Lund University, founded in 1666, is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities. With approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 staff across Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö, the institution is committed to advancing knowledge and improving the human condition. The Department of Human Geography is now inviting applications for 1–2 doctoral studentships in Human Geography, beginning on September 1, 2026.
About Lund University
- Ranked #72 globally in the QS World University Rankings.
- Recognized as #1 in the world for sustainability, reflecting its strong commitment to socially and environmentally relevant research.
- The Faculty of Social Sciences is one of Sweden’s leading education and research institutions.
- The Department of Human Geography hosts around 400 full-time students and employs 15 doctoral students alongside 55–60 academic and administrative staff.
Job Assignments
The doctoral program amounts to 240 credits (four years of full-time study) and concludes with a public defense of the doctoral thesis. Key responsibilities include:
- Completing third-cycle education leading to a PhD degree.
- Actively participating in the department’s research and teaching environment.
- Performing departmental duties (primarily teaching) up to 20% of full-time workload.
- Conducting research in Human Geography, preferably complementing ongoing departmental projects.
Eligibility / Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a second-cycle degree.
- Have completed at least 240 higher education credits, with 60 credits at the second-cycle level.
- Possess a Master’s degree in Human Geography or a related discipline.
- Completed independent work of at least 30 higher education credits, half of which must be at the second-cycle level.
- Demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English equivalent to English B (Swedish upper secondary school).
Basis of Assessment
Applications will be evaluated according to:
- Pertinence and originality of proposed research in relation to human-geographical theory, methodology, and debates.
- Ability to write and structure academic texts.
- Capacity to engage coherently with theory and methodology.
- Potential contribution to the department’s research environment.
- Alignment with the department’s goal of advancing human-geographical research rather than duplicating existing perspectives.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials in English via the Lund University job portal:
- Research motivation: Answer “What do you want to research and why is it important?” (max. 4,000 characters).
- Theoretical engagement: Explain how your research engages with human-geographical theory/methodology (max. 4,000 characters).
- List of references: Up to 10 references.
- Contact details: Names and information of 2–3 referees.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Uploaded as a single PDF.
- Examination certificates and grades: Uploaded as a single PDF.
Selected candidates will later be asked to provide:
- A concise research proposal.
- An example of written academic work (typically a Master’s thesis).
Employment Details
- Type of employment: Temporary, four years (limit of tenure).
- Start date: September 1, 2026.
- Salary: Monthly salary.
- Location: Lund, Skåne län, Sweden.
- Reference number: PA2026/394.
Deadline: March 8, 2026
This doctoral studentship offers an exceptional opportunity to join a highly internationalized and research-intensive environment at Lund University. With strong institutional support, a vibrant academic community, and a global reputation for excellence, successful candidates will be well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Human Geography. Learn more and apply here.
