Doctoral student representatives to UKÄ's evaluation of doctoral education in nursing

Briefly

  • In 2027 and 2028, UKÄ will conduct an evaluation of postgraduate education programs leading to licentiate and doctoral degrees in nursing and related fields.
  • SFS is looking for doctoral student representatives to nominate for the evaluation. 
  • The assignment covers approximately 16 working days, of which approximately eight are meeting days, mainly during the period January 2027–February 2028.
  • The majority of meetings and all interviews with the universities are conducted digitally via Zoom.
  • The assignment is paid and UKÄ is responsible for costs for any travel, accommodation and shared meals in connection with the assignment.
  • Applicants must be doctoral students in nursing or a related field and have been active in their doctoral education for at least two years.
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Background

The Swedish University of Applied Sciences (UKÄ) conducts evaluations of a selection of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programmes within the framework of the national quality assurance system for higher education. UKÄ selects programmes where the authority assesses that there is a need for review and development and/or a need to obtain a national picture.

In 2027 and 2028, UKÄ will evaluate postgraduate education leading to licentiate and doctoral degrees in nursing and related fields. The area is an important base for vocational education in healthcare, especially nursing programs, has many registered doctoral students and is a central area in health sciences. UKÄ's previous reviews also show that the supply of doctoral-level teachers in nursing is of great strategic importance for Sweden's supply of skills.

The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the extent to which the programmes meet the requirements of the Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Ordinance. UKÄ has asked SFS to nominate doctoral students who can be part of the assessment group.

The assignment as an assessor

The evaluation is based on peer review and is carried out by an external assessment group consisting of subject experts from universities and colleges, doctoral student representatives and representatives of the working world. The assessment group's work results in a collective assessment for each programme that is evaluated. The collective assessment then forms the basis for UKÄ's decision on the quality of the programmes.

The assessment documents consist of:

  • self-evaluations, written by representatives of the education
  • general and individual study plans
  • interviews with doctoral students and representatives of the education.

The assignment includes:

  • review the assessment documents
  • participate in the assessment group meetings
  • conduct interviews with university representatives and doctoral students
  • assess the quality of the training courses
  • write a statement with feedback to the higher education institution about the development areas and good examples that have been identified in each education.

The work will take place mainly during the period January 2027–February 2028 and will begin with an introduction to the assignment and initial meetings with higher education institutions, doctoral students and representatives of the working world. The majority of the assessment group meetings and all interviews with the higher education institutions will be conducted via Zoom. UKÄ plans to make a decision on the results of the evaluation in the middle of the spring semester 2028. A final dialogue meeting will then be held with the higher education institutions and assessment groups before the summer of 2028.

The assignment as a doctoral student representative corresponds to approximately 16 working days, of which approximately eight are meeting days (some of them full days). UKÄ pays a fixed fee of approximately SEK 37,000 and covers the costs of any travel, overnight accommodation and shared meals in connection with the assignment.

The assignment as an assessor requires integrity and impartiality. The person appointed as an assessor shall provide information about any potential conflicts of interest to UKÄ.

We are looking for

SFS is seeking four doctoral student representatives to nominate for UKÄ's evaluation of postgraduate education leading to licentiate and doctoral degrees in nursing and related fields.

To take on the role of doctoral student representative in the evaluation, you need to have the ability to adopt a neutral and professional approach to the evaluation object, be able to apply an inclusive working method, and be able to analyze data and express yourself well in speech and writing.

You who are applying must:

  • be enrolled as a doctoral student in a program in nursing or a related field
  • have been active in your doctoral education for at least two years
  • understand Swedish in speech and writing.

It is an advantage if you have:

  • experience of working with issues related to the doctoral education environment
  • experience of working with doctoral student influence.

We welcome applications from both Swedish and international doctoral students. UKÄ strives for an even gender distribution in the assessment groups. Please note that SFS nominates candidates to UKÄ and that it is UKÄ that assembles the assessment group. 

Application

The application is sent via email to [email protected] latest on October 21, 2026. The application must contain:

  • CV, including name, year of birth, contact details and details of ongoing research studies
  • a brief description of your background and motivation (maximum one page).
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The above information will be sent to UKÄ in connection with SFS's collective nomination. By submitting this information, you agree that SFS will process your information in line with SFS's personal data policy.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].