Post-doctoral position on the governance of AI and environment Full-time NEW

Post-doctoral Position On The Governance Of Ai And Environment

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 Department of Technology and Society at the Engineering Faculty of Lund University employs around 90 senior lecturers, PhD students and administrative staff. The department is home to a multidisciplinary research environment that investigates the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous technologies in society, including ethical, social and legal issues. The current postdoctoral position is part of a research project Exploring the Risk Governance Mechanisms Under the Forthcoming EU Artificial Intelligence Act, funded by the Swedish Research Council (i.e., Vetenskapsrådet).

Research on the governance of AI and the environment examines how AI systems are shaped by, and in turn reshape, the environment and environmental beliefs, relations, practices and forms of social organisation. The subject encompasses AI resource use, application impacts and systemic effects, as well as the norms, standards, institutional arrangements and formal regulations through which these are defined, measured, contested and governed. As an emerging and multidisciplinary field of research, it brings together diverse perspectives to analyse the economic, political and societal dimensions of AI and environmental change.

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The successful candidate will do research under the framework of the ongoing research project on Exploring the Risk Governance Mechanisms Under the Forthcoming EU Artificial Intelligence Act, funded by the Swedish Research Council, see more below. The project is led by James White, a sociologist, and Stefan Larsson, a socio-legal researcher.

The project positions the EU AI Act as a site where knowledge, practices and techniques for the governance of a complex, fast-moving and disruptive technology are being established. How do socio-technical problems (or matters of concern) emerge? How are they seen, understood and managed? How are they situated or deferred with respect to their broader social and political economic context? More specifically, the project focuses on how the environmental consequences of AI are (or are not) perceived, negotiated and made tangible within the ethical guidelines, legal documents and harmonised standards that constitute the AI Act and the work of the law makers, technical experts and lobbyists that have assembled for its production.

As postdoctoral researcher, you will be expected to, independently and in collaboration with other researchers in the team, contribute to advancing empirical, theoretical or conceptual research under the frames of the project. You will be expected to formulate and investigate research questions, generate and analyse quantitative and/or qualitative data, publish scientific work and participate in the organization of activities and research events within the project and research group.

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently, plan and deliver over time.
• Ability to generate and analyse quantitative and/or qualitative research data.

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

• A good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Teaching skills.

• Experience of work within multi-disciplinary research environments.
• A disciplinary background at the intersection of social, technical and environmental aspects of AI governance.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant's experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the research group, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”). Preferred starting date in September 2026.

Applications shall be written in English. They should include a coverletter, CV and a brief research plan that describes how the applicant will contribute to the project, and how it will build on their previous experiences and support their future goals. The application should also include your PhD degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)