Assistant professor in human geography with focus on (Geo)AI, regional development and spatial planning

We are looking for an up-and-coming researcher who wants to conduct pioneering research to take up a position as assistant Professor in human geography with focus on (Geo)AI, regional development and spatial planning.

Vacancy announcement introduction: What we offer the successful candidate

Those who want to become a research leader of tomorrow, 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 4 years and can then be promoted to permanent employment as a senior lecturer.

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. 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 International Citizen Hub Lund, 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 effort that 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 effort: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/shape-future-research

 Requirements– 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, 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.

The Department of Human Geography has, for some time, been developing research that applies AI to various societal challenges. As part of this ongoing effort, the person hired will play a key role in driving and further developing these initiatives, with a particular focus on applying experimental methods and advanced AI to analyse and understand complex societal phenomena. The research could revolve around the use of (Geo) AI to map and analyse urban segregation, utilizing satellite data and other geospatial technologies and register data. This work would involve both theoretical and applied aspects, exploring how AI can be used to generate new insights in regional development and urban planning, as well as contribute to solutions for challenges related to inequality and sustainable urban development. Collaboration with both Swedish and international partners provide a unique opportunity to participate in groundbreaking research in these fields.

If you are the one we hire, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of researchers at the department, including those working in the fields of urban geographies, regional development, and GIS, among others. This collaboration will also extend beyond the department, connecting with research groups in mathematics and computer science at Lund University. These cross-disciplinary partnerships will provide a rich environment for exchanging ideas and advancing innovative research, fostering opportunities to work on projects that bridge AI, social sciences, and spatial analysis.

Qualifications for employment as an assistant professor

You hold a doctoral degree in human geography or have corresponding research expertise. We will primarily prioritise those applicants who have obtained a doctoral degree within the last 5 years from the closing date for applications for the position, unless there are special grounds. Special grounds normally refer to parental leave and sick leave (see Chapter 4, Section 4a of the Higher Education Ordinance).

Commitments – what you must have in order to carry out duties

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:

A good ability to initiate, develop and implement high-quality research Good teaching ability Relevant experience from AI-related research Have a research plan for an innovative project within research in inequalities, regional development, and AI that you submit with your application Proven good leadership qualities, e.g. through elected office assignments, leadership courses and assessed leadership skills A strong quantitative background, preferably in machine learning or (Geo) AI Good communication skills Very good oral and written English language skills An international position in the research field, and 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 department of human geography 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

Promotion – what is required to be promoted to senior lecturer

An assistant professor may, upon application, be promoted to permanent employment as senior lecturer if he/she is qualified for the position and is deemed suitable in an assessment of the application in accordance with the eligibility and assessment criteria for promotion to senior lecturer established by the Faculty of Social Sciences and set out in the vacancy notice/person specification. It is important to know that you can only apply for promotion once. Applications must be submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences no later than six months before the end of the employment. The applicant’s eligibility and suitability for such employment will be assessed through a review of the progress they have made during their appointment with regard to research and teaching, focusing on the following criteria:

Well-documented research expertise. This includes a proven high standard as a researcher. Special emphasis will be placed on international publications within the field of human geography, as well as documented ability to apply for external funding Well-documented teaching expertise. Special emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s proven ability to conduct teaching and supervision at various levels of study, and how the quality and breadth of their teaching has developed over time. This includes teacher training to the extent required for appointment as senior lecturer Progress in academic leadership through an increased ability to develop, manage and conduct education and research and/or demonstrated commitment/leadership in university-wide duties Good ability to collaborate and communicate research with societal actors In the assessment of qualifications for a senior lectureship, equal attention will be paid to the applicant’s teaching and research expertise

Application

Applications are to be made electronically via Lund University's applications portal by the 2025-08-20. The applicant is responsible for making sure that the application is complete, in accordance with the vacancy announcement and instructions, and for submitting it to the University by the application deadline through the recruitment portal.

The application is to include:

(a) a cover letter

(b) a CV, including certificates/grade transcripts

(c) a written account of the applicant’s research and teaching expertise (see instructions on the academic qualifications portfolio)

(d) the research publications the applicant would like to have considered (no more than three)

(e) a project plan illustrating what research the applicant intends to pursue within the scope of the position. The research plan should include a maximum of 2000 words including references, Times New Roman, 11 points

Recruitment process

The recruitment process may include mock lectures, interviews and reference checks. During the interviews, applicants will be given the opportunity to describe and develop their own views on the subject and their potential future role at the department. It is important that the applicant provides references who can illustrate their professional skills as well as qualities that are of importance for the position, e.g. ability to co-operate, leadership skills as well as the ability to create commitment, participation and positive development for the organisation.

Form of employment

The start date for this position is 2026-02-02. The employment is limited to 4 years, according to Chapter 4, Section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with the possibility of promotion to a permanent position as a senior lecturer.