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Have you studied for some years at the University and found a subject that you are passionate about and want to specialise in? If so, PhD studies could be something for you.

Student looking at material through a loup. Photo: Kennet Ruona.

About PhD studies

PhD studies comprise 240 third-cycle credits, which correspond to four years of full-time studies. The programme includes courses and seminars, as well as a research project that will result in a scholarly thesis – the doctoral thesis. You defend the thesis at a public seminar.

When you have completed PhD studies, you can apply for your doctoral degree (PhD), which is the highest academic degree you can be awarded. You can also apply for a licentiate degree after earning 120 credits.

After PhD studies, you can, for example, work as a researcher at a university or company.

Subjects

Subjects within the Faculty of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Astronomy and Astrophysic
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Chemical Physics
  • Environmental Science
  • Geobiosphere Science, with specialization in Geographical Information Science
  • Geobiosphere Science, with specialization in Lithosphere and Palaeobiosphere Sciences
  • Geobiosphere Science, with specialization in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
  • Geobiosphere Science, with specialization in Quaternary Sciences
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Mathematical Statistics
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Radiation Physics
  • Molecular Biophysics
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Theoretical Chemistry
  • Theoretical Physics
  • Theoretical Physics, with specialization in Computational Biology

There is a general syllabus for each subject that lays down the framework of the third-cycle study programme.

General syllabi on the faculty of science internal website

Graduate schools

Graduate schools within the Faculty of Science:

Qualifications and admission

Admission to PhD studies requires both general and specific qualifications. The general requirements are that you have a Master’s degree or have completed courses worth at least 240 credits (of which at least 60 second-cycle credits), or have in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge. In addition to general requirements, there are specific requirements for each subject. The specific requirements can be found in the general syllabus for each subject.

General syllabi on the faculty of science internal website

PhD studies can be conducted in various forms, but the most common is that you have a doctoral studentship and are part of a research team. There is no particular application period for PhD studies, as vacant doctoral student positions are advertised continuously.

Vacant positions at Lund University – lunduniversity.lu.se

Contact


If you have any questions about PhD studies, you are welcome to contact one of our directors of studies.

Biology

Director of studies: Emma Kritzberg
Contact information for Emma Kritzberg – lunduniversity.lu.se

Chemistry

Director of studies: Viveka Alfredsson
Contact information for Viveka Alfredsson – lunduniversity.lu.se

Environmental Science

Director of studies: Katarina Hedlund
Contact information for Katarina Hedlund  – lunduniversity.lu.se

Geology

Director of studies: Helena Filipsson
Contact information for Helena Filipsson – lunduniversity.lu.se

Mathematical disciplines

Director of studies: Alexandru Aleman
Contact information for Alexandru Aleman  – lunduniversity.lu.se

Medical Radiation Physics

Director of studies: Ronnie Wirestam
Contact information for Ronnie Wirestam – lunduniversity.lu.se

Physical geography and ecosystem science

Director of studies: Cecilia Akselsson
Contact information for Cecilia Akselsson – lunduniversity.lu.se

Physics

Director of studies: Göran Frank
Contact information for Göran Frank – lunduniversity.lu.se