Postdoc in human rights, with focus on the digital and green transition

Organisation/Company

Lunds universitet

Department

Lunds universitet

Research Field

Political sciences
Sociology
Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Application Deadline

1 Apr 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country

Sweden

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Description of the workplace

The position as post doc (3 years) in human rights, with focus on digitisation and the green transition is located at the Division of Human Rights Studies, Department of History at Lund University. The position is linked to ongoing research projects on digital exclusion – in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences – and climate justice.

The Department of History is host department for the Human Rights Profile Area at Lund University. Read more about the Profile Area here . The post doc will be a member of and expected to contribute to the Profile Area’s interdisciplinary research network.

The Division of Human Rights Studies offers Bachelor-, Master’s- and PhD-programs.

The research environment: Human rights in the digital and green transition

Human rights are grounded in the idea that individuals have justified and enforceable claims against the institutions that shape their lives. At the same time, the world faces a crucial challenge in transforming society toward a sustainable and just future, in light of climate change, growing inequalities, geopolitical conflicts, and an authoritarian turn in global politics. A central question is whether human rights – both as a concept and as a practice – are equipped to address risks linked to societal transformations and an uncertain future. In the context of the twin transition – that is, the complex relationship between digitisation and the green transition – the focus of this postdoctoral position is the question how human rights can function as tools for equality, dignity, and critique of power in a new era. Digitisation and the climate transition intersect in several ways: new data centers and digital technologies can increase material and energy use and disproportionately affect marginalised groups, while digital solutions within the climate transition may reinforce socioeconomic inequality and create risks of surveillance.

We view the lived experiences of affected individuals – experiences of exclusion and vulnerability, as well as perceived possibilities for agency and change – as a knowledge base for addressing the research questions.

The position is funded primarily by the project Human Rights for a Politically and Culturally Sustainable World, financed by the LMK Foundation . The research will take place at the Division of Human Rights Studies at the Department of History under the leadership of senior researchers from the Division of Human Rights Studies and the Division of Digital Cultures at the Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences.

Tasks and responsibilities

The work duties include conducting research within the project Human Rights for a Politically and Culturally Sustainable World, with a specific focus on the digital and green transition. Through theoretical and/or empirical studies, you will examine new standard threats to human rights, aiming to develop a model for what human rights need to be able to address in a new era.

The work involves some travel – to conferences as well as potential field, study or archive trips – although the majority of the project will be carried out at the workplace.

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 to deepen and broaden your research expertise. The position also includes some pedagogical training. In addition to research, the position includes teaching, supervision, and other teaching-related tasks amounting to 20% of the working time.

What we offer

As a Postdoc you are given/provided an opportunity to develop your independence as a researcher with the support of senior colleagues. The appointment is limited to 3 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 | 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

• Doctoral degree or equivalent international degree in human rights or other subject of relevance for the project. This requirement must be fulfilled no later than the date on which the employment decision is made, and as an applicant, you are responsible for supplementing your application with documentation that confirms the completed doctoral degree.
• Good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research.
• Teaching skills, documented through own teaching experience.
• 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.
• Good knowledge of human rights and issues related to the digitisation of society or the climate transition.
• Good ability to collaborate.
• Ability to take initiative, be structured, and work independently.
• Very good ability to express yourself in English, both orally and in writing.

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.
• Documented research of clear relevance for the project.
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary settings and to collaborate with scholars from different disciplines.
• Experience in teaching on different levels in the university system.
• Ability to teach in Swedish.

Terms

The appointment is limited to 3 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 and is to include: a CV, copy of your doctoral degree certificate, list of publications, a research plan, up to five publications and a pedagogical statement.

Your research plan should relate to the theme and research project described above. In your pedagogical statement, please describe your teaching experience and your pedagogical approach or methods.

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

Only applicants whose research and previous work could strengthen the research team and the project as a whole will be considered for the position.

Website

https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:908591/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Research Field

Political sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Sociology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Political sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Sociology

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Other

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Lunds universitet

Country

Sweden

City

Lund

Geofield

City

Lund

Website

https://www.lu.se/vacancies

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