Postdoctoral Students in Law

Lund University

University: Lund University
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Position: Doctoral Student
Fields: Fiscal Law, Private International Law, Constitutional Law, or Procedural Law
Employment Type: Temporary position
Regime: Full-time (100%)
Location: Lund, Sweden
Start Date: January 1, 2027, or according to agreement
Duration: Four years
Reference Number: PA2026/2143
Application Deadline: September 21, 2026

About the Position

Lund University is offering one or two doctoral positions at the Faculty of Law. The positions are intended for candidates whose proposed doctoral research fits within one of the following areas:

Fiscal Law

Research concerning national and international legal issues relating to:

  • Direct and indirect taxation
  • Compulsory state and municipal levies
  • Employer contributions
  • Customs duties

Private International Law

Research concerning the Swedish legal framework governing:

  • Choice of applicable law in international disputes
  • Jurisdiction of courts
  • Recognition and enforcement of judgments

Constitutional Law

Research concerning:

  • The legal foundations of the Swedish democratic system
  • The exercise of governmental power
  • The Riksdag and Government
  • Public authorities
  • Legislative processes
  • Oversight of public power

Procedural Law

The position focuses particularly on Swedish civil procedural law, including:

  • Court-based dispute resolution
  • Alternative dispute resolution
  • Legal procedures governing civil disputes

The proposed research project must be relevant to one of the existing research environments within these fields.

Job Responsibilities

The doctoral student will primarily devote their time to doctoral studies and research.

In accordance with the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance:

  • Doctoral students may undertake limited teaching, research support and administrative duties.
  • Such additional duties may not exceed 20% of a full-time position before the doctoral degree is awarded.
  • Doctoral researchers are expected to contribute actively to the Faculty's research environment and other academic activities.
  • Work will primarily be carried out at the Faculty's workplace.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to third-cycle/doctoral education.

You must:

  • Hold a second-cycle qualification, or
  • Have completed at least 240 higher-education credits, including at least 60 credits at second-cycle level, or
  • Possess substantially equivalent qualifications acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Specific Requirement

Applicants must normally have completed a Master of Laws (LL.M./juristexamen or juris kandidatexamen).

Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted where the applicant can demonstrate educational or professional experience providing qualifications comparable to a Master of Laws in both:

  • The proposed doctoral subject, and
  • General legal education relevant to that subject.

Important: The Master of Laws or equivalent qualification must be obtained no later than September 21, 2026.

Assessment Criteria

Admission will be based on the candidate's ability to benefit from doctoral education and conduct doctoral research.

General Competence

The selection committee will consider:

  • Quality and content of previous written work, such as a Master's thesis.
  • Ability to participate actively in the Faculty's research environment.
  • Relevant educational background.
  • Grades and grade average.
  • Relevant professional experience.

Quality of the Research Project

Particular attention will be paid to the project description, including:

  • Ability to describe and critically discuss the current state of research.
  • Clear and logically coherent research aims and questions.
  • Rigorous legal reasoning and analysis.
  • Appropriate choice of research methods and theoretical framework.
  • Creativity and innovation in research questions and approaches.
  • Clear language and appropriate academic presentation.

Application Documents

Applications must be submitted through the Varbi Lund University job application portal.

The application should include:

  1. Curriculum vitae
  2. Grade transcripts
  3. Research project description
  4. Master's thesis or equivalent degree project
  5. One or two references such as a manager or academic supervisor
  6. Any other documents the applicant wishes to rely upon

Project Description

The project description must:

  • Be no longer than 15,000 characters including spaces.
  • Include footnotes and references within the character limit.
  • Be written in English, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian.
  • Follow the Faculty's guidelines for project descriptions.

Any text exceeding the 15,000-character limit will not be considered.

Selection Process

The Committee on Doctoral Education will invite a limited number of candidates for interview.

Interview date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Interviews may be conducted:

  • In person, or
  • Digitally.

Candidates invited to interview will be notified no later than October 29, 2026.

The interview will build on the submitted application and assess the candidate's suitability and ability to successfully complete doctoral education.

Contract and Salary

  • Employment: Temporary doctoral position
  • Duration: Four years
  • Working hours: Full-time (100%)
  • Start date: January 1, 2027, or by agreement
  • Salary: Monthly salary
  • Location: Lund, Sweden
  • Number of positions: 1
  • Reference: PA2026/2143

The appointment is limited to four years in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 7 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance.

About the Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law is one of Lund University's four founding faculties. It has approximately:

  • 2,000 students in first- and second-cycle programmes
  • 160 staff members
  • Around 40 doctoral students

The Faculty provides an active research environment across a broad range of legal disciplines.

Contacts

Amir Majidzadeh Heravi
Faculty Coordinator
Phone: +46 46 222 10 59
Email: amir.majidzadeh_heravi@jur.lu.se

Eduardo Gill-Pedro
Director of Studies
Phone: +46 46 222 10 17
Email: eduardo.gill_pedro@jur.lu.se

Union Representatives

  • SEKO: Seko Civil — 046-222 9366
  • OFR/ST: Fackförbundet ST — 046-222 9362
  • SACO: SACO Council at Lund University — 046-222 0000
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