Lund University’s body of researchers is getting reinforcements. If all goes according to plan, no fewer than 25 new researchers from all over the world will arrive in Lund this autumn. The recruitment targets are both early-career researchers and professors.
“In an uncertain world where free research and education are under intense pressure, Lund University is making its largest ever investment in international recruitment. The aim is to attract young talent in order to build creative environments for future research and education, while also linking established leading researchers to the University,” says Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.
A total of 15 assistant professors (associate senior lecturers) will be recruited to all faculties at Lund University. Eight of the positions have a specific focus on AI research. Ten visiting professors will also be recruited.
“The aim is broad recruitment to attract international researchers to AI and other areas in which the University has a strategic focus. This investment strengthens Lund University’s position as a leading research university, both nationally and internationally,” says Erik Renström.
The investment, totalling SEK 85 million, is drawn from university-wide funding. The cost for the assistant professors is SEK 75 million and the corresponding figure for the visiting professors is SEK 10 million. Additional funding may be allocated by departments and faculties.
Lund University currently has around 3,400 salaried employees in the research staff category.
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The investment has two parts:
An assistant professorship (also known as an associate senior lectureship) is a career development position for early-career researchers that aims to lead to permanent employment as a senior lecturer. The focus is on recruiting top international researchers at an early stage of their career and the initiative is in response to the Swedish Research Council’s forthcoming investment in career support.
Visiting professors are employed for a fixed term and scope, and contribute unique expertise that the faculty lacks within its subject area. The initiative is aimed at professors at higher education institutions outside Sweden in order to strengthen the University’s international impact.