Two routes to a long-term research career at SLU
We identify strong candidates year-round and help match them to the next suitable opportunity. Selection is competitive: independence, research vision, mobility and fit with a prospective host environment matter alongside scientific quality.
VH welcomes expressions of interest from excellent candidates throughout the year. Wallenberg Academy Fellows, VR-BUL: Strategic Recruitment of Associate Senior Lecturers and other nomination opportunities recur regularly, but formal calls and internal selection windows have set dates.
Wallenberg Academy Fellows
A career programme from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation for promising young researchers who need the freedom to pursue ambitious, long-term research questions. The university nominates candidates; the Royal Swedish Academies evaluate them and the Foundation makes the final selection.
Who it is for
Early-career researchers across disciplines. The PhD eligibility window is defined in each round.
For candidates currently working abroad
Current published five-year grant levels are SEK 12.5 million for experimental and SEK 11.5 million for theoretical disciplines. Under KAW’s definition, candidates must not have been employed or received salary or other funding in Sweden during the previous four years. Eligible candidates may also request a one-off start-up grant of SEK 1.5, 3 or 4.5 million; SLU sets the level and provides matching co-funding. A further SEK 100,000 may be requested for moving expenses.
Long-term opportunity
After five years, Fellows may be nominated to compete for a further five years of funding.
Grant amounts and eligibility conditions are set by the Foundation and may be updated between rounds.
Wallenberg Academy Fellows programme
SLU WAF profile: Maliheh Mehrshad
SLU information on KAW and WAF
VR-BUL: Strategic Recruitment of Associate Senior Lecturers
A Swedish Research Council career programme that helps promising early-career researchers establish independence and qualify for a senior lecturer position.
Who it is for
Researchers in all disciplines. Eligibility is based on time since PhD, with adjustments considered under the Council’s rules.
Funding
SEK 3,000,000 per year for five years, with the possibility of up to five additional years of funding at senior-lecturer level after review.
Selection
A highly competitive process that values scientific quality, independence, mobility and international experience.
Host commitment
The nominee must hold an associate senior lecturer position at SLU when the grant begins. The host department and faculty commit to employment, career development and co-funding.
Swedish Research Council: calls and programme information
Most recent VR-BUL call and requirements