Associate senior lecturer in applied physics, oriented towards machine learning

Malmö University; Malmö kommun; On-site; SEK 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Malmö University is seeking an Associate Senior Lecturer in Applied Physics with a focus on machine learning, positioned at the Department of Materials Science and Applied Mathematics. This role involves significant research and teaching responsibilities in applied physics.

The successful candidate will contribute to machine learning research, establish an independent research group, and collaborate across departments, while teaching courses at various levels.

This fixed-term position is for five years, with a potential promotion to senior lecturer.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent expertise is required.
• Ability to lead high-quality research with international impact.
• Experience in machine learning applied to materials science.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of machine learning research.
• Establish independent research group.
• Teach courses in machine learning.

Skills

Research expertise

Machine learning

Collaboration

Teaching skills

Communication skills

Education

PhD in solid mechanics, materials science, or related fields

Job description

Malmo

Reference number P 2026/1360

Malmö University is an open, innovative and international university in one of Europe’s most dynamic regions. Our staff conduct high-quality and multifaceted research and education in the humanities, arts, medicine and health, natural sciences, dentistry, social sciences, technological sciences and educational sciences.

At Malmö University, you can develop in an interdisciplinary environment focused on your research having a greater impact on science and society. We offer an inclusive workplace where gender equality and equal opportunities are fundamental principles and where you have excellent opportunities for career development.

Associate Senior Lecturer – Applied Physics (Machine Learning)

We are looking for an associate senior lecturer in applied physics, oriented towards machine learning, at the Department of Materials Science and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Technology and Society.

Subject area

The department conducts research and education in materials science, applied mathematics, physics, and building science. Machine learning constitutes an important component of all four research areas. Relevant applications include, among others, data-driven multiscale modeling, the development of high-precision potentials for atomistic simulations, the creation of software for advanced materials characterization and analysis of large datasets from large-scale research facilities.

Job description

As an associate senior lecturer at Malmö University, you will be able to develop your independence as a researcher and complete both your scientific and educational qualifications required for promotion to an indefinite term position as a senior lecturer. The position’s duties are primarily research but also include teaching. The position’s duties include research of at least 50 % and teaching of at most 50 % within applied physics and machine learning.

The primary task of this position is to contribute to the development of machine learning research activities within the department, supporting and complementing the existing research in materials science, with a focus on structural materials and engineering applications. The successful candidate is expected to establish their own research group, apply for research funding, initiate new projects, collaborate in ongoing research projects within the department, and serve as a resource for machine learning activities across the department.

The position also includes teaching courses in machine learning within the department’s educational programs, such as the two-year Master’s Programme in Materials Science and Engineering and the doctoral program in Applied Physics, as well as supervising master’s students and PhD candidates. Teaching in other subjects, such as statistics, mechanics, and/or mathematics, may also be included in the duties.

Qualification requirements

Research expertise is a qualification requirement for employment as an associate senior lecturer. Candidates for the position of associate senior lecturer at Malmö University are required to have a PhD or have attained equivalent expertise.

Preference will be given to individuals awarded a PhD or having attained equivalent expertise no more than seven years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position. Individuals who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research prior to this period can be considered under special circumstances, including absence due to illness, parental leave and similar circumstances.

It is a general qualification requirement that the candidate is appropriate for and has the skills in general required to fully complete the duties of this position (including the ability to work with others).

• PhD degree in solid mechanics, materials science, or related fields.

Assessment criteria – Research expertise

• Research in the field relevant for the position in question
• Active participation and being well-established in the scientific community
• Ability to initiate, plan, develop, independently implement and lead high-quality research with international impact and of significant scope
• Capable of international research collaboration
• Capable of attracting competitive external research funding in light of the subject area’s unique characteristics and traditions
• Ability to apply principles for open science
• Ability to communicate research within and outside of the scientific community

Assessment criteria – Additional research relevance

• Documented experience in machine learning applied to modeling or analyzing construction materials and their properties will also be evaluated.

