In total, 968 people from all over the world applied for the 15 assistant professorships. The position at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology was most sought after with 234 applications. The smaller faculties also succeeded in attracting strong interest – the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts, for example, received 68 applications for its position in artistic research and AI.
The positions as visiting professor also generated a lot of interest. Over 357 people have applied for the positions at the six faculties taking part in the initiative.
However, it is not only the number of applicants that matters. The most important aspect is that we succeed in attracting researchers with strong qualifications and innovative ideas. The review by external experts will provide a clearer picture of the qualifications of the candidates for the assistant professor positions. Even at this point, several faculties have reported that the applications for both types of position are of very high quality. I have heard deans say that several world-leading researchers have applied for visiting professorships, which is very pleasing.
The fact that there has been such great interest is proof of the good reputation our University has for high-quality research and education. But it is also a result of the fantastic work that so many staff members, departments and faculties have done during the summer. Through your personal contacts, social media channels, conferences and other contexts you have spread information about the positions in a way that has really made a difference. Your efforts have reinforced each other and created a unified force that has given us increased visibility. A big thank you to you all.
During the autumn we will work on three parallel processes linked to the assistant professor initiative:
- Completion of recruitment: The academic appointments boards will play a central role in selecting who is to be offered the positions. But it is also important that we communicate with all the applicants, even those who are not selected for a position, in a way that underpins continued good relations and strengthens our reputation and future networks.
- Nominations for the Swedish Research Council’s call concerning assistant professors (associate senior lecturers): The University will select 10 candidates for the Council’s forthcoming call in January 2026. The selection will be made by the central Research Board in December.
- Evaluation and future planning: We will then analyse the year’s assistant professor initiative and come to a decision on a possible corresponding initiative in 2026.
The recruitment of visiting professors is also proceeding rapidly. The faculties’ reviews will soon show whether the applications are of the quality that we hope for. If that is the case, we will need to discuss how we can ensure funding to recruit several of these top candidates.
In a situation where many countries are drastically reducing resources for research, it is really positive that Sweden and Lund University can recruit both early-career researchers and visiting professors who together with us will make Lund University even better. Along with many of the more than 1,300 people who have shown interest in Lund University, we will build new networks and collaborations to benefit our research, education and external engagement.
/ Per Mickwitz, pro vice-chancellor
Further reading
- Information from the Swedish Research Council: The call concerning assistant professors (associate senior lecturers). (in Swedish).
- Read the article about the recruitment on lunduniversity.lu.se: Lund University’s largest ever international recruitment drive attracts great interest
