Vacant job

Welcome to Formas, a research council for sustainable development! We fund research and innovation that can contribute to achieving the UN's global sustainability goals and provide knowledge bases to facilitate Sweden's achievement of environmental targets. We place great emphasis on collaboration with researchers and various societal actors, both in Sweden and internationally.

At Formas, you will have the opportunity to work in a knowledge-intensive organization driven by the mission to contribute to sustainable development.

The newly established unit is part of the Climate and Natural Environment Department. The department consists of two units that together are responsible for the department's combined mission. The unit managers lead the work at the department together with the department head and are part of the department's management group. As a unit manager, you will also have strong collaborations and joint assignments with unit managers in other departments. There are approximately 10 employees located at the unit.

About the role

As the Unit Manager for Climate Transition, you are responsible for the development of Formas' activities in the climate area as well as for a chemically safe environment.

As a unit manager, you are responsible for:

• Personnel matters, including working environment issues and competence development
• Creating security in the team and supporting the development of employees and operations
• Contributing to good collaboration within the department's management group and with other departments
• Budget, operational planning, and monitoring of the unit's activities
• Ensuring progress and prioritizing in the unit's operational activities
• Quality assurance of materials prior to decision-making

The unit is responsible for the national research program on climate, Formas' mission regarding a chemically safe future, and Formas' international collaborations in these areas. Through systematic research compilations, the unit contributes to scientific decision-making support for authorities, municipalities, and other actors who develop and handle instruments, measures, and guidelines within the environmental field. Within its area of responsibility and broadly across the agency, the unit actively works on developing our funding processes, strategic communication regarding Formas' efforts, and the utilization and effects of the research and innovation funded by the agency.

Requirements for the position

• Academic degree in a subject area relevant to the employer
• At least 5 years of professional experience
• A strong interest in research and societal development
• Experience navigating and working in research and innovation environments
• Good understanding of Formas' mission, themes, and societal role
• Established networks and relationships with relevant actors
• Knowledge of research and innovation funding
• Multi-year experience from a knowledge organization
• Current and broad knowledge of the unit's subject areas (challenges, knowledge needs, policy context)

In addition to the operational requirements, you have documented experience in translating strategic priorities into operational change work and in developing teams consisting of individuals with high expertise. Your leadership is expressed through your ability to clearly communicate priorities and delegate assignments and mandates from a holistic perspective. You value building good relationships by showing and creating trust, confidence, and security in both your own collaborations and the teams you lead. You have very good communication skills and express yourself freely and simply in both speech and writing.

Merits for the position

• Doctoral education
• Experience from promoting and supporting research and innovation, or experience from analytical work
• Experience from a relevant thematic area
• Professional experience from the public sector
• Management experience and experience representing the employer

Working at Formas

Formas is a government agency with approximately 110 employees. Read more here: What it's like to work at Formas

About the employment

We offer an attractive workplace characterized by the strive to be free from discrimination and to provide equal opportunities for all. We believe in equality, inclusion, diversity, and value different experiences. Therefore, we view applicants from different backgrounds positively. The position is a permanent employment with an initial probationary period. The decision regarding the appointment will be published on Formas' website.

Union representatives: Emily Dock Åkerman, Representative for Saco, 08-775 40 32, [email protected], Henrik Pompeius, Representative for ST, 08-775 775 41 45, [email protected]

Next steps

The appointment is made in collaboration with Signpost. Here, leaders with different backgrounds, ages, genders, and experiences are welcome, contributing new ideas, insights, and perspectives. Do you find the assignment interesting and are you ready for the next step in your career? You are warmly welcome to apply! The application deadline is June 9, 2026. Please note that all final candidates will go through the same stages in the recruitment process. This includes competency-based interviews, occupational psychological tests, and background checks. This ensures that we can fairly and objectively compare each manager's competence in relation to the requirement profile.

If you want to know more before applying, you are welcome to contact recruitment consultant Anna Rydbacken at 0709–815 873, [email protected] or Anna-Sofia Renman at 0708-178 399, [email protected].