Vacant job

Are you interested in research and innovation and have experience in the field of societal development? We are now looking for a research secretary with knowledge and a strong interest in sustainable societal development, who can strengthen our opportunities to continue making important contributions to the field and advance the state of knowledge.

Welcome to Formas, a research council for sustainable development! We fund research and innovation that can contribute to fulfilling the UN's global sustainability goals and provide knowledge bases to facilitate Sweden's achievement of environmental targets. We focus heavily 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 societal development.

About the Department

The newly established Department for Cities and Rural Areas consists of two units that together are responsible for the department's combined tasks within the societal development field. These are the Unit for Housing and the Built Environment and the Unit for Urban Planning and Infrastructure. The units are responsible for Formas's portfolio in the societal development field, which includes several different programs and initiatives: the national research program for sustainable societal development, the strategic innovation program Smart Built Environment, the Impact innovation program ShiftSweden, as well as Nordic and European cooperation, for example, the European partnership program Driving Urban Transitions.

About the Role

As a research secretary at Formas, you will work within a range of different areas within your expertise, with the goal of supporting and strengthening knowledge development. You will plan and lead the work with calls for proposals and the preparation of research and innovation applications in collaboration with external experts. You will also work on developing various strategic agendas and programs, mapping and analyzing knowledge needs in dialogue with a wide range of actors, and participating in various forms of collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The duties include representing Formas in collaboration with other authorities, municipalities, industry organizations, and stakeholders in the field, as well as planning and implementing outward-facing activities. The work also involves producing background materials and analyses, leading reference groups, and responding to official inquiries.

Who are you?

You have a broad understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with the societal development field. You have experience working with research and innovation issues as well as within the societal development sector. Furthermore, you are accustomed to working from a broad systems perspective with a strong interest in navigating a field where there are both synergies and goal conflicts, in close dialogue and collaboration with a wide range of different stakeholders and actors. The position involves both analytical and more outward-facing parts, and it is an advantage if you are comfortable with varied work with several parallel tracks.

At Formas, we work in processes that require very good collaboration skills. The workload can be high at times, which requires good ability to plan and prioritize. As a person, you are driven, structured, curious, meticulous, and responsible. You have the ability to work both independently and in a group and have a good ability to adapt to different tasks and situations. Furthermore, you have high integrity, are quality-conscious, administratively skilled, and have a high service spirit.

Requirements for the position:

• Doctoral education relevant to the position (or equivalent qualifications acquired in other ways)
• Work experience with research and innovation issues
• Work experience from the public sector, business, or civil society with societal development issues
• Very good communicator in Swedish and English, both orally and in writing

Merits for the position:

• Experience of collaboration processes between the public sector, academia, business, and surrounding society
• An established network within the societal development field
• Documented experience of project or process management

We place great emphasis on personal suitability.

Working at Formas

Formas is a government agency with approximately 110 employees. Our areas of operation cover environment, primary industries, and societal development. This means that we fund research and innovation concerning climate, circular economy, food, forestry and agriculture, seas and waters, and urban planning. In addition, we develop strategies, conduct analyses, compile knowledge bases, and communicate about research and research results. We work actively to stay at the forefront when it comes to digital solutions and processes. Read more at: formas.se/om-formas/jobba-pa-formas/sa-ar-det-att-jobba-pa-formas.html (https://formas.se/om-formas/jobba-pa-formas/sa-ar-det-att-jobba-pa-formas.html)

About the Employment

You will be employed as a Research Secretary and belong to the Department for Cities and Rural Areas. The employment is a fixed-term full-time position for 12 months. Start date as soon as possible.

We offer an attractive workplace characterized by the strive to be free from discrimination and to give equal opportunities to everyone. We believe in equality, inclusion, diversity, and value different experiences. Therefore, we view applicants with different backgrounds positively.

Application

Welcome to submit your application by August 9. If you have questions about the recruitment process, you are warmly welcome to contact HR Specialist Sofia Anderberg, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and for questions about the content of the position, Department Head Anna Hult, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Decisions on appointment will be published on Formas's website. We decline all recruitment and advertising assistance.

Union representatives: Emily Dock Åkerman, representative for Saco, 08-775 40 32

[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Henrik Pompeius, representative for ST, 08-775 775 41 45

[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])