Postdoc in Sociology of Law: Vulnerability in the Automated Welfare State at Lund University (WASP-HS)

Job Description

Lund University’s Department of Sociology of Law is hiring a two-year postdoc in the WASP-HS project Vulnerability in the Swedish welfare state, co-led by Assoc. Prof. Jannice Käll and Guest Prof. Sofia Ranchordas. The project studies how digitalised and automated welfare systems reflect and deepen structural inequalities, how authorities see welfare recipients, and how citizen participation can reduce exclusion. The advert requires excellent Swedish.

At a glance

• Position: Postdoctoral researcher (1 post), two years
• Where: Department of Sociology of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lund
• Start: No later than 1 January 2027
• Apply by: 30 September 2026
• Apply: 30 September 2026

About the welfare automation postdoc

• Carry out empirical research on how Swedish authorities engage citizens in governing welfare automation
• Analyse how participation initiatives address vulnerability, exclusion and empowerment
• Examine legal and governance frameworks for AI and automated decision-making in welfare
• Publish and share findings within and beyond academia

Sociology of law at Lund studies the relationship between law and society, with research on gender and discrimination, AI and machine learning, children’s rights, welfare, migration and crime, and close contacts with public authorities.

Language note: this advert asks for good or excellent Swedish as well as English, so it suits applicants who already speak Swedish.

What Lund University is looking for

• A PhD (completed or near completion) in sociology of law, law, STS, political science, public administration, sociology or a related field
• Strong empirical methods such as interviews, ethnography, surveys or case studies
• Interest in vulnerability, welfare governance, digitalisation and citizen rights
• Excellent Swedish (C1/C2) and English

Nice to have

• Ability to work independently in an international team

Pay and location

Salary follows Lund University’s regulations; the advert gives no figure. It mentions funding for fieldwork and conferences, and mentorship.

How to apply

Apply through the official Lund University page. The closing date is 30 September 2026.

See all our postdoc jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.