The call for applications referred to 15 assistant professor positions with a possibility for future permanent employment, and at least ten visiting professor positions. The assistant professor candidates are the first to visit Lund, the visiting professor candidates will be called starting in early 2026.
Which countries provided the most applicants for the assistant professor positions and visiting professorships?
University-wide efforts
The initiative is funded with SEK 5 million per assistant professor position from university-wide funds and SEK 1 million per visiting professorship is allocated to the faculties that have succeeded in recruiting in accordance with the initiative’s conditions. Faculties and departments cover any additional costs.
This recruitment has been a joint effort that has involved working in a new and visionary way. The faculties manage the process based on the needs of the organisation, but also have the option of discussions with each other and with the University Management in order to exchange good experiences and discuss common challenges.
In addition, regular follow-ups are conducted both in the Vice-Chancellor’s Management Council and the Research Board. There are also discussions concerning a more coordinated strategy for reception, in which LU Accommodation, among others, is working on offering accommodation close to campus. The HR Division has also produced support material for international recruitments that the faculties can use.
University-wide webpage aimed at all applicants
A new webpage has been created, based on the evaluation conducted with the candidates in the previous recruitment initiative in 2024. The webpage builds on the collected wishes that emerged about what the applicants would have wanted to know before making their decision. The requests included a desire for information about Lund’s unique location in the far south of Sweden, and its proximity to the Continent via Copenhagen and Hamburg. Many highlight the region’s strong labour marker, particularly in Malmö and Copenhagen, which is significant for accompanying partners. Access to inexpensive preschools and schools with high availability was stated as an important factor.
Several applicants describe Lund and its campus as a beautiful place where architecture, nature and academia meet. It is emphasised that within a half-hour walk it is possible to reach a campus with a hospital, particle accelerators, hundreds of companies and all the departments of a comprehensive university. In addition, information was requested about what Sweden offers as a country, with values such as freedom, democracy and gender equality.
See webpage: Shape the future of research
A record number of highly qualified applicants for visiting professorships
This is the first time that a university-wide open call for applications for visiting professorships has been conducted. The high number of applications received by the faculties was unexpected, and the great interest in combination with the high quality of the applications has necessitated the development of a new working method.
Reception at the HT Faculties is in full swing
The Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology (HT Faculties) received the most applications in total, 352, which is five times more than usual. Several of the applicants have strong profiles in history, religious studies, philosophy, human rights, European studies and cognitive science. All the applications have been reviewed and the candidates who will proceed in the process have been selected.
“It’s really pleasing to see the high quality of the applications. We have got strong candidates from all over the world, which is new for us. I am both glad and a little surprised by the strong response from the USA, UK and Germany,” says Johannes Persson, dean of the HT Faculties.
There were 234 applicants for the assistant professor position oriented towards cutting edge areas identified by the faculty, 63 for the assistant professor of AI position and 55 for the visiting professorship.
To promote the recruitment they used a new working method.
“I sent personal letters to around 100 people that the departments identified as being of particular interest. Many responded enthusiastically, others could not apply but promised to spread the information. It is a working method we will continue to use,” says Johannes Persson.
With the help of Vice-Chancellor funding it is hoped that two assistant professors, as well as an additional position using other available funding, can be appointed
“By combining funding from foundations and funding from the Vice-Chancellor, perhaps we can employ a total of five visiting professors. That would be fantastic,” says Johannes Persson.
Two working groups with external experts have been appointed to manage the selection. The large number of applications has meant a lot of work for the HT Faculties. Normally around 50 applications are processed per call, but now there was almost 250 for one of them.
“It’s an enormous workload over a short period, but the working groups have managed it very well. It also means that there are five times as many questions from potential candidates, which requires a lot of extra work,” says Johannes Persson.
The recruitment system has also been put to the test. It is not possible, for example, to send out replies to more than 50 people at a time, which requires manual processing. In addition, travel and hotels are booked for eight people per selection round, an arrangement that is considerably larger than for previous recruitments.
Sixteen candidates will arrive in Lund during October
During two selection rounds in October, a total of 16 candidates will present their research project and get to know the University and the city of Lund. Some will participate online, but most will come to Lund, which is considered to be a considerable advantage. The candidates are managed in groups of eight applicants, but their presentation and interview are wholly individual.
“It’s an intensive programme, but we try to give them as much of an insight as possible. Even though only one or two of them will be appointed, it’s important that everyone gets a positive image of Lund University,” says Johannes Persson.
The selection days are carefully planned with presentations, interviews and meetings with prospective colleagues. The candidates also receive an introduction to the University’s initiatives and research infrastructure, such as the Humanities Lab (Humlab), Robotlab, AI Lund and the Digital Archaeology Laboratory (Darklab). The departments are responsible for showing their environments during free slots in the schedule.
In addition to the faculty introduction they will also meet Pro Vice- Chancellor Per Mickwitz and Sara Naurin from FSI. They will present what the entire University has to offer and provide an overall picture of the recruitment initiative and how it is part of a broader long-term strategy for the University, Government, Swedish Research Council and Sweden.
There is also a clear aim to utilise the international interest, including from those who are not appointed. There is a will to create good contacts for future collaborations and recruitments. In parallel, there is also an ongoing process to appoint visiting professors, in which three external experts have been tasked with identifying the most valuable candidates. Part of the funding is expected to come from local foundations such as the Einar Hansen Allhem Foundation.
“We are particularly pleased that the foundations see the value of our initiative. It’s confirmation that we are doing something relevant and important,” says Johannes Persson.
Read more:
- The University’s webpage aimed at applicants: Shape the future of research
- The University’s brochure for applicants: Welcome Guide for International Staff
- The University’s information on working in Sweden: Working in Sweden – quality of life, democracy and equal rights.