Assistant Professor of Theology (Lund University)

Institution: Lund University Faculty: Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology (HT) Location: Lund, Sweden Employment Type: Temporary (Fixed-term, 4 years) Contract Type: Full-time Start Date: 2027-02-01 or by agreement Salary: Monthly salary (individual salary-setting) Number of Positions: 1 Reference Number: PA2026/753 Published: 31 March 2026 Application Deadline: 31 May 2026 About the 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. Position Overview We are looking for an up-and-coming researcher who wants to conduct and lead pioneering research to take up a position as Assistant Professor specialised in Sustainability in Humanities or Theology, at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology, Lund University. Would you like to shape the future of humanities or theology by taking on a leadership role in pioneering research? If so, we offer you the opportunity to join Lund University Programme for Global Excellence as an Assistant Professor (Associate Senior Lecturer). We are looking for an academically promising young researcher who can build and lead a research group within one of the following sustainability themes: Existential Sustainability (placed at the Centre for Theology and Religious Studies) Governance, Justice and Sustainable Futures (placed at Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Department of History) Human Rights in Transformation to Sustainability (placed at Division of Human Rights Studies Department of History) Sustainable Fashion (placed at Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences) The Role of Reading and Book Culture in a Sustainable Society (placed at the Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences) What We Offer the Successful Candidate As an assistant professor, you will develop your qualifications as a researcher and teacher over a period of four years. During your final year, you will have the opportunity to apply for a tenured position as senior lecturer. At a later stage, and depending on your continued development and the long-term needs of the research area, you may then apply for promotion to professor. You will receive five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education and get the opportunity to learn Swedish through the University’s Swedish language courses for new international staff. For your move to Sweden, we offer you continuous support through our relocation services. If you are accompanied by family members, Lund’s International Citizen Hub provides a gateway to Swedish society and your new community. Research Infrastructure and Funding At the turn of the year 2026/2027, Sweden's largest public scientific funder, the Swedish Research Council, will announce attractive funding for assistant professors with an international background. As our new assistant professor, you will become the HT Faculties’ nominated candidate in Lund University’s internal selection process for said national VR-call – an exceptional chance to access one of Sweden’s most attractive funding schemes for emerging research leaders. The Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology (HT) provide unique support for research on AI, culture, cognition, languages, and learning, including leading research infrastructures such as: Lund University Humanities Lab Lund University Digital Archaeology Laboratory LUCS Robotics Group Duties As an assistant professor, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in your chosen field of research. The majority of your time will be allocated for your own research in collaboration with strong research environments, infrastructures and international platforms. If successful in the VR-call, one of your first duties will be to conduct an innovative research project funded by the Swedish Research Council. In addition to research, you will: Develop your teaching expertise Engage in outreach and collaboration Develop Swedish language proficiency Actively participate in departmental activities Qualifications for Employment You hold a doctoral degree or have corresponding research expertise in one of the following subjects: Book studies, digital culture studies, library and information science, literary studies, or equivalent Southeast Asian Studies Ethics, Philosophy of Religion or Systematic Theology Fashion Studies, or equivalent Human Rights Applicants who hold a doctoral degree obtained within seven years of the application deadline will be prioritised. Requirements A good ability to initiate, develop and implement high-quality research Good teaching ability Experience of conducting research outside of Sweden, with relevance for the current call A research plan for an innovative research project centered on one of the sustainability themes Documented leadership abilities Good communication skills Very good oral and written English language skills Demonstrated aptitude for learning new languages Not received any remuneration or grant from Swedish employers or funding bodies from 31 December 2022 onwards Additional Qualifications Postdoctoral experience Experience in applying for and obtaining research funding outside Sweden Ability to contribute to a collegial and inclusive work environment Other credentials facilitating rapid adaptation to the position Promotion Assistant professors may apply for promotion to permanent employment as a senior lecturer. Applications must be submitted no later than six months before the end of the employment period. Assessment Criteria for Promotion Assessment includes: Scholarly development beyond doctoral thesis National and international research standing Ability to secure research funding Ability to initiate and lead research projects Teaching ability and pedagogical development Completion of higher education teaching training Supervision of doctoral students Societal engagement and communication Leadership and collaboration experience Form of Employment Fixed-term position, 4 years, with opportunity for promotion to permanent employment as Senior Lecturer. Conditions Lund University is a public authority offering: Generous annual leave Occupational pension Individual salary-setting Instructions for Application Applications must be submitted electronically via Lund University’s recruitment system (Varbi) no later than 23:59 (CET) on the final application day. The application must follow the official Instructions for applications to Assistant Professor (Associate Senior Lecturer) positions within Lund University Programme for Global Excellence. A research plan is mandatory and will be central in the evaluation. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. About the Faculty The Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology have eight departments and conduct extensive research and education to understand people as cultural and social beings. The faculties have around 700 employees and around 4000 students. Contact Anna Kvist, Recruitment Coordinator Johannes Persson, Dean Union Representatives OFR/ST: Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362 SACO: Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-2229364 We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Institution: Lund University
Faculty: Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology (HT)
Location: Lund, Sweden
Employment Type: Temporary (Fixed-term, 4 years)
Contract Type: Full-time
Start Date: 2027-02-01 or by agreement
Salary: Monthly salary (individual salary-setting)
Number of Positions: 1
Reference Number: PA2026/753
Published: 31 March 2026
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026

About the 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.

