PhD student in working environment - on digital mental health care and changing understandings of care, well-being and mental health

Description of the workplace

The doctoral position is affiliated with the Ergonomics Group at the Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, whose focus is the interplay between people, technology and organisation, and what this interplay implies for the design of technology, technical systems and organisations.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se. 

Subject and project description

An increasing number of children and adolescents are experiencing mental health difficulties. This is not only an individual concern but also an important societal issue. In response to the growing need for support, digital solutions have been developed for young people. At the same time, digital care for mental health remains relatively new within child and adolescent psychiatry. We still know little about how it affects both those who provide care and those who receive it. The doctoral project aims to investigate how digital support and treatment interventions in mental health (re)shape the meaning of care, well‑being, and illness for both young people and professionals.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences.

During your doctoral studies, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to theoretical advancements regarding how the understanding of well‑being, mental illness, and care is (re)shaped within a digital context.

The work duties include:

• Plan and carry out data collection using qualitative methods
• Plan and conduct ethnographic analysis of digital content
• A central task is to apply the project’s theoretical perspectives (sociomateriality, Actor-Network Theory (ANT), feminist technoscience, experiential ethics and care theory) in the analysis of the collected empirical material on digital mental health interventions
• Duties also include or may come to include contributing to teaching and other departmental work (up to 20% of working time). 

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies if the applicant has:

• At least 50 ECTS in relevant subject areas, of which at least 25 ECTS are at the advanced (Master’s) level.
  
  

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required:

• Excellent proficiency in Swedish, spoken and written.
• Very good knowledge of English, spoken and written
• Strong ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Good ability to cooperate

Other qualifications

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• Experience of managing projects in, for example, the non-profit/voluntary sector, associations, sport, or previous employment.
• Experience of using qualitative data-collection methods.
• Willingness and ability to work in a team, as the work is carried out in a project format.
• Experience of pedagogical/teaching work, preferably relevant to the subject.
• Other desirable qualities include analytical ability, curiosity, initiative, perseverance and creativity.
• courses within e.g., psychology, cognitive science, behavioural studies, science and technology studies, sociology, interaction design, leadership, organisational studies or equivalent subjects

Consideration will also be given to strong collaborative skills, drive and independence, as well as to how the applicant’s experience and competence indicate the ability needed to complete doctoral studies.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se. 

About the employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting as soon as possible. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages. 

Other

Any other information such as where and when interviews will be held.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.