Postdoctor in obstetric, perinatal, and implementation science research

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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 Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, at the Sahlgrenska Academy is seeking a postdoctor in obstetric, perinatal, and implementation science research.

The position is linked to a major research and development program focused on studying the development and implementation of a novel differentiated person-centred model of care for pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, as well as the evaluation of the model’s effects on clinical outcomes, experiences of care, and staff work environment. The project is conducted in close collaboration with the Departments of Obstetrics and Neonatology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

The research group is led by Professor Verena Sengpiel and includes both clinicians and researchers with expertise in obstetrics, neonatology, caring science, epidemiology, qualitative research methodology, implementation science, work environment research, person-centred care, and reproductive health. The research environment is based at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. The working languages of the group are Swedish and English.

Subject area

Maternity care, neonatal care, implementation science, work environment research

Subject area description

The position is focused on research in obstetrics, perinatal health, implementation science, and work environment research. Key research areas include the needs and experiences of pregnant women, partners, co-parents, and healthcare professionals, implementation processes, and the effects of implementing a new person-centred model of care on maternal, neonatal and perinatal outcomes, experiences of care, and the work environment of healthcare professionals.

Duties

As a postdoctor, you will play a central role in the planning and execution of the research project. Your responsibilities will include project administration and coordination, serving as project leader for several sub-studies, organizing and leading project meetings, coordinating collaborations between researchers and clinical departments, and contributing to the overall development of the project.

The position also involves preparing applications for research funding, drafting and submitting applications to the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, and ensuring that the project is conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and ethical standards. The postdoctor will also be expected to contribute to the supervision of master's students and PhD candidates.

Data collection, analysis, and evaluation of implementation processes constitute central parts of the work and include the development and administration of surveys, conducting interviews, managing and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and working with national health and quality registers. The position further includes scientific writing, preparation of manuscripts for submission to international peer-reviewed journals, presentation of research findings at national and international conferences, and responsibility for manuscript submission and revision. The project employs both quantitative and qualitative methods and offers excellent opportunities for methodological development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field, such as healthcare sciences, medicine, public health, psychology, implementation science, reproductive and perinatal health, or another closely related discipline. Applicants must have documented experience in scientific research and a demonstrated ability to independently plan, conduct and report research, as well as a documented record of scientific publications, including publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Excellent oral and written communication skills in both Swedish and English are required.

As the position involves project management and coordination of multiple sub-studies, considerable emphasis will be placed on documented experience in project management, organisation of research projects and collaboration with different professional groups and organisations. Applicants are expected to be able to work independently while also demonstrating strong collaborative skills.

The following qualifications are considered meritorious

• Experience in implementation science, organisational change, or the development and evaluation of complex interventions within healthcare.

• Experience in research within obstetrics, neonatology, reproductive or perinatal health, as well as occupational health research or healthcare organization and services research.

• Experience with mixed-methods study designs, qualitative interview studies, survey research, and register-based research.

• Experience with data analysis using software such as SPSS, Stata, R, Nvivo or Atlas.

• Experience preparing ethics applications and research grant applications.

• Experience supervising master's students, doctoral students, or other research trainees.

• A documented ability to secure external research funding.

Employment

The employment is limited (temporary) for 24 months, 100 % of full-time and is placed at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Starting date: as agreed

Contact information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Verena Sengpiel, Professor/Chief Physician: verena.sengpiel@obgyn.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:  https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application should include:

• A cover letter describing your motivation for applying for the position and how your previous experience and qualifications are relevant to the research project (maximum 2 pages).

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a list of publications.

• A copy of your doctoral degree certificate (PhD diploma) or equivalent qualification.

• Contact details for two referees.

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:  2026-11-10

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

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.