Postdoc Position in Literature

Lund University

Job Description

Lunds universitet

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46 000 students and 8 500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard equality, equal opportunities and diversity as a strength and an asset.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in Comparative Literature to join the research environment Komplitt at the Centre for Languages and Literature

We welcome applications for a three-year postdoctoral position based at Komplitt – Forum for Comparative Literature, an interdisciplinary research environment at the Centre for Languages and Literature. Komplitt has been active since 2013 and maintains long-standing collaborations with universities abroad. The environment is led by a steering committee drawn from various subjects within literary studies at the Centre for Languages and Literature.

The research project "Censorship, 'banned books', and persecuted authors"

The position is linked to an interdisciplinary project on censored and banned literature, freedom of expression, and human rights, conducted by Komplitt in collaboration with the Dawit Isaak Library in Malmö, the research infrastructure GRIDH at the University of Gothenburg, Swedish PEN, and the Swedish Institute for Children’s Books. The project’s overall objective is to map and analyse the manifestations and effects of censorship, and includes, among other things, the expansion of the research database The Dawit Isaak Database of Censorship.

Tasks and responsibilities

You will conduct innovative research on literary censorship in connection to Komplitt’s international network and the aforementioned collaborative project. You will also participate in the planning and execution of seminars and academic conferences on censorship, banned books, and persecuted authors.

The position is a career development post, and its purpose is to act as an initial step on a career path by providing the opportunity to deepen and broaden your research expertise. The position also includes some pedagogical training. Teaching, supervision and other teaching-related duties may also be included in the duties, but up to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time.

What we offer

As a Postdoc you are provided an opportunity to develop your independence as a researcher with the support of senior colleagues. The appointment is limited to three years and is full time in accordance with the Agreement regarding fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow. International employees are supported in their move to Sweden. If you have a family, they will find new contacts and support through Lund’s International Citizen Hub.

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favourable occupational pension. Find out more on the University website about working with us Work at Lund University.

Ready to shape the future of research? Find more reasons why Lund University and the HT Faculties is right for you here, and learn more about Working in Lund, Moving to Lund and Living in Lund.

Qualifications

The assessment will primarily be based on your research merits and your potential as a researcher. Particular emphasis will be placed on research competence within the subject area.

Qualification requirements

  • a doctoral degree, or an equivalent foreign degree, in Literature or a language subject with a specialisation in literature. The doctoral degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made; applicants must submit documentation verifying the completed degree prior to this date

  • an independently developed project plan describing a research project on literary censorship, freedom of expression, and human rights

  • a demonstrated ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.

  • experience in comparative literature research

  • documented good collaboration skills

  • teaching proficiency

  • documented excellent proficiency in English and at least two other languages.

  • you have not previously been employed as a postdoc researcher under the existing agreement on fixed-term postdoc employment for more than one year in the same or a related subject area with Lund University

Desired qualifications

  • completed doctoral degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. If there are special circumstances such as leave of absence because of illness, parental leave, position as elected representative in trade union organisations, military service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area, this time can be deducted from the time elapsed since the doctoral degree was completed

  • experience of research on censorship, persecuted authors, and banned books

  • experience of cross-disciplinary and methodologically innovative research

  • experience of collaboration between academia and other agents and stakeholders

  • broad language proficiency

Terms

The appointment is limited to three years and is full time in accordance with the Agreement regarding fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow.

How to apply

Your application should be written in English.

As part of your application, you must attach a project plan describing a research project on literature, censorship, and human rights. The project must cover at least three linguistic or cultural areas and incorporate interdisciplinary and/or methodologically innovative approaches, for example in relation to specific materials or research infrastructures. The project plan must clearly outline the intended implementation and research output of the project.

You can find instructions on how to compile an application, including your project plan, here: How to apply for a postdoc position at the Joint Faculties of Humanity and Theology | The joint faculties of humanities and theology

In addition to the research plan and doctoral thesis, you may also submit up to five publications.

About The Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology

The Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology have seven departments and carries out large and varied work within research and education with the purpose to understand people as cultural and social beings. The faculties have around 700 employees and around 4000 students.

About the Centre for Languages and Literature

The Centre for Languages and Literature (SOL) is Sweden's largest institution specialising in languages, linguistics, comparative literature and area studies. SOL offers a large number of independent courses complemented by a growing number of undergraduate and graduate programmes. With 36 subjects and some 30 postgraduate programmes, SOL forms a solid unit with breadth and depth in teaching and research and is distinguished by both national and international visibility. SOL is led by a board of which the Head of Department is chairman. In addition, there are three Assistant Heads of Department with special operational responsibilities. The centre has 300 employees and 8 000 students including around 100 doctoral students.

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Job Details

  • Type of employment: Temporary position

  • Contract type: Full time

  • First day of employment: 1 March 2027 or by agreement

  • Salary: Monthly salary

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