PhD student in Practical philosophy

The Department of Philosophy at Stockholm University is the largest in Sweden, boasting a lively community of philosophers with a broad range of scholarly interests. The department has a strong international profile: we frequently attract visitors from around the world, regularly invite internationally renowned philosophers to our colloquium, and are involved in several international research networks. We have been repeatedly selected as one of the leading research areas in the humanities at Stockholm University. The department’s strengths within practical philosophy is further augmented by the addition of the Stockholm Centre for the Ethics of War and Peace. Several of our faculty members are associated with the Institute for Futures Studies, which hosts research projects of philosophical relevance, or with the Stockholm Centre for Healthcare Ethics and the Stockholm Center on Global Governance. The department also cooperates with practical philosophy at Uppsala University and the University of Gothenburg through the Norms and Normativity graduate school, which is supported by the Swedish Research Council.

The doctoral researcher will be attached to the Stockholm Centre for the Ethics of War and Peace (SCEWP) which is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and part of the Philosophy Department at Stockholm University. SCEWP is directed by Professor Helen Frowe, who will serve as primary supervisor for the successful applicant. SCEWP aims to produce cutting-edge philosophical research in the ethics of war and peace, foster international collaboration with scholars, policy-makers and military practitioners, and improve public and policy debates concerning the ethics of war and peace. 

Please note that there is no requirement to speak Swedish to hold this post. The doctoral researcher will be expected to undertake research in English.

More information about us, please visit: the Department of Philosophy.

Subject area

SCEWP undertakes research on a broad range of topics in moral, legal, and political philosophy. The thesis work will be conducted within this framework. Our previous research has covered humanitarian intervention, compensatory duties after war, the protection of heritage in war, self-defence, moral responsibility, democratic theory and citizens’ responsibilities, rights, risk, accountability for war crimes, refugees and immigration, duties to rescue, legitimate authority, consent, partiality, and commemoration. We currently have particular research interests in the ethics of deterrence in both international and domestic contexts and especially welcome applicants wanting to work in this area. We aim to reflect the fact that the best work in moral, legal and political philosophy is informed by research across philosophy. We thus welcome applications from researchers from a range of philosophical backgrounds (for example, those working on causation, moral responsibility, rights, collective action, philosophy of action, authority) who are interested in bearing this expertise to bear on the ethics of war and peace.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

You meet the special eligibility requirements if you have successfully completed advanced level courses of 30 credits in practical philosophy including a degree project. These eligibility requirements can be met if you have acquired essentially equivalent skills in or outside Sweden. If you have not completed your second cycle thesis or degree at the time of application, you may supplement your application with proof of a submitted thesis and a certificate of completed courses no later than the 30th of June, 2025. 

For special eligibility, it is further required that you have knowledge of English, which must include the ability to read, speak and write in this language.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The selection is made with regard to the following criteria:

- Previous education in general: Assessment of both depth and breadth of previous education.

- Previous academic work: Based on the submitted writing samples, the ability of the applicant to benefit from the education is considered in relation to the following assessment criteria:

• Critical ability
• Analytical ability
• Creativity
• Independence

- Research plan: The applicant should enclose a research plan, which should cover the research problem and an outline of the research project. The research plan is assessed according to:

• Relevance
• Originality
• Feasibility within the given time constraints (i.e., full-time work during a four-year period of doctoral studies)

- The availability of suitable supervisor competence.

- Ability to collaborate: The ability of the applicant to be collaborative is determined by personal references, certificates or interviews.

After the closing date, submitted applications will be given a preliminary ranking. Applicants will be notified of their standing in this ranking no later than the 2nd of April, 2025. After the deadline for supplementing applications (30th of June, 2025), a final ranking will be established. Applicants will receive notification of admission no later than the 10th of July, 2025. Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed. Also note that the final ranking on which admissions are based might diverge from the preliminary ranking.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Director of SCWEP, Professor Helen Frowe helen.frowe@philosophy.su.se.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.