Professor of Chemistry

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-06635/2025

We are looking for a professor of Chemistry for a permanent position at the School of Science and Technology.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is chemistry.

Background

Örebro University is seeking a professor in chemistry to strengthen and expand our research and education in chemistry.

Örebro University is a modern university with around 1,600 employees and 17,000 students, offering a broad range of subjects and degree programmes. The position is based at the Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM) at the School of Science and Technology. MTM is an important part of Örebro university's profile area Pollutants and Society combining expertise from multiple subject areas for a more comprehensive approach in the transition towards a toxic-free environment.

MTM’s mission is to advance knowledge of how organic and inorganic pollutants behave in the environment, supporting the sustainable use of chemicals. Research focuses on persistent organic pollutants, metals, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS, endocrine disruptors, and plastics, using state-of-the-art analytical and molecular techniques. Facilities include advanced chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms, as well as resources for environmental forensics.

Our work spans from molecular mechanisms to large-scale societal impacts, addressing both environmental and human health. The centre is dedicated to support evidence based practical solutions, such as remediation and treatment strategies, methods for destroying hazardous substances, and approaches for safe chemical circulation, to achieve a more sustainable and circular society.

Duties and responsibilities

As professor, you will normally spend most of your working hours on research. Your duties and responsibilities include working actively to bring in external research grants to the subject, take overall responsibility for its research activities, and monitor its development internationally. As professor, you are expected to engage in education at all three levels and to communicate and collaborate around your own and the subject’s research activities. You are moreover expected to make yourself available for management and administrative assignments at the university.

It is considered meritorious for the professor in chemistry to strengthen the team dedicated to creating solutions for a safer and more sustainable society. At the core of this position is the challenge of addressing chemicals of concern, support the development strategies for remediation and treatment, enabling the safe restoration of contaminated environments, and support the development of innovating methods for the destruction of hazardous substances. Equally important is the pursuit of safe and sustainable circulation of chemicals, supporting the transition to a circular society where risks to people and ecosystems are minimized.

The successful candidate will strengthen the chemistry subject, contributing to the area of environmental chemistry and applied processes, and be an innovative leader with a collaborative spirit, ready to inspire colleagues, foster synergies, and contribute to a vibrant and growing research environment.

Qualifications and assessment criteria

A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise is qualified for employment as a professor, and when assessed, as much attention is to be given to the applicant’s teaching expertise as to their 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 their leadership skills will be assessed.

Research expertise

The applicant’s research expertise will be assessed based on their national and international standing and recognition in the research community. Research expertise is demonstrated through independent research contributions, which to a substantial degree exceed those that are required for appointment as a docent, in terms of both quality and the number of publications. Recognition is also demonstrated by means of the applicant’s ability to lead and develop research, as well as through the supervision of doctoral students. It is desirable for applicants to have been the principal supervisor of at least two doctoral students, seeing them through to their thesis defence. Research expertise also encompasses being the principal researcher of projects with research grants that have been secured in competition with others and holding positions of trust in academia.

In addition, particular importance will be placed on:

• Documented international experience and established international research networks.
• Experience in collaboration and interaction with industry, authorities, and wider society.
• A proven capacity to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives and connect scientific findings to real-world challenges.
• Engagement in knowledge transfer, outreach, and communication with stakeholders beyond academia.
• The ability to translate research into environmental impact.

Teaching expertise

The completion of courses equivalent to 10 weeks of study in teaching and learning in higher education is a general qualification requirement for permanent employment as a professor at Örebro University. Örebro University may also assess whether other experience of teaching in higher education meets this assessment criterion. 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 that the applicant has completed training in supervising doctoral students.

At Örebro University, teaching expertise is assessed in the categories teaching approach, teaching approach in practice, and professional development as a teacher. Applicants’ teaching qualifications shall be documented in accordance with Örebro University’s template for teaching portfolios and clearly relate to the values set out in Örebro University’s educational philosophy.

The assessment of applicant’s teaching expertise is based on the breadth and scope of various forms of working and teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral levels, including experience of individual supervision at various levels, in addition to doctoral supervision. In addition, applicants’ ability to develop, plan, implement and evaluate teaching and examination formats is assessed, as is their ability to contribute to the pedagogical development of teaching, such as preparing teaching material, learning aids and/or governance documents for teaching. The assessment of teaching expertise is further based on applicants’ experience of management and leadership responsibilities at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels that have actively promoted student learning. Applicants’ ability to link teaching to research and contribute to a scientific approach in their teaching will also be assessed. Special focus will be on the applicant’s contribution to the education in analytical science and environmental forensics.

Collaboration and public engagement skills

The ability to interact with the surrounding society is an important part of a professor’s role and it requires a good understanding of various societal processes and the impact of university activities on these. Assessment of collaboration and public engagement skills looks at three aspects: the ability to communicate, the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society, and the ability to facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. Applicants are expected to present national and international external relations and collaborations. The ability to communicate research and science is to be considered along with the ability to conduct research in collaboration with the wider community and the ability to utilise research so that it benefits society.

Leadership skills

In assessing leadership and administrative skills, the applicant’s qualifications and experience from leadership roles within education and research are to be considered, such as a proven ability to lead activities and staff, and an ability to organise and lead research projects, research teams and/or study programmes. Experience of serving in academic positions of trust, such as faculty assignments or appointments with government research funding bodies will also be considered.

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

Very good communication skills (orally and in writing) in English are mandatory. Good communication skills in Swedish are advantageous. The person appointed to the position who does not have the necessary language skills in Swedish is expected to learn Swedish within two years from the start of employment.

In addition, the successful candidate is expected to indicate how their research will complement and strengthen the activities within the MTM Research Centre, and to specify in their application how this alignment will contribute to the development of chemistry at Örebro University.

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 Head of school, Henrik Olsson, +46 19 30 12 09, email: henrik.olsson@oru.se or Head of subject Prof. Tuulia Hyötyläinen, +46 19 30 34 87, email: tuulia.hyotylainen@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.

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: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is January 12, 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 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.