Assistant professor in AI for Sustainable transformation

We are looking for an up-and-coming researcher who wants to conduct pioneering research to take up a position as assistant professor (associate senior lecturer) in AI for Sustainable transformation at Lund University, International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE).

The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University was founded in 1994 and has since developed genuine interdisciplinary education and research with a focus on strategies for sustainable development. The Institute facilitates a great number of external research and development projects as well as two international master programs.

The IIIEE provides an active academic environment with strong support for external research funding and the integration of research into high-quality, real-world-oriented education. The Assistant Professor will be part of a dynamic and internationally diverse team that will support research in the interface of digital technologies and sustainability. The position offers opportunities to engage in co-developed research with societal partners and to contribute to interdisciplinary projects that support the transition to climate-neutral and resource-efficient societies.

More information is available on the Institute's website www.iiiee.lu.se.

What we offer the successful candidate

Those who want to become a research leader of tomorrow in research, through pioneering projects and research ideas, have the opportunity to start as an assistant professor at Lund University. You develop your qualifications over a period of 6 years and can then be promoted to permanent employment as a senior lecturer and eventually professor.

You will receive five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education and also get the opportunity to learn Swedish through the University’s Swedish language courses for new international staff. We offer you support for the move to Sweden. If you have a family, they will find new contacts and support through Lund’s International Citizen Hub.

The Swedish Research Council, Sweden's largest scientific funder, will announce attractive funding for assistant professors with an international background at the turn of the year 2025/2026. Lund University is now making a joint announcement that also aims to find candidates that the university can nominate to the Swedish Research Council at the end of 2025.

Read more about the Swedish Research Council: https://www.vr.se/english.html.

Read more about the University joint announcement: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/shape-future-research 

Subject

AI for Sustainable Transformation

Subject description

Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Transformation is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary research field that plays a critical role in addressing pressing environmental and societal challenges. As the global community strives to meet ambitious climate targets and transition toward sustainable systems, AI offers powerful tools to support this transformation across sectors such as energy, industry, consumption, and urban development.

At the research frontier, the application of AI and machine learning is enabling novel pathways for sustainability transitions. These include intelligent optimisation of renewable energy systems, predictive maintenance for energy-efficient infrastructures, and AI-supported decision-making for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. In addition, AI contributes to the advancement of circular economy models, supply chain transparency, and real-time monitoring of environmental indicators.

The integration of AI with sustainability science not only opens up new analytical and modelling capabilities but also calls for critical engagement with questions of ethics, inclusiveness, and justice in digital transformation processes. In this context, interdisciplinary research that bridges computer science, engineering, environmental science, and social science is increasingly crucial.

This emerging field offers fertile ground for pioneering research aimed at developing AI-driven solutions for complex sustainability challenges. To strengthen this area, we are now seeking a highly motivated and up-and-coming researcher for the position of Assistant Professor in Artificial intelligence for sustainable transformation at Lund University. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the development of cutting-edge research and teaching that explores both the technical and societal dimensions of AI in relation to sustainability transitions.

Duties – what we expect from you

As an assistant professor, you will have the chance to apply a long-term focus on the challenging research questions you are passionate about. To qualify as a senior lecturer, you will also need to develop your teaching skills during your time as an assistant professor, learn Swedish for teaching, be a good colleague and show that you are good at interacting with the surrounding community. And, of course, you will also participate in the department’s everyday work and development.

At IIIEE you will work closely with an internationally diverse team of researchers and educators working at the interface of sustainable consumption, business, policy and governance. You will have access to a rich network of local, national and international collaborators across academia, public institutions and industry, as well as the opportunity to co-develop research with societal partners. IIIEE is home to cutting-edge interdisciplinary projects contributing to accelerating the transition to climate-neutral and resource-efficient economies. IIIEE offers strong support for securing external research funding and impact-driven dissemination. You will also contribute to and benefit from our dynamic study programmes and courses that combine in-person and online formats, attract highly motivated students from around the world, and foster applied, real-world learning experiences.

At IIIEE, you will mainly work on:

• Research in AI and sustainable transformation
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Communication and dissemination of research results.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements for employment as Assistant Professor

You hold a doctoral degree or have corresponding research expertise in within subjects relevant to the position (i.e. sustainability and AI). We will primarily prioritise those applicants who have obtained a doctoral degree within the last 7 years from the closing date for applications for the position. If you have documents recognised in Sweden proving that there are special grounds, such as parental leave, military service or illness, after graduating that have prevented you from working as a researcher, the doctoral degree in the subject can in such cases have been awarded earlier.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Requirements - what you must have in order to carry out your tasks

We hope that one of your first duties will be to conduct an innovative research project that is funded by the Swedish Research Council. Therefore, we are seeking those who have:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• A research plan for an innovative research project within AI for sustainable transformation, that you submit with your application. The plan should not exceed 3 pages.
• Relevant experience from research in Sustainability and AI outside Sweden
• Documented good leadership skills, e.g. through elected office assignments, leadership courses and assessed leadership skills
• Good communication skills – assessed through trial lecture and interview
• Good motivation and the ability to learn new languages
• A good ability to initiate, develop and implement high-quality research
• Good teaching ability
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently.
• You currently hold an international position in the research field, and that you have not received a salary or grant from Sweden since before 31 December 2021

Additional qualifications – other credentials that we consider desirable: 

We very much want you to thrive at Lund University and be able to make the best of your time at the IIIEE, and for that reason we consider it preferable if you can also demonstrate that you:

• Contribute in a positive way to the work environment
• Have or have had a postdoctoral appointment
• Have obtained research funding from funding bodies outside Sweden

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities and diversity are fundamental principles in all aspects of our activities.

Form of employment
Fixed-term position, 6 years, in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with the opportunity for promotion to permanent employment as a senior lecturer.

We offer 

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion - what is required for you to be promoted to Senior Lecturer in AI for Sustainable Transformation

When you are an assistant professor, you can apply for promotion to permanent employment as a senior lecturer. You will undergo a special assessment to determine if you fulfil the faculty’s requirements for employment as a senior lecturer. It is important for you to know that you can only apply once for promotion and that you must apply for promotion at least six months before your employment as an assistant professor ends.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise, which includes completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify what must be taken into account and what level must be achieved in order for the eligibility requirements to be considered fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for employment as a senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding in competition.