Why work at Örebro University?

Why work at Örebro University?

A spirit of development is present in every aspect of our operations. Our core mission is to provide education and research. Equally important is finding ways in which the knowledge generated within our organisation can be communicated to and utilised by other stakeholders within industry and commerce as well as in society in general. We strive to be an attractive place for work and studies where students and employees will get a sense of pride and satisfaction from being part of Örebro University.

Working in Sweden

• There are several good reasons why you should work in Sweden:
• The Swedish job market offers good terms and extensive rights to employees.
• Sweden provides a generous welfare system.
• Your family can get a residence permit when you work here.
• In Sweden new thinking and innovation are stimulated.
• Discrimination is prohibited. This applies to employers, employees and applicants for a job.

Working in Örebro

Örebro is located right in the middle of Sweden and with its 750 years of history it is one of the oldest towns in the country. Among its 150,000 inhabitants as much as 165 different countries are represented. Örebro is conveniently close to Stockholm (200 km), Gothenburg and Oslo (both 300 km), and this attractive location makes it a popular site for business and an excellent venue for conferences and trade shows.

Working at Örebro University

As an employee you will share our vision of Örebro University – a prominent university with a broad scientific base, the courage to review and the ability to evolve. Since 1999 we have evolved from being a university college with 12,000 students to a university with 15,000. The majority of the most attractive professional degree programmes are offered here and there is successful research in a broad range of subjects. Over 1,300 employees work at the university.

The commitment of our employees is the driving force of our development and it continues to take our work even further. As an employee you are therefore open to change and willing to commit yourself to fulfil the aim and vision of our university. Together we strive to achieve a working environment which is open and inspiring and where initiative is encouraged and achievement rewarded. We believe in creating a culture of quality which will permeate all our activities.

Educational philosophy

At Örebro University we are convinced that students can and want to take responsibility for their own learning. We invest in physical and digital settings which stimulate active learning, for our students as well as our employees. Out teaching rests upon scientific and well-tried experience and the connection with research is strong. Our researchers are actively engaged in teaching as well as in designing courses and degree programmes. We strive for education where discussion, openness and reflection are promoted. Teaching is developed through regular collegial interaction which is an integrated part of the schools' quality efforts.

Support for incoming employees

We offer support to you who are moving to Örebro to start work at Örebro University. Together with our various partners we offer support regarding:

• Finding a place to live.
• Contacts with different authorities, banks and medical services.
• Finding a kindergarten and school for your children.
• Understanding Swedish society and Swedish culture through a special introduction programme, social activities organised through the university, as well as information material.
• Teaching of Swedish specially aimed at the world of academia.
• Visiting Örebro and Örebro University before you move here.

Employee benefits

• Salary
  The salary depends on your qualifications and experience. This means that you and your employer will agree on the salary before you enter employment.
• Generous holiday terms
  You are entitled to holiday from the first year of your employment. Depending on your age you are entitled to 28-35 days of annual leave. If you are employed only part of the year the number of days of annual leave are based on the length of your employment. In addition to your ordinary salary you will also receive an extra payment when you are on holiday.
• Flexible working hours
  We apply flexible working hours. This means that you yourself have the freedom to plan your working hours, as long as the requirements of the work are fulfilled. In connection with certain public holidays in Sweden your working hours are shortened, which means that you may finish earlier these days.
• Parent-friendly working place
  If you are on parental leave you will receive a supplementary payment during the first 360 days of your parental leave. In addition you can also shorten your working hours with as much as 25 per cent until your child is 12 years old.
• Insurances
  As an employee you are covered by a number of insurance policies which are valid in different circumstances: If you are injured at work. If something happens to you, some degree of financial protection is provided for your family. When you are on a business trip, both within Sweden and abroad.
• Keep-fit activities
  As an employee you are entitled to spend one hour of your regular working hours each week on keep-fit activities. You also get a wellness grant every year, which should be used for physical activity, such as cardio fitness, or activities like yoga or swimming.
• Occupational health services
  We offer occupational health services. The purpose of the occupational health service is that you as an employee can get help with problems, physical or psychological, which are work related.
• Compensation in the event of illness
  If you fall ill you will receive supplementary compensation during days 15 to 365 independently of your income. You are entitled to visit a doctor during working hours. You will also be compensated for treatment fees and prescription drugs.
• Equality and gender equality
  Örebro University endeavours to be a work place of equality. This means that everyone will have the same possibilities and rights to develop and to exercise their influence over their work. Basically it is a question of creating justice and safe working conditions which together will contribute to higher quality of and increased competence within our operations.
• Programme for employees
  The programme for employees at Örebro University aims at providing you as an employee with increased understanding and knowledge of the organisation. As a new employee you will be well taken care of with an introduction both locally, at your school or department, and centrally.

Guide for international staff

See the following guide for practical information regarding your move/visit to Sweden. We also advise you to visit EURAXESS Sweden, a European network and a web portal that gives on-line information to researchers who are interested in doing research abroad. EURAXESS is also a tool for research institutes and scientific organizations in finding the right international research competence.