Senior lecturer/lecturer in inorganic chemistry/hydrogeochemistry

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-02341/2026

We are looking for a senior lecturer or lecturer in hydrogeochemistry for a fixed-term position at the School of Science and Technology.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is chemistry with a specialisation in inorganic chemistry/hydrogeochemistry.

Background

Örebro University is seeking a senior lecturer/lecturer in chemistry to strengthen our research and education in inorganic chemistry/hydrogeochemistry.

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. 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 applied science, such as soil and water remediation and treatment strategies, methods for destroying hazardous substances, and approaches for safe chemical circulation, to achieve a more sustainable and circular society.

We are seeking a senior lecturer/lecturer in inorganic chemistry, with applications in analytical hydrogeochemistry, to join the biogeosphere dynamics research and teaching group. In biogeosphere dynamics we are working with fundamental and applied research concerning the movement of elements, particularly metals, in the environment and the technosphere. The basic studies develop an improved understanding of the biogeochemical mechanisms that control such processes in relation to their chemical state (speciation). For this purpose, we have access to modern and well-equipped laboratories for advanced chemical analysis of samples from controlled experiments and field research. The applied research uses this kind of information for optimization of techniques for remediation of metal polluted sites such as historic mine waste and industrial sites. In addition, the information is also used to develop technologies for the recovery of valuable elements from several waste matrices. The basic studies are conducted in the programme “Analytical biogeochemistry” and the applied part in “Applied environmental science and technology”.

The position focuses on mainly teaching in our BSc programme in chemistry with specialisation in forensic analytical science in courses in general chemistry, inorganic chemistry and analytical chemistry.

This position has been advertised as senior lecturer/lecturer. This means that if there is no applicant who meets the eligibility requirements for appointment as a senior lecturer, we are open to employing a qualified candidate who meets the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for a lecturer.

Duties and responsibilities

As a senior lecturer you are spending your working hours on teaching at all levels, research, and any associated public engagement activities. In addition to education, research and collaboration, duties and responsibilities include development work, administration and continuing professional development. Moreover, teaching encompasses supervision, examination, course development, planning and evaluation.

A lecturer is expected to spend their working hours mainly on teaching, primarily at the bachelor’s level, and on any associated public engagement activities. A lecturer should also contribute to the university’s development.

This position in mainly focusing on teaching in first cycle courses in chemistry in general chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry and physical chemistry within the bachelor programme in Analytical science in chemistry with specialisation in forensics.

Qualifications

Those qualified for appointment as a senior lecturer are applicants who have demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a doctoral degree in a subject matter relevant for the position or has the corresponding research competence or some other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the position and the duties that it will involve.

Those qualified for appointment as lecturer are applicants who have demonstrated teaching expertise and have been awarded a relevant academic qualification, at least at the one-year master’s level (or equivalent).

Assessment criteria

When appointing teaching staff, equal care shall be taken in assessing teaching expertise as research expertise. The assessment is 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. Teachers are to have the ability to communicate and disseminate information, collaborate and engage with the wider community, and facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position will be assessed.

Research expertise (applies to employment as senior lecturer)

Research expertise is assessed based on scientific qualifications, demonstrated through independent research contributions, continued scientific publishing following the award of the doctoral degree, and the applicant’s establishment in the research community. Further evidence of recognition is the ability to plan, manage, lead and develop their own research. Holding the qualifications required for appointment as docent is an advantage.

Research expertise also encompasses being/having been the principal researcher/co-applicant 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.

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through 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. Expertise is further demonstrated through the ability to develop, plan, implement and evaluate teaching and examination formats, as well as through the ability to contribute to the pedagogical development of teaching, such as preparing teaching material, learning aids and/or governance documents for teaching. Teaching expertise is also demonstrated through pedagogical leadership responsibilities, such as course coordination, at the bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral levels. The applicant’s ability to link teaching to research and contribute to a scientific approach in their teaching will also be assessed.

The applicant should have experience from higher education teaching in general chemistry, inorganic chemistry and analytical chemistry. Practical experience from teaching using titrimetric techniques and inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry is a merit. Experience from teaching in forensic chemistry is also advantageous.

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 contribute to the development of the operations in question.  

Information

This is a fixed-term full-time position (100%) for six months with the possibility of extension. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information about the position, contact Head of Natural Science Unit Ingrid Ericson Jogsten +46 19 30 12 09, email: ingrid.ericson@oru.se, or Head of School of Science and Technology, +46 19 30 12 36, email: henrik.olsson@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 to 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 (applies to employment as senior lecturer)
• Publication list (applies to employment as senior lecturer)
• 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 2026-05-25. We look forward to receiving your application!

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.