The position of assistant professor is an entry-level position on the academic career path. The goal is for the Associate Senior Lecturer to qualify to meet the requirements for a permanent position as a lecturer. Currently, the time limit from earning a PhD to being eligible for an Associate Senior Lecturer position is a maximum of five years. This means that researchers who have undertaken multiple or longer postdoctoral stays abroad find it difficult to apply for these positions.
"We want to utilize and develop the research competence that exists in Sweden, while also making it easier for universities to find talents with great research potential. That’s why the government has decided to change the time limit from a PhD to employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer to between five and seven years, instead of the current five years. At the same time, universities will have more control over their own time limits," says Minister of Education Johan Pehrson.
The hope is that the change will lead to greater flexibility within the sector and increase the exchange of PhDs between universities.
The regulatory amendment will come into effect on November 1, 2024.
Learn more on regeringen.se (in Swedish)