Senior Lecturer In Arabic, Fixed-Term Position

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 Languages and Literatures (Institutionen för språk och litteraturer) is the largest department within the Faculty of Humanities, with 16 different languages, approximately 90 employees, approximately 1,090 full-time equivalent students and an annual turnover of more than SEK 110 million. The Department’s research addresses the languages and literatures of the world through broad contextualisation and on the basis of a wide range of theoretical approaches and specific applications. The Department is part of the Faculty of Humanities and is located in modern premises in central Gothenburg, close to Götaplatsen. 

For more information about the Department, please visit Department of Languages and Literatures, University of Gothenburg

Position 

Senior Lecturer 

Subject 

Arabic 

Subject description

Courses in Arabic are offered as standalone courses at all levels: first-cycle, second-cycle and doctoral level. The first-cycle courses comprise four semesters, of which semester 1 is intended for beginners. During semesters 1 and 2, courses in Modern Standard Arabic and spoken Arabic dialect are taught in parallel, with the former focusing on reading and writing skills and the latter on speaking and listening comprehension. These skills are further developed during semester 3. During semester 4, students complete an independent project for a Bachelor’s degree and deepen their theoretical knowledge on a research-based foundation. 

The subject offers both campus-based and online courses. It also offers courses for mother-tongue teachers of Arabic, focusing on teaching and learning, multilingualism and culture. 

Research in Arabic is conducted in linguistics, literary studies and cultural history. Research in Arabic also forms part of the Department’s interdisciplinary research areas. 

Duties 

The duties include teaching Arabic language, literature and language proficiency at first-cycle level, beginning with the introductory course for beginners. The duties also include designing, assessing and marking examinations. 

The introductory course focuses on, but is not limited to, communicative skills. Teaching is primarily conducted during daytime on campus, but to some extent also online and in the evenings. Teaching on courses for mother-tongue teachers of Arabic, as well as on interdisciplinary courses and programmes, may also be required. Teaching is conducted in English or Swedish, as well as in Arabic. 

Most of the work is to be carried out on site at the Department, and the successful candidate is expected to participate actively and constructively in the work of the teaching team and in the Department’s development and work environment activities, including staff meetings and other internal meetings and conferences. 

The position may also include other duties, such as administrative tasks and development work. 

Work within the subject is carried out by a teaching team, and the successful candidate is expected to contribute constructively and in a collegial spirit to both the subject and the Department as a whole. 

Qualifications 

Qualifications for appointment as teaching staff are regulated by Chapter 4 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen) and the University of Gothenburg’s Appointments Procedure. 

To be qualified for appointment as Senior Lecturer in Arabic, the applicant must have demonstrated teaching expertise and have been awarded a doctoral degree in Arabic or another subject considered relevant by the recruiting Department, or possess equivalent research expertise. 

Good proficiency in English and Arabic and the ability to teach in both languages are required from the start of the appointment. 

Assessment criteria 

The assessment criteria for appointment as teaching staff are regulated by Chapter 4 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen) and the University of Gothenburg’s Appointments Procedure. 

In the selection process, primary consideration will be given to documented qualifications in the following areas: 

• Teaching expertise in campus-based and online teaching of Arabic 

• Experience of supervision and examination in Arabic 

• A good ability to teach Arabic in English and Arabic 

• Research qualifications in Arabic, which will be assessed with particular regard to their degree of originality and international relevance 

Secondary consideration will be given to the following qualifications: 

• Management and administration of teaching, e.g. responsibility for a course 

• Training in teaching and learning in higher education 

• Established links and active participation in national and international networks 

• Collaboration with wider society 

Good proficiency in Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) and the ability to teach in that language are considered a strong merit. Additional merits include experience of teaching an Arabic dialect and native or near-native proficiency in Arabic. 

The ability to teach in Arabic and English will be assessed through an interview that includes a brief pedagogical reflection. References may also form part of the assessment. During the interview, particular consideration will be given to how well the applicant presents their reflection in English and participates in an interview conducted in English or Swedish (or another Scandinavian language), with elements in Arabic. 

The position will be offered to the applicant who, following an overall assessment of expertise and potential for development, is considered suitable and is recognised as having the best qualifications for carrying out the duties included in the position. Suitability for the position will therefore also be taken into account in the overall assessment, particularly professional maturity, ability to collaborate and communicate, sense of responsibility, and the ability to contribute constructively to the organisation and to a positive work environment. 

Employment 

Number of positions: One or more 
Type of employment: Fixed-term employment until 30 June 2027 
Extent: 100% 
Location: Department of Languages and Literatures 
Start date: 11 January 2027, or as agreed 

Additional information about the position 

Applications are submitted through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. For instructions on applications for teaching positions, applicants are referred to the Faculty of Humanities’ guidelines: Application for position | University of Gothenburg 
 

The following documents must be included with the application: 

• Cover letter 
• List of qualifications and employment history (CV) 
• Description of research and teaching activities, including reflections on research and teaching 
• Qualifications Portfolio I: Research qualifications 
• Qualifications Portfolio II: Teaching qualifications 
• Qualifications Portfolio III: Qualifications relating to collaboration with wider society
• Qualifications Portfolio IV: Management and administrative qualifications 
• Publications submitted for consideration (maximum 5), together with a separate list of these publications 
• Doctoral degree certificate 
• Doctoral thesis 
• References: names and telephone numbers of two referees 

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete by the application deadline. An incomplete application will be assessed on the basis of the documents submitted. 

Contact information 

For further information about the position, please contact Director of Studies Magnus P. Ängsal at [email protected]. 

Questions concerning the appointment procedure, or concerning research publications, written works or similar materials that cannot be attached to the application electronically, may be sent to [email protected]. 

Trade unions 

Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here: How to apply for a position | University of Gothenburg 

Application 

Applications are submitted through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and received by the University no later than the application deadline. 

Application deadline: 22 October 2026  

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.