Operations Manager for the Railway Technical Center (JVTC)

Luleå University of Technology is experiencing strong growth with world-leading expertise in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global societal benefits. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national, and regional companies, public actors, and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of 2 billion SEK per year. We currently have 1,500 employees and 17,900 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in Norrbotten and Västerbotten in large projects aimed at a more sustainable society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these highly relevant research projects and the societal transformation that follows. We have a wide range of educational programs to match the skills in demand. We hope you want to help us build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The Railway Technical Center (JVTC) is a center at Luleå University of Technology focusing on education, research, and innovation in operational safety and maintenance for the railway transport system. The center is a collaboration hub where companies, authorities, universities, and the surrounding community jointly drive development issues within methods, models, and tools to ensure high operational safety and effective maintenance of both existing and new systems and facilities. The center has been at Luleå University of Technology since 1998 and has been an important player in the development of the railway in the region. JVTC is now seeking an operations manager who can lead and develop JVTC as a center and its role in the regional and national innovation system.

Job Description

With the support of the board, you will drive and lead the continued development of the center's organization and operations as the operations manager. You will initiate and build research and development projects in collaboration with community organizations, industry, and universities. You will maintain close dialogue with funders and further develop the center's collaborations regionally, nationally, and internationally. As an operations manager, you are also expected to actively participate in project work.

Your primary responsibility as an operations manager is to take overall responsibility for JVTC's operations and its further development. You will work operationally in JVTC's project activities, both to ensure quality and as a qualified executor in certain projects, for example, in the role of project manager and/or activity manager.

Qualifications

To fit the role of operations manager, you are expected to have good leadership qualities, a desire to develop those around you, be a good communicator, and be able to communicate and collaborate very well with people in industry, universities, funders, and authorities. You should be a curious, driven, and motivating person who, together with your colleagues, leads and follows the operations while continuously analyzing opportunities and risks.

You are expected to have knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Experience in organizational development
• Experience in working in and leading research and development projects (regional, national, or international)
• Experience in areas related to the center
• Understanding of research and development within academia
• Good knowledge of the railway industry
• Good ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in Swedish and English

Meritorious for the position are:

• PhD in operational and maintenance engineering or equivalent scientific competence
• Several years of relevant and current experience in organizational development within academia or equivalent operations
• Several years of relevant and current experience in operational management within academia or equivalent operations
• Leadership ability and the capacity to lead and develop the operations
• Self-awareness and the ability to reflect on your own leadership experiences
• Demonstrated experience of budget responsibility or other financial responsibility
• Experience in research and development
• Good insight into the innovation chain within railways
• Project management of collaborative projects in areas related to the center
• Ability to promote good collaboration between different types of organizations
• Ability to obtain external funding for research and development in collaboration with others
• Experience in disseminating scientific material through organizing conferences or similar

Information

The position is a permanent full-time position based in Luleå. Start date in February 2025 or by agreement.

For further information, please contact the head of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Charlotta Johansson, 0920-49 1867, [email protected]

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 [email protected]
OFR-S Lars Frisk, 0920-49 1792 [email protected]

Application

We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, attaching a personal letter and CV/resume along with copies of verified degree certificates. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates should be written in Swedish or English.

Application deadline: January 31, 2025
Reference number: 73–2025