Summary
Lund University is inviting applications for a fully funded Doctoral student position in Geographic Information Science (GIS) at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MGeo). The doctoral researcher will be based at the GIS Centre and focus on cutting-edge research in Autonomous GIS and Spatial Intelligence, investigating the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs), GeoAI, and multi-agent systems to solve complex spatial problems.
Position Overview
| Designation | Doctoral Student (PhD Position) |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Geographic Information Science (GIScience), GeoAI, Spatial Intelligence, Autonomous GIS |
| Host Institution | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MGeo), Lund University |
| Location | Lund, Sweden |
| Employment Type | Full-time, 4-year fixed-term doctoral studentship |
| Application Deadline | November 25, 2026 |
Scholarship / Position Description
As a PhD student at Lund University, you are both admitted to third-cycle studies and employed under a funded doctoral studentship regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance. The position encompasses four years of full-time doctoral studies leading to a doctoral degree (PhD), which can be extended up to a maximum of 20% if departmental duties or teaching are undertaken.
The appointed candidate will conduct research in Autonomous GIS and Spatial Intelligence. Key areas of investigation include:
- Investigating geospatial reasoning using Large Language Models (LLMs) and multi-agent systems.
- Designing autonomous geospatial workflow planning, execution, and evaluation frameworks.
- Integrating geographic knowledge and analytical tools to ensure reliability, transparency, and spatial validity.
- Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and participating in international scientific conferences.
Eligibility and Qualifications
General & Specific Requirements
- A completed second-cycle (Master’s) degree comprising at least 240 ECTS credits (with at least 60 credits in the second cycle), or equivalent acquired qualifications.
- An independent degree project (Master’s thesis) in a relevant subject area comprising at least 30 ECTS credits.
- A Master’s degree in Geographical Information Science, Geoinformatics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related discipline.
Required Knowledge & Skills
- Sound knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning principles, including modern deep learning approaches and LLMs.
- Experience using AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Strong programming capability in Python.
- Good analytical, problem-solving, and independent research skills.
- Excellent communication and writing proficiency in English.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience developing applications with LLMs, agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), or multi-agent systems.
- Familiarity with geospatial libraries such as GeoPandas, Shapely, Rasterio, PyQGIS, or ArcPy.
- Knowledge of spatial reasoning, ontologies, knowledge graphs, or neuro-symbolic AI.
- Prior track record of scientific publication in AI, GIScience, or GeoAI.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically in English through the Lund University job application portal. Applicants should provide the following documents:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A personal motivation letter explaining your interest in the position and how your research background aligns with the PhD topic.
- Copies of university diplomas, degrees, and official transcripts verifying eligibility.
- Any relevant additional materials, including recommendation letters, publications, or contact information for references.
Last Date for Apply
The closing date for applications is November 25, 2026.
Apply Online via Lund University Recruitment Portal
