Stockholm University — one of Europe's leading research universities, located in the world's first national urban park — is currently recruiting for 35+ doctoral, postdoctoral, and faculty positions across the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and law. All positions are listed on the university's official recruitment portal, su.varbi.com, where applications are submitted online.
For international applicants, the headline news: there are no tuition fees for doctoral education in Sweden, and PhD students are salaried employees — with standard employment benefits and monthly pay from day one.
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About this opportunity
Stockholm University conducts internationally prominent research with great breadth in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and law. Key numbers:
40,000 students and 1,300 doctoral students
5,500 employees
One of the top 200 universities in the world and top 50 in Europe
Located in Stockholm — the capital, with unique access to government agencies, international organizations, and a thriving tech/biotech sector
Strategic research strengths: Climate Research (the Bolin Centre), Quantum Technology, Molecular Life Sciences, and International Migration.
Financial Benefits
Doctoral Student Positions (PhD)
Salaried employment — you are hired as a university employee, not enrolled as a fee-paying student
No tuition fees for doctoral education in Sweden
Monthly salary of approximately 31,000–34,000 SEK/month at entry level, increasing annually as you progress
Up to 20% teaching/administration duties possible — which can even extend your employment period
Fixed-term employment of up to 4 years full-time doctoral education
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Fixed-term research contracts (typically 2 years)
Competitive international salaries
Access to SU's research infrastructure and global collaboration network
Faculty & Other Academic Positions
Associate Senior Lecturer, Researcher, Research Engineer, and Research Assistant roles also advertised
What's covered
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Flight/travel costs
Documents Required
Typical documents for SU academic positions (verify per ad):
CV (with publication list for postdoc/researcher roles)
Cover letter / personal letter addressing the specific position
Academic transcripts and degree certificates (Master's for PhD; PhD diploma for postdoc)
Research proposal / statement (if required by the ad)
References or contact details of referees (if requested)
Copy of passport/ID
Any additional documents specified in the individual job ad (e.g., writing samples for humanities positions)
Eligibility Criteria
Doctoral Student Positions
A Master's degree (or equivalent, typically 240 ECTS credits) in a relevant field
Meeting the general eligibility requirements for doctoral education at SU — specific entry requirements vary by position
Strong academic record and position-specific skills (e.g., Python, ML, experimental methods)
All nationalities eligible — international applicants are actively recruited
Postdoctoral Positions
A PhD in a relevant discipline (typically awarded within the last 3 years)
Demonstrated research output
Note: Each ad lists its own specific requirements — always read the full position announcement.
How to Apply
Browse the live vacancies list on the official Varbi portal.
Open the individual job ad — each lists its own requirements, contacts, and deadline.
Create a Varbi account — Stockholm University uses Varbi as its recruitment system; you must register to apply.
Complete the application in Varbi and upload all required documents in the requested format.
Submit before the stated deadline — Swedish university deadlines are strict.
Note on data: your application is saved for two years from when the employment decision gains legal status; if employed, it is archived.
After recruitment ends, close your Varbi account (you are responsible for this).