The WASP International Postdoctoral Scholarship gives early-career researchers the opportunity to gain experience in a leading international research environment and take the next step towards an academic career. Jonas Conneryd, WASP PhD graduate from Department of Computer Science at Lund University, will use the two-year scholarship to join a research group at the University of Oxford in December 2026.
After completing their PhDs, WASP graduates can choose from a wide range of career paths, from positions at leading technology companies and in the public sector to academic research and, ultimately, a professorship. The WASP graduate school gives doctoral students a strong foundation for exploring these different paths.
Among WASP PhD graduates, 65 percent pursue careers in industry, 33 percent continue in academia, and 2 percent choose other paths. For those who want to deepen their research experience and keep the door to academia open, a postdoctoral position can be an important next step. What makes that path worth taking, and why pursue it abroad?
Jonas Conneryd is one of the WASP PhD graduates who chose to continue in academia by applying for the two-year WASP International Postdoctoral Scholarship. We spoke to him between the completion of his PhD in parallel systems and the start of his postdoctoral position at the University of Oxford in December 2026.
What motivated you to apply for a WASP Postdoctoral Scholarship?
My main motivation was simply to learn more and to get to see a new research environment. I respect and admire the research that has come out of the group I am visiting and wanted to learn new techniques and practices from there to use in my own future research. Moreover, the terms of the WASP Postdoctoral Scholarship are very generous—more so than most other postdoctoral positions. It is among the most valuable opportunities offered to WASP students.
Why do you think a postdoctoral position is a valuable next step after a PhD?
For one, I strongly believe that it is important to get to see multiple research environments early in one’s research career. I did multiple research visits during my PhD, and my impression so far is that every group is different. It is also a quite exciting period in a young researcher’s career: one has enough knowledge to pursue independent research directions, and simultaneously enough freedom to dedicate oneself to these pursuits wholeheartedly!
More pragmatically, at least in my field, a PhD is typically not enough time to gain the necessary research experience and credentials to be considered for faculty positions. Hence, the vast majority of researchers interested in an academic career choose to pursue one or more postdocs after the conclusion of their PhD studies. For the reasons above, I think this is a good thing that ultimately leads to researchers having a wider perspective and more experience before taking on demanding tasks like supervising students.
What made you decide to spend time at a university abroad?
I wanted to experience the environment in a group whose research I admire, both in order to learn practical aspects of how to create a successful research environment and, most importantly, to work on research topics I am excited by and interested in. Since these criteria were satisfied by the group in Oxford, it was a natural choice.
How did you get in touch with the research group at Oxford? What advice would you give WASP PhD students who want to identify and approach potential host researchers abroad?
I had read some of their papers and worked on related topics but not talked to them personally before reaching out via e-mail saying I was interested in working with them. It was more or less a “cold e-mail” on my part. Such things certainly do not come naturally to me, so my advice to other students would be to try to overcome their fears and reach out! The worst thing that can happen is that the group cannot currently accommodate a postdoc, which leads to the same outcome as if one does not reach out at all. But if it is a good fit research-wise, then I would guess that most researchers would be excited to have a prospective postdoc contact them.
Practically, I would advise keeping the e-mail or other points of contact personal, clear, and concise. It should include your credentials, a summary of your research, and why you want to work with the researcher you are messaging, but longer research-topic descriptions, CV:s, and the like can be attached to the e-mail in separate documents. I often have trouble following this advice myself, but I think it is good to keep in mind.
About the WASP International Scholarship
The WASP International Postdoctoral Scholarship offers positions at top universities globally. This scholarship adheres to the same criteria and conditions as other postdoc programs awarded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Before applying, the candidates must first obtain a letter of invitation from a world-leading hosting researcher in a WASP-related field. The hosting department shall also confirm that the position will be funded through a stipend. WASP PhD students are eligible to apply.
Applications open on 16 October. The application deadline is 16 November.
Read more and apply
Published: October 16th, 2026
[addtoany]