Professor of Business Administration with a specialisation in Organisation

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-02577/2025

We are looking for a professor of Business Administration with a specialisation in Organisation for a permanent position at the School of Business at Örebro University.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is: Business Administration with a specialisation in Organisation.

Background

Research within the field of business administration is conducted with an emphasis on leadership, management control, and organising in various types of organisations, with the aim of understanding how they function. Particular attention is given to the practices of leadership, control, and organising in relation to societal challenges and the need for change, development, and transformation. A common foundation for this research is the Scandinavian tradition in organisational studies, where organisations are viewed as culturally and institutionally embedded. There is a specific interest in building knowledge about the roles and functions of different actors within organisations. Through reflective and critical approaches, current empirical phenomena are explored, contributing to the development of theories and perspectives that deepen our understanding of contemporary society and diverse organisational forms. Another shared characteristic is the strong reliance on qualitative approaches and methods in research within the discipline.

To further strengthen our research, education, and collaboration with society at large in this area, Örebro University School of Business is now seeking a Professor of Business Administration with a specialisation in organisation. The successful candidate should possess deep knowledge of, and a strong interest in, how various types of organisations are led, managed, and organised. We welcome applicants with diverse methodological backgrounds.

Within the subject of business administration at Örebro University School of Business, several research environments are currently engaged in studies on the role of management control in organising activities, the organisation of inter-organisational structures and their dynamics, as well as how society and organisations can be organised to promote a sustainable future and economy.

Duties and responsibilities

As a professor, you will normally spend most of your working hours on research, but you are also expected to engage in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The duties associated with this position include actively working to secure external research funding for the subject area, assuming overarching responsibility for research activities within the field of organisation, contributing to the national and international development of the discipline, and supporting the advancement of education at all levels. This professorship is intended to complement and further develop the field of business administration at Örebro University School of Business.

As part of your employment, you are also expected to be available for leadership and administrative assignments within the university. Through physical presence at the workplace and active engagement, you are expected to take particular responsibility for fostering a collegial and inclusive culture within the organisation.

As Professor of Business Administration with a specialisation in organisation, you are expected to assume a leading role within the subject area and actively contribute to the development of a vibrant, attractive, and successful research and educational environment. We therefore welcome initiatives aimed at creating, driving, and developing an inclusive environment focused on organisation, where issues related to leadership, management control, and organising are central.

Qualifications

A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise is qualified for employment as a professor.

A general eligibility criterion for permanent teaching positions at Örebro University is that the applicant has completed courses on teaching and learning in higher education corresponding to ten weeks. Knowledge and skills equivalent to such courses may also be assessed to establish whether these provide eligibility. This assessment will be made by Örebro University. A professor who on appointment lacks training in teaching and learning in higher education or equivalent expertise undertakes to complete the requisite training course(s) within two years of their appointment. Appointment as a professor also requires the candidate to have completed training in supervising doctoral students.

Assessment criteria

When appointing a professor, equal care shall be taken in assessing teaching expertise as research expertise. The assessment is also to consider the applicant’s qualifications and experience from collaboration with the wider community, of which the university is a part, as well as national and international experience and mobility. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position and leadership skills will be assessed.

Research expertise

The applicant’s research expertise is assessed based on national and international standing and recognition in the scientific community. Research expertise is demonstrated through independent research contributions that significantly exceed the requirements for appointment as a docent, in terms of both quality and number of publications. Particular emphasis is placed on high-quality research related to organisational studies with a focus on leadership, governance, and/or organising.

Further evidence of recognition is provided by the ability to lead and develop research as well as through supervision of doctoral students. It is desirable that an applicant has been principal supervisor to at least two doctoral students who have successfully defended their theses. Research expertise also encompasses being/having been the principal researcher of projects with grants awarded in competition and appointments to positions of trust within academia.

Teaching expertise

When defining teaching expertise at Örebro University, three categories are used: teaching approach, how the teaching approach is put into practice, and professional development as a teacher. The applicant’s teaching qualifications are therefore to be documented accordingly and in compliance with Örebro University’s template for teaching portfolios, relating clearly to the values set out in Örebro University’s educational philosophy.

The applicant’s teaching expertise will be assessed in terms of the width and scope of various methods and teaching modes applied at the bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral levels, including experience of individual supervision at different levels, in addition to the supervision of doctoral students.

Moreover, the ability to develop, plan, execute and evaluate modes of teaching and examination, and to contribute to educational development, such as preparing teaching materials, textbooks and/or steering documents relating to teaching will be assessed, as will the ability to maintain a scientific approach in teaching.

It is also considered a merit if the applicant has independently or collaboratively initiated and carried out pedagogical development projects.

Collaboration and public engagement skills

The applicant’s collaborative skills will be assessed in terms of the breadth and scope of the cooperation and/or collaboration undertaken, internationally as well as nationally, within academia and with the wider community.

Leadership skills

The applicant’s leadership and administrative skills will be assessed in terms of the scope and breadth of their qualifications and experience from leadership roles and/or academic assignments within education and research. In addition, leadership ability and administrative competence are required, such as the capacity to initiate, organise, and lead research projects and research groups.

Suitability

Suitability refers to the applicant having the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand, to cooperate with other members of staff, and to drive the development of the operations in question. Applicants are also expected to have the ability to make research-ethical considerations and to follow good research practice.

Other assessment criteria

To be eligible for appointment as professor, the ability to communicate effectively in both Swedish and English, in writing and orally, is required. Candidates who do not meet the language requirement are expected to acquire sufficient oral and written proficiency in Swedish within two years from the start of the employment.

Information

This is a permanent full-time position. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information about the position, contact Subject chair, Professor Frans Prenkert, +46 19 30 24 44, email: frans.prenkert@oru.se, or Head of unit, Gun Abrahamsson, +46 19 30 31 44, email: gun.abrahamsson@oru.se.

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Örebro University aims to improve the gender balance among professors and especially encourages female candidates to apply.

Application

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• Covering letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University
• CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience
• Teaching portfolio (as instructed in Örebro University's guidelines)
• Research portfolio
• Publication list
• Relevant scientific publications (maximum of 10 and in full-text format)
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met

Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian and Danish can be reviewed.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site.

The application deadline is 23/01/2026. We look forward to receiving your application!

After the application deadline, no supplements can be made electronically. If you have scientific publications that cannot be attached electronically to the application, please cite them in your application and contact hr@oru.se.

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.