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.

The subject Human Rights Studies is multidisciplinary and adopts historical, philosophical, ethical, legal and political perspectives on human rights. There is an undergraduate degree programme in the subject taught in Swedish and a new two-year Master's programme taught in English. There are a large number of applications for these programmes. Sweden's only multidisciplinary PhD programme in human rights is also offered here. The research focuses on human rights as a complex social phenomenon. Among other things, there is a focus on children and youth, cultural memory, conflict, violence and accountability, legal actors, political philosophy and history of philosophy as well as the history of human rights in the modern era.

### **About the education**

The countryside is underexplored but especially significant to inform inclusive and just energy systems. This project focuses on rural sentiments about and perspectives on the energy transition drawing on field research with local residents, municipal workers and politicians in five municipalities in Västra Götaland, as well as on a collaboration with regional networks. In previous research, we have found that a deep-rooted sense of exclusion in countryside settings aggravate feelings of injustice when green investments target rural land. In this project we suggest that a more reciprocal approach to energy futures in rural areas is needed in which countryside contributions are highlighted and acknowledged. We explore ways to formulate a more inclusive planning of energy systems by centring local knowledge and rural visions for a thriving countryside. Instead of focusing primarily on compensation, we explore the potential of working with the countryside to formulate just transitions.

The doctoral position in Human Rights Studies is based at the Division of Human Rights at the Department of History. The position is linked to the ongoing research project “Justice as Reciprocity: Just Energy Transitions for a Vibrant Countryside (RE:LELA)”, funded by the Swedish Energy Agency and led by Georgia de Leeuw and Eric Brandstedt.

The tasks include conducting research within the framework of the project through empirical and theoretical studies. The doctoral project should have an empirical connection to the Skaraborg region. The doctoral candidate is expected to participate in the project’s joint data collection in the region, including interviews, in collaboration with other project members. At the same time, project plans that also incorporate additional cases, for example through comparative studies with other regions, are welcome.

Information about the project "Justice as Reciprocity: Just Energy Transitions for a Vibrant Countryside" – portal.research.lu.se

Information about doctoral studies in the subject Human Rights Studies – mrs.lu.se.

Information about doctoral studies at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology – ht.lu.se.

The education is carried out in Lund.

### **Work assignments**

Doctoral studies. Departmental work, such as teaching and administrative tasks, can be assigned. The maximum amount of such work is 20 %.

### **Entry requirements**

Entry requirements for doctoral studies in Human Rights Studies are specified in the general syllabus – ht.lu.se.

### **Assessment criteria**

The selection process will primarily take into account the applicants’ ability to benefit from doctoral studies. This is assessed against the criteria quality, quantity, progression and relevance.

For this doctoral position, experience with interviews and qualitative methods, as well as knowledge of justice-related issues in the green transition and proficiency in Swedish, are considered merits.

### **Application**

Instructions on how to apply can be found in Instructions for applying for a doctoral position (pdf).

For this specific doctoral position, you may write your application in Swedish or English.

#### **The application must include:**

- CV / list of qualifications
- cover letter
- records of previous studies
- documentation of language skills
- academic papers / degree projects
- any scholarly publications
- project plan (max 1 500 words).

Please note that you need to upload all documents with your application in PDF format.

### **Type of employment**

Limit of tenure, four years according to 5 kap. 7 § HF.

**About The Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology**
The Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology have eight 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 Department of History**
The Department of History is one of the eight departments within the Joint Faculties of the Humanities and Theology. It is a large department consisting of three divisions: the Division of history, the Division of human rights and the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies. Around 70 teachers and researchers work at the department. They undertake teaching within the BA programmes in history and human rights, the masters programme in history and the international masters programmes in human rights and Asian studies. The department also has a large post-graduate programme with Ph.D. students in history and human rights, as well as a research school in history.

We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 | Ort: Lund | Län: Skåne län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: PA2026/770 | Kontakt: Eric Brandstedt https://www.ht.lu.se/en/contacts/staff/, Eric Brandstedt https://www.ht.lu.se/kontakt/anstallda/, Georgia de Leeuw https://www.ht.lu.se/en/contacts/staff/, Georgia de Leeuw https://www.ht.lu.se/kontakt/anstallda/, Kristina Arnrup Thorsbro https://www.ht.lu.se/en/contacts/staff/, Kristina Arnrup Thorsbro https://www.ht.lu.se/kontakt/anstallda/, | Facklig företrädare: SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet 046-2229364, SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet 046-2229364, OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli 046-2229362, OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli 046-2229362, | Publicerat: 2026-04-01 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-05-01