Academic roles at Lund University
Here you can read about all the collectively regulated academic positions at Lund University and the application requirements. The faculty offering the position may have additional requirements, in which case these will be specified in the vacancy announcement.
Shortcuts to academic positions:
- Adjunct teaching staff
- Associate professor
- Associate senior lecturer (assistant professor)
- Doctoral student
- Lecturer
- Postdoc
- Professor
- Researchers and associate researchers
- Senior lecturer
- Teaching staff member in an artistic discipline
- Visiting professor
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For research, teaching, and technical and administrative staff at Lund University.
Adjunct teaching staff
This role is designed for individuals who are primarily employed outside the higher education sector. The scope of employment must not exceed 50% of a full-time position. It aims to bridge the gap between industry or clinical practice and academia.
As a teaching staff member qualified for research or artistic practice, you are eligible for various functions, for example a member of a university-wide board or organ, as well as the position of head of department, in accordance with the University’s Rules of Procedure.
- Adjunct professor: Maximum of 12 years.
- Adjunct senior lecturer / adjunct lecturer: Appointments are for up to two years, with the possibility of renewal. There is no upper limit on the number of renewals.
At Lund University, adjunct teaching positions are classified as teaching roles under the University’s Appointment Rules. As such, they are subject to the local agreement on working hours for teaching staff.
As a member of the teaching staff with research or artistic qualifications, you may be eligible for other roles within the University. These include:
- Membership of university-wide boards or bodies.
- The position of head of department.
Eligibility for these roles is governed by the University’s Rules of Procedure.
Associate professor
Associate professor is an academic title that signifies a level of competence beyond that of a doctoral degree. It is not a formal position, but a recognition of academic expertise.
In some cases, holding the qualifications of an associate professor, or an equivalent level, is a requirement for specific responsibilities. For example, it may be necessary to act as the principal supervisor of doctoral students.
The criteria and process for being recognised as having the qualifications of an associate professor vary between faculties and academic disciplines. However, one common feature across all faculties is that recognition is granted through a formal application and assessment process within your own faculty.
Associate senior lecturer (assistant professor)
An associate senior lectureship is a fixed-term career development role and represents the first step on the tenure track as regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance. In Sweden, the title associate senior lecturer is used, while assistant professor is the more common international equivalent.
The duration of employment is specified in the vacancy announcement and typically ranges from four to six years.
The vacancy announcement will also state whether the position includes the possibility of applying for promotion to a permanent role as a senior lecturer. It will outline the criteria and process for such a promotion.
To apply for an associate senior lectureship, you must have either:
- completed a doctoral degree, or
- demonstrated equivalent research expertise.
You should normally have completed your doctoral degree no more than five, or in some cases seven, years before the application deadline. Please consult the specific vacancy announcement for the applicable time frame.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the time limit may be granted in cases of special circumstances, such as parental leave or illness. If this applies to you, clearly state the reason in your application.
The total period of employment may also be extended due to:
- sick leave,
- parental leave,
- clinical duties, or
- elected positions in trade unions.
At Lund University, an associate senior lectureship is classified as a teaching position under the university’s Appointment Rules. This means it is subject to the local agreement on working hours for teaching staff.
As a member of teaching staff qualified for research or artistic practice, you may also be eligible to:
- serve on university-wide boards or committees, or
- hold leadership roles, such as head of department, in line with the University’s Rules of Procedure.
Doctoral student
The main task of a doctoral student is to complete a research studies programme.
Lecturer
The position of lecturer is intended for individuals who wish to teach and who hold a Master’s degree or equivalent, but do not have a doctoral degree.
At Lund University, this is classified as a teaching position under the Appointment Rules. As such, it is subject to the local agreement on working hours for teaching staff.
Employment as a lecturer may be either fixed-term or permanent, depending on the terms set out in the vacancy announcement.
If permitted by the faculty, lecturers may apply for promotion to the position of senior lecturer.
Postdoc
A postdoctoral position is a fixed-term role primarily focused on research. It serves as an early step in your academic career and is governed by a central collective agreement.
To be eligible, you must have completed a doctoral degree or hold a foreign qualification deemed equivalent. The position is generally intended for candidates who earned their PhD, or equivalent, within the past three years from the date of appointment.
Exceptions
If you are applying more than three years after completing your PhD due to special circumstances such as parental leave or illness, you must clearly explain this in your application.
Postdoc positions typically last two to three years full-time. The exact duration is stated in the job announcement. While the role mainly involves research, teaching responsibilities may be included—up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.
