Social sciences positions in Sweden

Yes, all PhD positions in Sweden are salaried employment with full benefits. Doctoral students typically earn SEK 30,000–34,000 per month (roughly €2,700–3,100), with automatic salary increases as they progress. This includes pension contributions, parental leave and five weeks of vacation.

English is widely used in Swedish academia, especially in STEM fields. Most research groups operate entirely in English. Some teaching positions and administrative roles may require Swedish, but this is typically not expected of international researchers in their first years.

A PhD in Sweden typically takes four years of full-time study, plus up to one year of departmental duties (usually teaching). The total appointment is therefore usually five years. Extensions beyond this are uncommon.