PhD student in Medical Science, Gerontology, in Medical and Health Sciences

Description of the workplace

The Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, announces a position as a PhD-student with an accompanying employment within the Ageing and Health research group.

The research group conducts interdisciplinary research with a focus on ageing and health. The research group is affiliated with the Centre for Ageing and Supportive Environments (CASE), responsible for the coordination of the Swedish National Graduate School on Ageing and Health (SWEAH) and engaged in the university’s profile area Proactive Ageing. Further information about the group can be found here.

We hereby invite applications for a doctoral position in gerontology, specializing in medical and health sciences. The appointment is full-time (100%). The desired start date is 1 April 2026, or as agreed. Candidates invited for an interview may be asked to complete a work test to demonstrate basic competence for the position.

Description of the project

AI is rapidly transforming home care for older adults. Automation tools such as social robots, chatbots, sensor systems, and automated documentation and scheduling promise to increase efficiency, support independent living and relieve pressure on care systems. At the same time, they may change what counts as “care”, who is included or excluded from care, how risks and responsibilities are distributed among older adults, care workers, organisations and technology providers, as well as may shape social inequalities and human vulnerabilities.

The position is part of the Nordic-Baltic collaborative project entitled “AI for Mindful Care and Ageing” (AMICA), which explores how vulnerability is constructed, negotiated and practiced in AI-automated home care for older adults. The overall aims of the project are to: (1) generate empirical knowledge on how AI automation transforms experiences of care, care labor, inequality and welfare systems, (2) advance theoretical understanding of how vulnerability is shaped by intersecting social identities, life-course histories and structural conditions, and (3) inform policy and governance for responsible and ethical AI in home care in the Nordic–Baltic region. The project combines gerontology with critical social science perspectives, and science and technology studies. The student will focus on AI-enabled home care in Sweden and conduct cross-country comparisons in collaboration with researchers from partner universities.

Work duties and responsibilities

The main task of doctoral students is to devote themselves to their doctoral education; you will be both admitted as a doctoral student and employed at Lund University.

The doctoral education includes completion of the requirements specified in the General Study Plan for Doctoral Studies in Medical Science. With support from the main and co-supervisors, the PhD student is expected to:

• plan the PhD project, collect data, analyse and compile data and report the results in scientific articles in English
• summarize the doctoral student project in conclusion in a framework and present in a doctoral dissertation
• take the necessary courses at doctoral level, actively participate in seminars and other relevant activities and familiarize with literature relevant to the research area
• actively participate in communication and translation of research results to various target groups, both within and outside the research community
• travel both domestically and internationally
• participate in and contribute to the research environment in the research group, at the department, within CASE and the profile area Proactive Ageing

The work duties might also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general entry requirements for the doctoral program if he or she: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has met the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

In addition, there is a requirement for sufficient knowledge within the subject area for the doctoral program. A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in medical science if he or she has at least 60 credits within the subject area of medical science.

Students with a first-cycle qualification obtained outside Scandinavia are to have knowledge equivalent to 3 years of studying English in upper secondary school (a pass in the exam) if they have a first language other than English.

Additional requirements

• good proficiency in English, spoken and written
• good proficiency in Swedish, spoken and written
• good computer skills

Meritorious for the position are:

• demonstrated competence in, or methodological orientation toward, qualitative research methods and theory development
• experience of collaboration in multidisciplinary and/or transnational research teams
• experience working with or conducting research with older adults
• experience in research or development projects involving digital technologies

What we offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous holiday allowance and a favourable occupational pension. Read more on the university’s website, Work with us.

About the employment

The position is a full-time, fixed-term appointment, with a desired start date of 01/04/2026, or as agreed, but no later than 01/09/2026. Doctoral studies are four years when studying full-time. If you take on teaching or other departmental duties, your employment will be extended accordingly.

Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1–7. More about terms of employment available on the staff pages.

How to apply

The position is sought via the university’s recruitment system. Applications should include a personal motivation letter (in English), in which you describe how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application should also contain relevant diploma, CV or equivalent, contact information for two reference persons, and a writing (essay) sample of no more than 10 pages.