The Swedish National Union of Students (SFS) is a member-driven organisation and is the collective student voice in Sweden. SFS organises around 60 student unions at universities and places of higher education throughout Sweden. Together these represent more than 400 000 students, including doctoral students. SFS’ main purpose is to represent and promote the members’ and students’ interests in education, research and student welfare issues at the national level.
About SFS-DK, SFS doctoral student committee
SFS-DK is a committee in SFS which works as an advisory board for the presidium and board of SFS in questions regarding third cycle, research and the general conditions of doctoral students. SFS-DK aims to enable SFS to influence the development of the third cycle education, research, and the general conditions of doctoral students in Sweden. SFS-DK also work within SFS to put these issues to light. SFS-DK consists of 7 members who are doctoral students at Swedish higher education institutions. Of these 7 members one is the chairperson of SFS-DK, and 1-2 are vice-chairs of SFS-DK. SFS-DK has a mandate period from 1st of August to 31st of July.
The tasks of chair of SFS-DK
As chairperson of SFS-DK, you are the national representative for doctoral students in Sweden together with the SFS presidium. The main tasks of the chairperson include leading the work of SFS-DK, maintaining contact with the SFS presidium and board, and other representational work. The chairperson of SFS-DK is expected to spend 50 working days in total on the task.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a doctoral student at a Swedish higher education institution
- Can communicate in English both orally and in written form
- Has the ability to collaborate well with others, both internally and externally
It is also of merit if you have:
- Have experience with student representation and/or doctoral representation
- Have experience of the Swedish student union system
- Have experience of working within the higher education sector
- Understand written and spoken Swedish
- Have experience with a leadership position, organisational work and representing others
- Have a great interest in representing doctoral students at the national level
The tasks of vice-chairs of SFS-DK
The vice-chairs of SFS-DK are expected to work closely together with the chair of SFS-DK. This includes planning the meetings and other work of SFS-DK as well as representing SFS-DK within the organisation of SFS. Members of DK can be entitled prolongation according to SUHF recommendation REK. 2020:2.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a doctoral student at a Swedish higher education institution
- Can communicate in English both orally and in written form
- Has the ability to collaborate well with others, both internally and externally
It is also of merit if you have:
- Experience with student representation and/or doctoral representation at university level
- Leadership experience
The tasks of ordinary members of SFS-DK
Members of SFS-DK are expected to participate in four whole-day meetings held annually in SFS-DK, potential video meetings in between the whole-day meetings, and email correspondence. There may be some work in between meetings. Ordinary members of SFS-DK are entitled to 10 days of prolongation for the work.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a doctoral student at a Swedish higher education institution
- Can communicate in English both orally and in written form
- Has the ability to collaborate well with others
It is also of merit if you have:
- Experience with student representation and/or doctoral representation
Nomination
Please send your nomination no later than May 31st to SFS vice-president Charlotta Pettersson at [email protected]. Nominations can be made by a member union of SFS, a group of at least 10 members from a member union, members in the board of SFS and members in SFS-DK.
The nomination should contain the following:
- A motivational/personal letter written by the candidate (up to 1 page)
- The candidate’s CV, (max 3 pages, please focus on relevant experiences)
- Contact information on who is nominating the candidate
If you cannot undertake the entire expected workload it should be mentioned in the nomination.
Tag your nomination with [Nomination SFS-DK] in the title of your email. If you have any questions about the position or nomination please contact SFS-DK chairperson Dolores Fors, [email protected], or SFS vice-president Charlotta Pettersson, [email protected].
Election process
It is the board of SFS that elects members of SFS-DK. To assist the board in this matter, the board has appointed a preparatory group consisting of representatives from the board and SFS-DK.
Candidates with valid nominations will be called for digital interviews to be conducted by members of the group. The group will make a recommendation to the board, and the board will elect SFS-DK members and chairpersons during their meeting on June 12-14th, 2026.