Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology (University of Gothenburg)

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future. The Department of Psychology has over 130 employees and engages in extensive research and educational activities, in collaboration with the surrounding society. Our research holds a very high standard according to international reviewers, and courses and programs are very popular and has been so for many years. For more information look at The Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg Research area People must acquire new skills throughout life to maintain social participation, independence, and health. However, knowledge about the learning challenges that older adults face, the factors that explain individual differences in learning, and the ways to facilitate learning later in life remains scarce. To address these gaps, the UGU-LIFE research program, funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, investigates learning and related outcomes in a large (n ≈ 20,000), partly genotyped, sample of older adults who participated in a high-quality data collection of schooling-related variables, including cognitive performance, during childhood. The overall purpose is to identify modifiable factors across the lifespan that influence learning in older age. Job assignments The post-doctor is expected to take a leading role in the statistical analyses and reporting of the data collected in the first and main work package of the research program. The core of the work will be focused on the behavioral genetics of the analyses, but the work will involve a wide variety of lifespan data from cognitive tests, learning tests, questionnaires, and registries. The post-doctor is also expected to contribute to interdisciplinary interactions and subprojects in the context of the larger UGU-LIFE research group. Teaching and supervision can also be included in the duties, but for a maximum of 20% of the time. The post-doctor is expected to do most of the work on site in Gothenburg. Eligibility A person is eligible for employment as post-doctor if he or she has obtained a Swedish PhD or foreign equivalent at the time of the decision of employment. Individuals who have obtained their PhD less than three years ago (counted from the last date of accepted applications) are prioritized for employments as a post-doctoral fellow. A person who has been previously employed at the University of Gothenburg as a post-doctor during more than one year cannot be employed again within the same or related fields at the university. Assessment In the selection of eligible applicants, an applicant will be selected who, after a global evaluation of skills and development potential, is judged to have the best possibilities for carrying out the job assignments described above. We are looking for a researcher that must have strong skills in statistical analyses and strong interests in behavioral genetics and lifespan development. Proven empirical and theoretical skills in behavioral genetics are meritorious. Experiences of working with longitudinal data and in interdisciplinary settings are also meritorious. The candidate must be a proficient communicator, orally and in writing, in English. Personal characteristics like planning ability, reliability, independence, ability to work with others, and communication skills will also be considered. Interviews, presentations, work samples, and references may be part of the selection process and be a part of the assessment. Employment The position is a limited-time appointment as a postdoctoral researcher for three years, the scope is full-time, with placement until further notice at the Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg. First day of employment: January 1, 2026, or according to agreement. Selection process Apply for the position via University of Gothenburg's webage Vacancies \| University of Gothenburghttps://www.gu.se/en/work-at-theuniversity-of-gothenburg/vacancies Please supply: A personal letter describing the applicant´s research interests and research background. A full CV, including the date for the dissertation, the title of the dissertation, the names of supervisors and a full publication list. Contact information (name, e-mail, phone number) to two references. For further information: If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Martin Lövdén, martin.lovden@psy.gu.se, 031-786 3233. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-Officer Therese Björkäng, therese.bjorkang@psy.gu.se, 031-786 1632. Application To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. Applications must be received by: August 15, 2025 The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. Salaries are set individually at the University. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.
The Department of Psychology has over 130 employees and engages in extensive research and educational activities, in collaboration with the surrounding society. Our research holds a very high standard according to international reviewers, and courses and programs are very popular and has been so for many years. For more information look at The Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg

Research area

People must acquire new skills throughout life to maintain social participation, independence, and health. However, knowledge about the learning challenges that older adults face, the factors that explain individual differences in learning, and the ways to facilitate learning later in life remains scarce. To address these gaps, the UGU-LIFE research program, funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, investigates learning and related outcomes in a large (n ≈ 20,000), partly genotyped, sample of older adults who participated in a high-quality data collection of schooling-related variables, including cognitive performance, during childhood. The overall purpose is to identify modifiable factors across the lifespan that influence learning in older age.

Job assignments

The post-doctor is expected to take a leading role in the statistical analyses and reporting of the data collected in the first and main work package of the research program. The core of the work will be focused on the behavioral genetics of the analyses, but the work will involve a wide variety of lifespan data from cognitive tests, learning tests, questionnaires, and registries. The post-doctor is also expected to contribute to interdisciplinary interactions and subprojects in the context of the larger UGU-LIFE research group. Teaching and supervision can also be included in the duties, but for a maximum of 20% of the time. The post-doctor is expected to do most of the work on site in Gothenburg.

Eligibility

A person is eligible for employment as post-doctor if he or she has obtained a Swedish PhD or foreign equivalent at the time of the decision of employment. Individuals who have obtained their PhD less than three years ago (counted from the last date of accepted applications) are prioritized for employments as a post-doctoral fellow. A person who has been previously employed at the University of Gothenburg as a post-doctor during more than one year cannot be employed again within the same or related fields at the university.

Assessment

In the selection of eligible applicants, an applicant will be selected who, after a global evaluation of skills and development potential, is judged to have the best possibilities for carrying out the job assignments described above. We are looking for a researcher that must have strong skills in statistical analyses and strong interests in behavioral genetics and lifespan development. Proven empirical and theoretical skills in behavioral genetics are meritorious. Experiences of working with longitudinal data and in interdisciplinary settings are also meritorious. The candidate must be a proficient communicator, orally and in writing, in English. Personal characteristics like planning ability, reliability, independence, ability to work with others, and communication skills will also be considered. Interviews, presentations, work samples, and references may be part of the selection process and be a part of the assessment.

Employment

The position is a limited-time appointment as a postdoctoral researcher for three years, the scope is full-time, with placement until further notice at the Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg. First day of employment: January 1, 2026, or according to agreement.

Selection process

Apply for the position via University of Gothenburg's webage Vacancies | University of Gothenburghttps://www.gu.se/en/work-at-theuniversity-of-gothenburg/vacancies
Please supply:
A personal letter describing the applicant´s research interests and research background.
A full CV, including the date for the dissertation, the title of the dissertation, the names of supervisors and a full publication list.
Contact information (name, e-mail, phone number) to two references.

For further information:

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Martin Lövdén, martin.lovden@psy.gu.se, 031-786 3233.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-Officer Therese Björkäng, therese.bjorkang@psy.gu.se, 031-786 1632.

Application

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
Applications must be received by: August 15, 2025
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

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