Extension of employment
The contract may be extended in specific cases, including:
- sick leave,
- parental leave,
- clinical duties,
- elected union roles,
- military service, or
- other relevant circumstances or assignments in the subject area.
As a member of the teaching staff with research or artistic qualifications, you may be eligible for other roles within the University. These include:
- Membership of university-wide boards or bodies.
- The position of head of department.
Eligibility for these roles is governed by the University’s Rules of Procedure.
At Lund University, postdoctoral roles are considered teaching positions according to the Appointment Rules. This means you are covered by the local agreement on working hours for teaching staff.
Please note that some postdoc positions are funded through scholarships. In such cases, you are not considered an employee and are therefore not covered by standard employment terms and benefits.
Professor
The title of Professor is the highest academic position and requires a high level of expertise in both teaching and research. The role primarily involves conducting research and supervising doctoral students. Teaching is also included and strongly encouraged.
At Lund University, professorships are classified as teaching positions under the Appointment Rules. This means they are subject to the local agreement on working hours for teaching staff.
The position is always for an indefinite term. In some cases, the role may be combined with a position at a healthcare facility involved in medical education and research. If so, you must meet the employment requirements for both positions.
As a member of the teaching staff with research or artistic qualifications, you may be eligible for other roles within the University. These include:
- Membership of university-wide boards or bodies.
- The position of head of department.
Eligibility for these roles is governed by the University’s Rules of Procedure.
Fixed-term roles are primarily intended for individuals aiming to strengthen their research qualifications.
- These positions are not covered by Lund University’s Appointment Rules.
- You cannot apply for promotion to a permanent teaching role through internal promotion. Instead, you must apply in open competition.
- You are not eligible to act as an examiner or hold certain elected roles under the University’s Rules of Procedure.
- You are usually covered by the flexitime agreement for technical and administrative (TA) staff. You must register your working hours and request annual leave according to TA procedures.
- Employment is limited under the Employment Protection Act (LAS) and cannot exceed two years.
If you are employed on a permanent basis, you will have greater opportunities to focus on research. Some teaching may be included, usually up to 20% of full-time hours.
- The position is not covered by the Appointment Rules or the working hours agreement for teaching staff.
- You cannot apply for promotion to a higher academic post internally but may still develop professionally and apply for teaching positions in open competition.
- You are not considered teaching staff under the Appointment Rules, which means you cannot act as an examiner or hold certain elected roles.
- As with fixed-term staff, you are generally covered by the flexitime agreement for technical and administrative (TA) staff and must follow the same procedures for time reporting and leave.
Senior lecturer
The role of senior lecturer is intended for individuals who wish to combine teaching and research. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification from another country.
In artistic disciplines, artistic expertise may be accepted in place of research expertise, depending on the requirements specified in the vacancy announcement.
At Lund University, senior lecturers are considered teaching staff under the Appointment Rules. This means the role is covered by the local agreement on working hours for teaching personnel.
The position may be offered on either a fixed-term or indefinite-term basis. In some cases, it may be combined with a role at a healthcare facility involved in medical education and research. If so, you must meet the employment conditions for both roles.
As a member of the teaching staff with research or artistic qualifications, you may be eligible for other roles within the University. These include:
- Membership of university-wide boards or bodies.
- The position of head of department.
Eligibility for these roles is governed by the University’s Rules of Procedure.
You may apply for promotion to professor, provided this is permitted by your faculty.
Teaching staff member in an artistic discipline
This position is intended for individuals with artistic expertise. The initial period of employment can be up to five years, with the possibility of renewal. However, the total employment period must not exceed ten years.
At Lund University, this is classified as a teaching position under the Appointment Rules. Therefore, it is covered by the local agreement on working hours for teaching staff.
As a member of the teaching staff with research or artistic qualifications, you may be eligible for other roles within the University. These include:
- Membership of university-wide boards or bodies.
- The position of head of department.
Eligibility for these roles is governed by the University’s Rules of Procedure.
Visiting professor
This role is intended for individuals employed at another higher education institution who can contribute specialist expertise to Lund University. A visiting professorship may be held for up to five years.
At Lund University, visiting professors are classified as teaching staff under the Appointment Rules. This means the position is covered by the local agreement on working hours for teaching personnel.
As a member of the teaching staff with research or artistic qualifications, you may be eligible for other roles within the University. These include:
- Membership of university-wide boards or bodies.
- The position of head of department.
Eligibility for these roles is governed by the University’s Rules of Procedure.
Guiding documents
Contact
For questions about academic positions, please contact the respective faculty office: