Postdoc Position in Social Sciences (Lund University)

Reference Number: PA2026/928 Institution: Lund University Faculty: Faculty of Engineering (LTH) Research Cluster: WASP-HS – The AI Welfare State Location: Lund, Sweden Employment Type: Temporary, full-time (100%) Duration: 2 years Start Date: September 2026 or as agreed Application Deadline: 17 May 2026 Institution Overview Founded in 1666, Lund University hosts ~47,000 students and over 8,800 staff. The university is ranked among the world’s top universities and encourages diversity, gender equality, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The postdoc will join the WASP-HS research cluster The AI Welfare State, a national cross-disciplinary initiative involving Lund University, Karlstad University, and Södertörn University. Subject Area AI and its societal implications, focusing on welfare and the public sector Social science-oriented but multidisciplinary research The position is primarily based in the AI and Society research group led by Stefan Larsson at LTH Work Duties Conduct high-quality research on AI, algorithms, and automation impacts on the public sector Contribute to a well-defined sub-project in dialogue with principal investigators Collect empirical data (policy analysis, interviews, participant observation, literature studies) Present research at seminars and conferences (national and international) Author scientific articles, reports, and accessible texts in English, Swedish, or other Scandinavian languages Optional teaching duties: up to 20% of working hours Participate in three weeks of higher education teaching and learning training Qualification Requirements PhD or equivalent international degree in a relevant field (social sciences, science & technology studies, sociology of law, political science, public administration, etc.) Degree certificate must be obtained before employment decision Priority for degrees completed within the last 3 years; older degrees considered under special circumstances Additional Requirements: Very good oral and written proficiency in English and Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) Knowledge and experience of social science methods Ability to work independently in interdisciplinary projects Experience studying AI, algorithms, data, or automation effects on public sector institutions, preferably critically Assessment Criteria Research qualifications and potential as a researcher (primary focus) Ability to develop and conduct high-quality research Teaching skills Relevant publications and experience complementing ongoing research within the group Employment Terms Full-time, fixed-term, 2 years Benefits include generous annual leave and occupational pension scheme Governed by “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” Application Instructions Applications must be submitted via Lund University’s recruitment system and include: Cover Letter (2–3 pages): Explain your interest and how the project aligns with your research background Degree Certificate or equivalent Additional Documents (optional): Grade transcripts, referees, recommendation letters, etc. Applications may be written in English or a Scandinavian language. Contact Information For project questions: Stefan Larsson – stefan.larsson@lth.lu.se If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

Reference Number: PA2026/928
Institution: Lund University
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering (LTH)
Research Cluster: WASP-HS – The AI Welfare State
Location: Lund, Sweden
Employment Type: Temporary, full-time (100%)
Duration: 2 years
Start Date: September 2026 or as agreed
Application Deadline: 17 May 2026

Institution Overview

Founded in 1666, Lund University hosts ~47,000 students and over 8,800 staff. The university is ranked among the world’s top universities and encourages diversity, gender equality, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The postdoc will join the WASP-HS research cluster The AI Welfare State, a national cross-disciplinary initiative involving Lund University, Karlstad University, and Södertörn University.

Subject Area

AI and its societal implications, focusing on welfare and the public sector
Social science-oriented but multidisciplinary research
The position is primarily based in the AI and Society research group led by Stefan Larsson at LTH

Work Duties

Conduct high-quality research on AI, algorithms, and automation impacts on the public sector
Contribute to a well-defined sub-project in dialogue with principal investigators
Collect empirical data (policy analysis, interviews, participant observation, literature studies)
Present research at seminars and conferences (national and international)
Author scientific articles, reports, and accessible texts in English, Swedish, or other Scandinavian languages
Optional teaching duties: up to 20% of working hours
Participate in three weeks of higher education teaching and learning training

Qualification Requirements

PhD or equivalent international degree in a relevant field (social sciences, science & technology studies, sociology of law, political science, public administration, etc.)
Degree certificate must be obtained before employment decision
Priority for degrees completed within the last 3 years; older degrees considered under special circumstances

Additional Requirements:

Very good oral and written proficiency in English and Swedish (or another Scandinavian language)
Knowledge and experience of social science methods
Ability to work independently in interdisciplinary projects
Experience studying AI, algorithms, data, or automation effects on public sector institutions, preferably critically

Assessment Criteria

Research qualifications and potential as a researcher (primary focus)
Ability to develop and conduct high-quality research
Teaching skills
Relevant publications and experience complementing ongoing research within the group

Employment Terms

Full-time, fixed-term, 2 years
Benefits include generous annual leave and occupational pension scheme
Governed by “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor”

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted via Lund University’s recruitment system and include:

Cover Letter (2–3 pages): Explain your interest and how the project aligns with your research background
Degree Certificate or equivalent
Additional Documents (optional): Grade transcripts, referees, recommendation letters, etc.

Applications may be written in English or a Scandinavian language.