PhD Positions
For prospective students interested in pursuing postgraduate research in physics, Stockholm University offers doctoral studies in physics. Additionally, both Stockholm University and Nordita provide limited funding opportunities for students, as outlined below.
Stockholm University
- Available PhD positions in physics are listed by individual groups on the Fysikum website. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the research group directly.
- Median salary over 4 years: 30 000 SEK/month.
Nordita
- Fellowships offered under the Visiting PhD Fellow Program to fund a prospective collaboration over 1-2 months. Applications are evaluated twice a year, with deadlines on the 10th of May and the 10th of November.
- Nordita offers a PhD Program in collaboration with local universities. Sadly, however, there are no positions currently on offer. Prospective students are encouraged to check for open positions next year.
Postdoctoral Positions & Funding
Here, we outline positions and funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers in Sweden, and employment opportunities at Stockholm University and Nordita. We strongly encourage candidates to contact individual groups to confirm the availability of positions, which are very limited.
Nordita
There are two types of postdoctoral positions offered under the Nordita postdoctoral program:
- The 'Nordita fellows position', which offers fellowships for researchers to pursue their own independent research.
- The 'Nordita postdoc position', which is a contracted position to work on a particular project, typically funded by a research grant.
- Stockholm University postdoc salary is 39 000 SEK/month.
Unfortunately, there are currently no postdoctoral positions on offer, although positions are expected to reopen for 2026.
Wenner-Gren Foundation
The Wenner-Gren Foundation offers a number of scholarships / stipendier for prospective postdoctoral researchers:
'Outgoing' postdoctoral positions
For 'outgoing' postdoctoral positions (for Swedish citizens / permit holders), the Wenner-Gren Foundation offers support for 3 years abroad, plus the possibility to apply for an additional 2 years 'return' phase in Sweden.
- Can apply within 3 years upon completing a doctoral degree.
- Application deadline is the 31st of January.
- Salary amount depends on the destination country; the fellowship holder receives a 'startup grant' of 400 000 SEK.
'Incoming' postdoctoral researchers
For 'incoming' postdoctoral researchers, fellowships are offered for foreign researchers to join a local Swedish group.
- Can apply within 5 years upon completing a doctoral degree.
- Application deadline is the 1st of October (the candidate cannot be in Sweden longer than 9 months before this deadline).
- Funding is provided for 3-24 months for tax-free fellowship of 28 000 SEK/month.
Visiting researchers
For visiting researchers, the Wenner-Gren Foundation hosts foreign senior researchers (>5 years from completing a doctoral degree) for a period of 1-12 months.
- There are two application deadlines per year: one on the 10th of March and the other on the 1st of October.
- No fixed amount provided for funding amount, but the scholarship is intended to cover costs of relocation to Sweden.
Swedish Research Council / Vetenskapsrådet
The Swedish Research Council / Vetenskapsrådet offers two funding options:
- Starting grants for junior researchers who wish to establish themselves in Sweden.
- International postdoc grants for newly qualified researchers who have obtained a doctoral degree from a Swedish university and who wish to work abroad.
Starting grants
- Upcoming call: 6 March - 9 April 2024.
- Applicant: Individual researcher who has completed a doctoral degree more than 2 years ago and up to 7 years ago.
- Grant period: 4 years starting January 2025.
- Grant amount: 1 000 000 SEK per year*.
*Figures based on last call from 2023.
International postdoc grants
- Upcoming call: 17 January - 20 February 2024.
- Applicant: Individual researcher who completed a doctoral degree from a Swedish university no more than 2 years ago, or who will have completed a doctoral degree before the start of the grant period, that is no later than 30 June 2024.
- Grant period: 18–36 months starting July 2024.
- Grant amount: 1 150 000 SEK per year, plus a further 50 000 SEK per year in total may be applied for, for one or more accompanying family members†.
†Figures based on last call from spring 2023.