Position Overview

We are looking for an up-and-coming researcher who wants to conduct and lead pioneering research to take up a position as Assistant Professor specialised in Sustainability in Humanities or Theology, at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology, Lund University.

Would you like to shape the future of humanities or theology by taking on a leadership role in pioneering research? If so, we offer you the opportunity to join Lund University Programme for Global Excellence as an Assistant Professor (Associate Senior Lecturer).

We are looking for an academically promising young researcher who can build and lead a research group within one of the following sustainability themes:

Existential Sustainability (placed at the Centre for Theology and Religious Studies)
Governance, Justice and Sustainable Futures (placed at Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Department of History)
Human Rights in Transformation to Sustainability (placed at Division of Human Rights Studies Department of History)
Sustainable Fashion (placed at Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences)
The Role of Reading and Book Culture in a Sustainable Society (placed at the Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences)

What We Offer the Successful Candidate

As an assistant professor, you will develop your qualifications as a researcher and teacher over a period of four years. During your final year, you will have the opportunity to apply for a tenured position as senior lecturer. At a later stage, and depending on your continued development and the long-term needs of the research area, you may then apply for promotion to professor.

You will receive five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education and get the opportunity to learn Swedish through the University’s Swedish language courses for new international staff.

For your move to Sweden, we offer you continuous support through our relocation services. If you are accompanied by family members, Lund’s International Citizen Hub provides a gateway to Swedish society and your new community.

Research Infrastructure and Funding

At the turn of the year 2026/2027, Sweden's largest public scientific funder, the Swedish Research Council, will announce attractive funding for assistant professors with an international background.

As our new assistant professor, you will become the HT Faculties’ nominated candidate in Lund University’s internal selection process for said national VR-call – an exceptional chance to access one of Sweden’s most attractive funding schemes for emerging research leaders.

The Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology (HT) provide unique support for research on AI, culture, cognition, languages, and learning, including leading research infrastructures such as:

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

Duties

As an assistant professor, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in your chosen field of research. The majority of your time will be allocated for your own research in collaboration with strong research environments, infrastructures and international platforms.

If successful in the VR-call, one of your first duties will be to conduct an innovative research project funded by the Swedish Research Council.

In addition to research, you will:

Develop your teaching expertise
Engage in outreach and collaboration
Develop Swedish language proficiency
Actively participate in departmental activities

Qualifications for Employment

You hold a doctoral degree or have corresponding research expertise in one of the following subjects:

Book studies, digital culture studies, library and information science, literary studies, or equivalent
Southeast Asian Studies
Ethics, Philosophy of Religion or Systematic Theology
Fashion Studies, or equivalent
Human Rights

Applicants who hold a doctoral degree obtained within seven years of the application deadline will be prioritised.

Requirements

A good ability to initiate, develop and implement high-quality research
Good teaching ability
Experience of conducting research outside of Sweden, with relevance for the current call
A research plan for an innovative research project centered on one of the sustainability themes
Documented leadership abilities
Good communication skills
Very good oral and written English language skills
Demonstrated aptitude for learning new languages
Not received any remuneration or grant from Swedish employers or funding bodies from 31 December 2022 onwards

Additional Qualifications

Postdoctoral experience
Experience in applying for and obtaining research funding outside Sweden
Ability to contribute to a collegial and inclusive work environment
Other credentials facilitating rapid adaptation to the position

Promotion

Assistant professors may apply for promotion to permanent employment as a senior lecturer. Applications must be submitted no later than six months before the end of the employment period.

Assessment Criteria for Promotion

Assessment includes:

Scholarly development beyond doctoral thesis
National and international research standing
Ability to secure research funding
Ability to initiate and lead research projects
Teaching ability and pedagogical development
Completion of higher education teaching training
Supervision of doctoral students
Societal engagement and communication
Leadership and collaboration experience

Form of Employment

Fixed-term position, 4 years, with opportunity for promotion to permanent employment as Senior Lecturer.

Conditions

Lund University is a public authority offering:

Generous annual leave
Occupational pension
Individual salary-setting

Instructions for Application

Applications must be submitted electronically via Lund University’s recruitment system (Varbi) no later than 23:59 (CET) on the final application day.

The application must follow the official Instructions for applications to Assistant Professor (Associate Senior Lecturer) positions within Lund University Programme for Global Excellence.

A research plan is mandatory and will be central in the evaluation.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

About the Faculty

The Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology have eight departments and conduct extensive research and education to understand people as cultural and social beings. The faculties have around 700 employees and around 4000 students.