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand, the ability to cooperate with other members of staff, and the ability to contribute to the development of the operations. Candidates are also expected to be independent and responsible and to possess analytical skills and the ability to carry out analyses autonomously.

Particular attention is to be paid to the applicant’s prospects of contributing to the future development of both research and education. Importance is also attached to a demonstrated ability and ambition to embark on a career within academia.

The person we are looking for has a doctoral degree in a social science subject of relevance to the project. Documented experience from working with and analysing longitudinal data is considered a particular advantage, as is experience of carrying out analyses using the statistics software Mplus and SPSS. You are expected to have a good ability to communicate in English, in speech and in writing, as we work in close cooperation with international researchers.

This is a full-time position for two years. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information about the position, contact Project Manager Karin Hellfeldt tel: +46 19 30 30 00, email: [email protected] or Head of Division Brittany Evans tel: +46 019 30 12 29, email: [email protected]

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• Covering letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University
• CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience
• Account of research qualifications and experience
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met
• Relevant scientific publications (maximum of 10 and in full-text format)

Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian and Danish can be reviewed.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2024-04-30. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.