Application Documents for Teaching Positions at Stockholm University

Stockholm University welcomes candidates from a broad range of academic backgrounds who are eager to contribute to its vibrant teaching environment. To ensure a smooth evaluation process, applicants must provide a clearly organized set of documents that demonstrate both academic competence and teaching potential. Below you will find a detailed guide to each required item, recommended formats, and practical tips for making your application stand out.

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Your CV should be concise, wellstructured, and no longer than two pages (unless you have an extensive publication record that justifies a longer version). Include the following sections:

• Personal Information: full name, professional title, contact details, and a professional headshot (optional).
• Education: degrees, institutions, dates, and dissertation titles where applicable.
• Academic Positions: previous teaching and research appointments, indicating start and enddates.
• Teaching Experience: list courses taught, level (undergraduate, masters, doctoral), role (lecturer, tutor, course coordinator), and a brief description of responsibilities.
• Research Experience: major projects, grants, and collaborations.
• Publications: selected peerreviewed papers, books, and conference contributions (use a consistent citation style).
• Grants & Awards: funding sources, amounts, and project titles.
• Professional Service: committee work, editorial duties, peer review activities.
• Languages: indicate proficiency level (e.g., native, fluent, intermediate).

Use a clean, professional layout (PDF is preferred). Avoid decorative fonts and keep margins around 2cm.

2. Cover Letter (Motivation Letter)

The cover letter is your opportunity to explain why you are a perfect fit for the specific position. Keep it to one A4 page (500words). Address the following points:

• Why you are interested in Stockholm University and the department you are applying to.
• Your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the universitys pedagogical values.
• Specific courses you are prepared to teach or develop, including any innovative teaching methods you have employed.
• How your research agenda can complement your teaching duties and contribute to the departments profile.
• Any relevant experience with Swedish or international student bodies.

3. Teaching Statement

While some positions combine the cover letter and teaching statement, many departments request a separate document (max2pages). This should focus on:

• Pedagogical approaches (e.g., active learning, problembased learning, digital tools).
• Evidence of effectiveness (student evaluations, peer observations, learning outcome data).
• Inclusivity and diversity: strategies for supporting students from varied backgrounds.
• Future teaching plans: new courses you would like to develop, interdisciplinary modules, or online offerings.

4. Research Statement (if required)

For teaching positions that include a research component, submit a concise research statement (max2pages). Highlight:

• Your current research focus and its relevance to the departments strengths.
• Key achievements and publications.
• Planned research trajectory for the next 35years.
• Potential collaborations within Stockholm University and external partners.

5. Sample Teaching Materials

Upload at least one of the following to illustrate your pedagogical style:

• Course syllabus (including learning objectives, assessment methods, reading list).
• Lecture slides or a recorded lecture (510minutes, preferably with subtitles).
• Assignment or exam example with grading rubric.

Files should be in PDF or MP4 format and not exceed 10MB each.

6. References

Provide the names, titles, institutional affiliations, and contact details of three referees. At least one should be a senior academic who can comment on your teaching abilities. Do not include letters in the initial upload; the university will request them after shortlisting.

7. Proof of Qualifications

Upload scanned copies of all relevant certificates and diplomas (PDF, 5MB each). If your degree was awarded in a language other than English, also provide an official translation.

8. Language Proficiency Proof (if applicable)

For candidates whose first language is not English or Swedish, include evidence of proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or SWEPRO scores). Minimum required levels are:

• English: TOEFLiBT 90 or IELTS 6.5.
• Swedish: not mandatory for most positions, but a B1 level (Swedish for Immigrants, SFI) is advantageous.

9. Optional: Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Some departments encourage a brief statement (max300words) describing how you have contributed, or plan to contribute, to equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education.

Submission Guidelines

Electronic Application Portal

All documents must be uploaded through the Stockholm University recruitment portal. Accepted file formats: PDF, DOCX, PPTX, MP4. The total size of the application package must not exceed 30MB.

Naming Conventions

Use the following naming pattern for each file to avoid confusion:

LastName_DocumentType_Year.pdf

Example: Andersson_CV_2024.pdf

Deadlines

Application windows are posted on the universitys job board. Late submissions are not accepted unless a formal extension has been granted. It is advisable to upload your materials at least 48hours before the deadline to account for any technical issues.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Missing Documents: doublecheck that every required file is attached before final submission.
• Formatting Errors: ensure PDFs are searchable and not scanned as images only.
• Overly Long CV: keep it focused on items relevant to teaching.
• Generic Cover Letter: personalize it for the department and the specific role.
• Insufficient Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness: include quantitative data where possible (e.g., average student evaluation scores).

Further Assistance

If you have questions about the application process, contact the Academic Recruitment Office at recruitment@su.se. For detailed guidance on the universitys teaching policies, visit the Teaching and Learning Portal.

We wish you the best of luck with your application and look forward to welcoming new talent to Stockholm Universitys academic community.