PhD studentsPhD student? You are a student too.
Not all PhD students see themselves as students – but you are one. The union represents you too, and our student and PhD ombudspersons are there when needed. Newly employed? Start with the university's page for new employees and then come back here.
New PhD student
The university's pages gather the practical information for new employees, information about doctoral education and PhD courses.
PhD student influence
Students have the right to be represented in all preparatory and decision-making bodies at the university – and that applies to PhD students too. Every faculty board has a seat reserved for a PhD student, and there are reserved seats in doctoral supervisory committees and research education councils. Email representant@linnek.se to find out how to contribute.
Keep an eye on what the SFS Doctoral Committee (SFS-DK) is up to and join their Facebook groups. The SFS PhD Handbook is a comprehensive guide to doctoral studies in Sweden, especially useful for international PhD students – and SFS also describes what a world-class doctoral education should look like. Well worth reading.
Join a trade union
Most PhD candidates are both employees and students, so you can be a member of both the student union and a trade union. The student union can only help in study-related matters – strictly work-related issues fall outside our mandate. We therefore strongly encourage you to join one of the trade unions at Lnu; most of them work on PhD matters both locally and nationally.
If you get sick
Find out what you need to do if you get sick on the university's page on illness and rehabilitation.
The Student Health Service
If you feel stressed, low or anxious, have relationship problems or are going through a crisis, the Student Health Service is there for you – in both Kalmar and Växjö, for all students including PhD students. They believe in early intervention, high availability and low thresholds, and can be a great first contact if you are not well.
The Student Health Service also offers courses, group activities in Kalmar and Växjö, and online lectures on mindfulness, yoga, stress management and more.
Work environment
At each department the head of department is responsible for the work environment for all students and staff. If you have concerns about your physical or social work environment as an employee – contact the head of department or one of the safety representatives at your faculty.
At Lnu, gender equality, diversity, accessibility and equal treatment are brought together under the term equality of opportunity. All forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment should be reported.