Assessment criteria – Teaching expertise

• Ability to plan, develop, implement and lead high-quality teaching using different teaching methods on the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels
• Experience of educational development work and reflection on one’s own educational philosophy and application
• Ability to integrate research into bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral education both in terms of content and educational methods
• Capable of participating in and leading international educational collaborations
• Experience of doctoral programmes, such as solid experience of planning, admissions, work with syllabuses and course development, summative assessments, supervision up to defence of doctoral thesis, and experience as the main doctoral supervisor, in light of the subject area’s unique characteristics and traditions.

Assessment criteria – Collaborative expertise

• Ability to initiate, develop and expand collaboration and mutual exchange with relevant public organisations at the local, national and international levels to strengthen the quality, relevance and benefit of research and education
• Ability to communicate research and education to external target groups
• Ability to translate research and education into innovation and apply them practically (utilisation)

Assessment criteria – Academic citizenship, leadership and administrative expertise

• Work within academia beyond regular duties within education and research and also with external activities and assignments where academic citizenship is practiced
• Collegial initiatives at a department, faculty, or equivalent that promote a healthy work environment and academic setting, such as work on boards and committees, and in working groups, responsibility for seminars, various leadership, coordination and mentor assignments within and outside of one’s own higher education institution, assessment and review assignments, and work with journals
• Experience from academic leadership and leadership positions and the ability to lead and develop an organisation and staff and to take responsibility for the organisation’s quality and outcomes, and create enthusiasm
• Ability to plan, organise, implement and follow up work, assignments and operations and the ability to work in a structured way and contribute to development of organisational processes and procedures

Terms of employment

Starts: January 1st, 2027, or by agreement.

Form of employment: Fixed-term employment for five years, with the potential for promotion to an indefinite term position as a senior lecturer.

Scope of the position: 100 %

Salary: Individual salary setting

Swedish is the primary language at Malmö University, and it is a hope that non‑Swedish speaking staff will acquire enough Swedish language skills to allow them to participate in teaching and research and in common and daily work at the department but also as a way to enable them to take on academic leadership positions.

Promotion to senior lecturer in applied physics

During the employment period, the associate senior lecturer in applied physics has the right to apply for promotion to an indefinite term position as a senior lecturer. Assessment is conducted using the following adopted qualification requirements and assessment criteria. If these are met and the individual is judged appropriate as per the assessment criteria specified in Malmö University’s appointments procedure and defined specifications, the individual is to be promoted. An application for promotion to senior lecturer may only be submitted once and is to be submitted no later than six months before the position as associate senior lecturer ends.

Qualification requirements for promotion

Scientific expertise and teaching expertise are qualification requirements for employment as a senior lecturer. Within areas other than creative and artistic subjects, a completed PhD or equivalent research expertise or other professional expertise of significance with respect to the position’s subject content and duties is required. Within creative and artistic subjects, the applicant must have obtained a doctorate in the fine, applied or performing arts or possess other professional qualifications relevant to the subject matter and duties of the post.

A senior lecturer is to be established in their scientific field in light of the subject area’s unique characteristics and traditions. For indefinite term employment as senior lecturer, the individual is required to have higher education teaching training of at least 15 credits or an equivalent qualification requirement.

During their employment, the associate senior lecturer is to have demonstrated progress in advancing their research and teaching expertise when considered from on a comprehensive and long-term perspective.

It is a general qualification requirement that the candidate is appropriate for and has the skills in general required to fully complete the duties of this position (including the ability to work with others).

Assessment criteria for promotion

The overall assessment places the greatest emphasis on research and teaching expertise. The overall assessment includes collaborative expertise, academic citizenship, leadership and administrative expertise.

Assessment of qualifications will be done based on Malmö University’s appointments procedure and the adopted job description for the position. An overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications and expertise based on the qualification requirements and assessment criteria will be made prior to a decision to hire an applicant.