Three researchers at Lund University in Sweden have received long-term funding from the Swedish Research Council to develop research in the fields of artificial intelligence, quantum physics and mathematics.
"I am very grateful for this fantastic opportunity and would like to thank the Centre for Mathematical Sciences for supporting my application. This grant will attract more talented researchers and act as a catalyst for new research initiatives in algebra and topology. I'm looking forward to starting at Lund University this autumn," says Adela YiYu Zhang, who will embark on her research at the Faculty of Science.
Topology studies how the properties of geometric objects are preserved when they are stretched, twisted or bent, but without being torn apart or stuck together.
"My project will investigate how to stabilise exotic quantum magnetic ground states. This grant will really speed up my research, and I'm incredibly excited about welcoming new members to my group so that we can get on with the fun bit - the science," says Jennifer Graham of the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science.
Jennifer Graham and Danqing Shi were both recruited to Lund University in 2025 through the Lund University Programme for Global Excellence.
Danqing Shi conducts research into human-computer interaction. He will use some of the funding to invest in equipment and experiments that will help him to study how people interact with computers, AI, and future user interfaces.
He will also devote time and resources to training students and early-career researchers to help them develop their skills in this field.
"This five-year grant from the Swedish Research Council means a great deal to me as an early-career researcher. It gives me the opportunity to focus on long-term research that tackles important and challenging research questions and pushes the boundaries," says Danqing Shi of Lund University's Faculty of Engineering (LTH).
Strategic recruitment
This initiative forms part of the Government's mandate to the Swedish Research Council to establish a programme for strategic recruitment, with a particular focus on the national career-development position of associate senior lecturer. The aim is to strengthen higher education institutions' ability to recruit outstanding researchers early in their careers and to create the long-term conditions necessary for research of the highest scientific quality.
Through this initiative, the selected researchers have been awarded funding at the level of associate senior lecturer for five years, amounting to SEK 15 million each, with the possibility of further funding at the level of senior lecturer following a review.
A total of 109 applications were received by the Swedish Research Council, of which 22 were awarded funding.
Researchers recruited as associate senior lecturers - vr.se (in Swedish)
