Vacant job

Luleå University of Technology is experiencing strong growth with world-leading expertise in several research areas. 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 an annual turnover of over 2.3 billion SEK. We have more than 1,800 employees and nearly 21,600 students.

The research subject of applied geochemistry belongs to the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, where research and education in the mining, construction, and environmental fields contribute to the development of a long-term sustainable society. We are now seeking a Professor and Subject Representative in Applied Geochemistry to lead and develop the subject during the societal transition to greener technology.

Since the early 1990s, the subject has successfully combined applied research with basic research. The basic research aims to understand concentration levels and mobility of elements under natural conditions. The applied research covers pollution effects from various types of human activities and measures to reduce pollution emissions and limit their harmful effects. Environmental issues in the mining industry have been and will remain one of the subject's most important research areas, but the subject has great potential to broaden towards applications within infrastructure and societal construction. Analytical chemistry, isotope geochemistry, and environmental forensics are important parts of the subject's research areas.

Subject Description
Applied geochemistry encompasses studies of the occurrence and mobility of elements in rock, soil, and water, with a focus on methods to prevent or mitigate environmental effects from metal extraction and societal construction.

Responsibilities
The position of Professor and Subject Representative is a leadership role with overall responsibility for leading and developing the subject regarding research, doctoral education, as well as undergraduate and advanced education. A professor is also expected to follow the subject's international development, supervise doctoral students, and assist in teaching. Furthermore, the role involves further developing collaboration within the department and with other subjects at the university, as well as strengthening the connection to relevant national and international research environments and to industry.

The Subject Representative has a special responsibility to attract external funding and ensure financing for both their own research and to promote the academic environment of the subject as a whole. An important task for the Subject Representative is to build a strong research subject where doctoral students, staff, and students grow and develop.

Qualifications
Eligible for appointment as a professor is someone who has demonstrated both scientific and pedagogical proficiency. Equal care should be given to the assessment of pedagogical and scientific proficiency.

To meet the requirements for appointment as a professor, the applicant must:

• be outstanding within their field and demonstrate scientific activity of high international standard, showing a clear qualitative progression
• have a total scientific production that in quantity corresponds to at least three doctoral dissertations, including the doctoral dissertation itself
• demonstrate academic leadership, through for example:
  • experience in research-related trust positions such as expert, opponent, and/or member of an examination board
  • experience in leading research projects
  • experience in competitively applying for and receiving external funding for research projects as principal investigator
  • experience in internal assignments within the university
  • experience in pedagogical leadership
• have experience in supervision at the doctoral education level and, unless there are special reasons, have been the main supervisor for at least one doctoral student continuously from admission to the doctoral degree
• demonstrate pedagogical proficiency through reflective experience, teaching skills, and teaching development
• demonstrate the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society, through for example:
  • making new knowledge accessible to the surrounding society
  • incorporating societal needs into research and/or educational contexts

In addition to the qualification requirements for a professor, special emphasis will be placed on leadership ability when recruiting a Professor and Subject Representative, through for example:

• experience in personnel responsibility and personnel development
• self-awareness and the ability to reflect on own leadership experiences
• demonstrating experience in budget responsibility or other economic responsibility

Assessment Criteria
The following assessment criteria apply to the position:

• Scientific proficiency
• Pedagogical proficiency
• Ability to lead and develop operations
• Other assessment criteria

Other assessment criteria, weighted equally:

• good contacts with international networks focusing on mining-related environmental research or other applied geochemical research
• ability to obtain external research and development funds
• good knowledge of English in speech and writing
• contacts with industry and our Swedish students require good knowledge of Swedish, and applicants who do not master the Swedish language are expected to acquire these skills within 1–2 years after employment
• ability to collaborate internally within the university and with the surrounding society

Information
The position is permanent and located in Luleå. Start date by agreement.

For further information, please contact: Prefect, Charlotta Johansson, [email protected], phone +46 (0)920-49 18 67

Union representatives: SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037, [email protected] or OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721, [email protected]

Application
To apply, go to: Vacancies | Luleå University of Technology (#)

Application deadline: September 1, 2026
Reference number: 2274-2026