Lawyer with a focus on data protection

The Total Defence Research Institute (FOI) is a government authority conducting world-leading research in defence and security to support Sweden's military and civil defence. The research spans several areas, such as underwater, cyber defence, space, electronic warfare, sensor systems, civil defence, CBRNe (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive substances), military platforms including weapons and protection, as well as security policy analyses. FOI's research plays a key role in building Sweden's defence capability.

Would you like to join a knowledgeable team at a growing authority? Do you want to work in a creative environment at one of Europe's leading research institutes in defence and security? Then FOI could be your new workplace! We offer a balanced work life, a developing work environment, and socially important work!

About the position

As a lawyer focusing on data protection, you will primarily work with GDPR, but also with data protection regulations within the defence sector. You will provide advice on data protection issues and support researchers in their work with personal data and ethical review. If necessary, you will assist the organization in conducting impact assessments, establishing data processing agreements, and managing the rights of data subjects.

You will also develop routines within data protection and research ethics, create training, and teach employees about data protection issues. The role also includes working with common administrative tasks, such as issues related to transparency and confidentiality, responding to consultations, producing governing documents, writing decision support materials, and providing legal advice.

The work involves many internal contacts with researchers and other employees, as well as external contacts with other authorities.

About the unit

FOI has offices in four locations: Stockholm, Umeå, Grindsjön, and Linköping. You will be part of the Legal Unit, which belongs to the Research Support Department. The Legal Unit currently consists of the chief lawyer and nine lawyers. The Legal Unit also includes the Information Management section. The workplace for the unit is in Kista. Travel to our other operational locations may occur. Please read more about what we do: Research Support (https://www.foi.se/jobba-hos-oss.html).

Do you have the competence profile we need?

Requirements

• Swedish law degree
• Experience of qualified legal work in a government authority
• Very good knowledge of GDPR
• Practical experience of legal work in the data protection area
• Very good ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in Swedish, as well as good knowledge of English.

You are easy to collaborate with, have high integrity, and are pedagogical, which is important as you will both work alongside other lawyers and provide advice to other professional categories. You can work independently and take responsibility for carefully analyzing, structuring, and solving complex legal issues. You are also flexible and enjoy varied tasks.

We place great importance on your personal qualities.

Meritorious

• Experience of administrative legal work including transparency and confidentiality
• Experience of research ethical issues
• Experience of training in administrative law and GDPR
• Knowledge of information security.

What do we offer you?

The Total Defence Research Institute (FOI) is a government authority conducting world-leading research in defence and security to support Sweden's military and civil defence. We offer a unique workplace where you have the opportunity to work on what is important for total defence and society as a whole. The research is applied both within defence authorities and among civil actors and plays a crucial role in building a relevant and effective defence capability.

We consciously work for a good work environment with a good balance between work and private life. In addition, we offer a range of benefits. Read more about what it is like to work with us: Work with us (https://www.foi.se/jobba-hos-oss.html).

The position is a permanent employment that may start with a six-month probationary period.

Would you like to be part of seeking answers for a safer world?

Welcome with your application in the form of CV and cover letter via the application button no later than January 30, 2026.

For more information about the position, please contact Eva Liljefors. Union representatives are David Sundell (Saco-S) and Jonas Svefors (OFR/S – ST) All can be reached at 08-555 030 00.

As the position is classified, Swedish citizenship is required. Security clearance with a background check will be conducted before employment according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585). For the security clearance, certified copies of the relevant education and service certificates will be requested.

The position is a permanent employment that may start with a six-month probationary period.

FOI is an authority, and submitted application documents become public documents that can be disclosed to outsiders upon request according to the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act.

Offers from recruitment companies are not welcome.