Assistant Professor of Humanities

Lund University

Institution: Lund University
Faculty: Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology
Department: Department of Philosophy (Cognitive Science Division)
Location: Lund, Skåne County, Sweden
Reference Number: PA2026/1055
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Start Date: 2027-02-01 or by agreement

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About Lund University

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

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Position Overview

We are looking for an up-and-coming researcher who wants to lead and conduct pioneering research within the strategic research area EBIS (Evidence-Based Instructional Approaches in School) to take on an Assistant Professor position at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology, Lund University.

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Strategic Research Area: EBIS

EBIS: Evidence-Based Instructional Approaches in School – From Evidence to Excellence

EBIS aims to address a critical shortcoming in the Swedish school system: a substantial proportion of students do not attain sufficient reading proficiency or basic knowledge in mathematics and the natural sciences.

Evidence-based instructional approaches have the potential to address these challenges; however, research shows that such approaches are often underutilised, applied unsystematically, or lacking altogether in key areas.

In collaboration with teachers in practice-based research, EBIS will:

• Map, evaluate, develop, and consolidate high-quality instructional approaches
• Establish a national infrastructure for guidelines and large-scale implementation
• Focus on Swedish compulsory school (primary and lower secondary education)

EBIS is a collaboration between:

• Linnaeus University
• Kristianstad University
• Lund University
• Malmö University

At Lund University, the position is based at the Division of Cognitive Science, Department of Philosophy.

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Central Research Themes

• Development of reading and writing literacy in primary and lower secondary education
  • identifying teaching interventions that strengthen literacy trajectories
• Development of mathematical skills in primary and lower secondary education
  • identifying teaching interventions that strengthen mathematical development

The research will be classroom-related, practice-oriented, and based on collaboration between teachers and researchers.

There is possibility of focusing on:

• children with typical development
• children with special needs

Another theme includes developing an equivalent to Legilexi in early mathematics.

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What We Offer

As an Assistant Professor, you will:

• Develop your qualifications over 4 years
• Apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer in your final year
• Receive 5 weeks of higher education teaching training
• Access Swedish language courses (if needed)
• Receive relocation support (including family integration support via International Citizen Hub)

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Research Infrastructure & Environment

The Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology (HT) provide strong research support in:

• AI, cognition, language, learning, and culture
• Digital humanities and experimental methods

Key infrastructures include:

• Lund University Humanities Lab
• Lund University Digital Archaeology Laboratory
• LUCS Robotics Group

HT also supports grant writing and international funding applications.

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Duties

As Assistant Professor, you will:

• Conduct independent research in your field
• Work primarily within EBIS strategic research area
• Collaborate with strong research environments and infrastructures
• Develop teaching expertise
• Develop outreach and collaboration skills
• Learn Swedish language
• Participate actively in departmental activities

Most of your time will be dedicated to research.

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Qualifications

Required

• PhD in Cognitive Science or equivalent research expertise
• Good research development and implementation ability
• Good teaching ability
• Recent research experience outside Sweden
• Research plan aligned with EBIS (submitted with application)
• Good communication skills
• Very good English (written and spoken)
• Good Swedish (oral and written)

Additional Qualifications

Merit will be given for:

• Postdoctoral experience
• Experience obtaining research funding (Sweden and internationally)
• Experience in literacy and/or mathematics education research (primary level)
• Leadership experience (formal or informal)
• Ability to contribute to a collegial work environment
• Other qualifications enabling fast adaptation

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer

Promotion is possible after assessment. Only one application is allowed.

Assessment Criteria

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Scholarly development beyond PhD level
• Research output equivalent to one additional doctoral thesis
• Strong international research profile
• Ability to obtain competitive funding
• Experience leading research
• Good teaching ability and pedagogical development
• At least 5 weeks higher education training (or equivalent)
• Ability to supervise PhD students
• Outreach and societal engagement
• Leadership in research/teaching activities

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Employment Details

• Type: Fixed-term (4 years)
• Full-time: 100%
• Salary: Monthly salary
• Number of positions: 1

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Conditions

Lund University is a public authority offering:

• Generous annual leave
• Occupational pension
• Individual salary setting

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Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted electronically via Lund University’s recruitment system (Varbi).

Applicants must follow:

“Instructions for applications to Assistant Professor positions within Lund University Programme for Global Excellence”

Important:

• Research plan is mandatory
• Must follow official formatting instructions
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered

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About the Faculties

The Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology include:

• 8 departments
• ~700 employees
• ~4000 students
• Research focused on humans as cultural and social beings

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About the Department of Philosophy

• ~80 employees
• Subjects: Cognitive Science, Practical Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy
• Strong collaboration across disciplines

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Contact

• Anna Kvist – Recruitment Coordinator
• Tomas Persson – Head of Department
• Agneta Gulz – Professor

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Important Dates

• Published: 8 April 2026
• Last Application Date: 31 May 2026

Apply