Academic career paths at Lund University

Whether you are starting as a doctoral student or continuing as a researcher, teacher or professor, this page outlines the main academic career stages in Sweden and how they are applied at Lund University.

Academic career paths in Sweden follow a structure aligned with the European framework for academic careers and are divided into four stages.

Doctoral student
Entry-level academic positions (postdoc/associate senior lecturer)
Mid-level academic positions (senior lecturer/researcher)
Highest academic positions (professor)

Stage 1: doctoral student

Doctoral studies are often the starting point of an academic career, leading to a doctoral degree. While some graduates continue in academia, many go on to careers in industry, government or other parts of society. Lund University normally offers four years of full-time, salaried doctoral studies, with the possibility of extension up to five years if you take on teaching or other departmental duties.

Stage 2: entry-level academic positions

This is the development stage of an academic career, focused on building research independence and gaining teaching experience.

It typically includes:

Postdoctoral positions – usually 2 to 3 years, often internationally
Associate senior lecturer (Assistant professor) positions – 4 to 6 years, tenure-track roles with clear promotion pathways.

International experience is especially valued at this stage.

Stage 3: mid-level academic positions

At this stage, you are an established academic, contributing to research and, in many cases, education.

Senior lecturer – a permanent position that combines research, teaching and supervision responsibilities
Researcher – a role primarily focused on research, often funded through external grants and usually time limited.

Stage 4: highest academic positions

Professor is the highest academic position at Lund University. Professors are leaders in their field, with responsibilities that include advanced research, teaching, supervision, and academic leadership. These are permanent positions. Vacancies are usually advertised openly to promote quality, international mobility and diversity.