Researchers based in the US again dominate the second round of applications to the Lund University Programme for Global Excellence.
A total of 723 researchers have applied for the 14 posts advertised in April 2026. The recruitment is taking place within the framework of the Lund University Programme for Global Excellence, a university-wide initiative to recruit outstanding researchers from around the world.
"I am delighted to welcome more top researchers to Lund during 2027. With their different experiences and perspectives, I am convinced that they will strengthen our research in areas where new knowledge can make a real difference. The high level of international interest confirms Lund University's strong position as one of the world's leading universities," says Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.
Applications have been received from researchers affiliated with universities in 74 countries. The US accounts for 11 per cent of the total number of applicants. The corresponding figure was 10 per cent last year. The second largest number of applicants comes from Germany, followed by Denmark and the UK.
Increased representation of Asian universities
The applicants are based at many of the world's leading universities and research environments, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, Stanford University, Princeton University and Yale University in the United States; the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Europe; and the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Kyoto University, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and across Asia.
Compared to the previous year, the applicant pool includes a broader range of highly ranked universities from across Asia.
Of the 14 positions, four are linked to sustainability. Two of these combine a focus on sustainability within prioritised research areas. The initiative's focus on sustainability is in line with Lund University's top ranking in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.
Together, the positions reflect Lund University's focus on scientific excellence and societal challenges, from quantum technology and cancer research to sustainability and crisis preparedness, business, rule of law and humanities.
Joining Lund in 2027
The positions are distributed across eight of the university's nine faculties: the Faculties of Humanities and Theology, Lund University Faculty of Engineering, the School of Economics and Management, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Funding for the positions is supported by university-wide funds totalling SEK 70 million. Additional funding is provided by departments and faculties. The successful candidates will join Lund University in 2027.
This is the second call for applications under the Lund University Programme for Global Excellence. In 2025, around 1,300 people applied for the 25 posts initially advertised. The number of posts was later increased to just over 40.
