Associate senior lecturer in analytical chemistry with expertise in chromatography

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology is now accepting applications for a position as associate senior lecturer in analytical chemistry at the Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences. The department conducts extensive research and provides education within the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, building and construction engineering, and environmental engineering. The department currently has approximately 60 employees and is responsible for two Master of Science (MSc) programs, two Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs, and one Bachelor of Science (BSc) program. We also have courses in teacher education and several other MSc programs.

The Bachelor’s programme in chemistry with a specialisation in pharmaceutical analysis at Karlstad University prepares students to work in all areas of chemistry, while offering a distinctive focus on pharmaceutical analysis developed in close collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. The programme has a well-documented and strong connection between education and research, and most chemistry courses at Karlstad University are offered as both on-campus and distance courses.

The MSc in Chemical Engineering Programme focuses on developing new materials and sustainable manufacturing processes.

The department also runs a business research school, EXACT. It aims to contribute to a sustainable manufacturing industry as well as future-proofing Swedish process-manufacturing industry through needs-based research.

The degree programmes have a strong link to the research conducted at Karlstad University, and researchers in the subject of chemistry are involved in:

• Pro2BE (https://www.kau.se/en/pro2be)
• The SOLA Project (https://www.kau.se/en/sola)
• The business research school EXACT (https://www.kau.se/en/exact)
• Mission 0 House (https://www.lindholmen.se/en/mission-0-house)

The position as associate senior lecturer primarily aims to attract ambitious and qualified researchers who are at the beginning of their career and looking to gain valuable qualifications in the field.

The main duties involve conducting research in analytical chemistry with a focus on gas chromatography (GC), particularly method development and sample preparation for complex matrices such as biochar, fermentation samples and pharmaceuticals. The aim is to establish and develop the GC laboratory and to integrate this expertise into existing research environments in analytical chemistry, including the research centre Pro2Be. Your work should contribute to ongoing research projects, initiate new collaborative projects with industrial partners in areas such as pharmaceuticals, the steel industry, and the pulp and paper industry, and strengthen the department’s national and international research networks. Duties also include developing collaborations with academic environments at other universities and research institutes, both nationally and internationally. Your work should be characterised by inquisitiveness, an independent approach, the will to further develop the subject and high quality in general. During the employment, you are expected to apply for external research funding. At least 75% of working hours are reserved for research.

Duties also include teaching courses in the Bachelor's program in Chemistry, as well as contributing to the development of courses in analytical chemistry at the Master’s level. Teaching mainly involves analytical chemistry and may include both lectures and laboratory sessions. Duties may also include administrative tasks and assignments within the university’s operations. The subject is currently working on developing a Master’s programme in chemistry, and you will be expected to contribute to this development work. For an associate senior lecturer, teaching duties can amount to a maximum of 25% of full-time.

You are expected to collaborate with the wider community for a mutual exchange, as well as work towards ensuring that the knowledge and expertise available at the university is of benefit to society.

To contribute to a positive work environment and further the department’s activities, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

During the employment period as an associate senior lecturer, you are given the opportunity to further your skills as an independent researcher, as well as gain additional qualifications in terms of both research and teaching expertise.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of associate senior lecturer, applicants are required to hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications in analytical chemistry. The position is primarily intended for applicants who have completed their PhD, or acquired equivalent qualifications, no longer than five years before the application deadline. If an applicant completed their PhD or corresponding competence more than five years ago, this requirement may be waived if there are special circumstances. By special circumstances, we refer to special grounds such as sick leave, parental leave or similar types of leave.

Proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Proficiency in Swedish is usually another requirement. An applicant who does not meet the requirement of proficiency in Swedish may still be hired provided they are able to actively acquire the language skills within two years.

Pursuant to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure, teachers must have the personal qualities required to perform the duties involved, as well as completed training in higher education pedagogy. Candidates who have not completed training in higher education pedagogy may still be hired, provided that they use the time allotted to continual professional development to do so within two years of employment, or that they apply for validation of prior learning. For other qualification requirements, refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure.

Assessment criteria

Special weight will be given to:

• Documented expertise in gas chromatography.
• Documented experience in analysing volatile compounds using GC, including sample preparation and method development.
• The ability to contribute new expertise and experience of relevance to the subject.
• High-quality academic output in renowned, peer-reviewed international journals in analytical chemistry, with a special focus on GC, preferably demonstrating broad, deep and up-to-date expertise.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and collaborating with industry, government agencies or non-profit organisations in areas relevant to chemistry.

Considerable weight will be given to:

• Documented experience in teaching both Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, and/or supervision of students on different levels.
• Personal qualities such as taking initiative, being result-oriented, taking responsibility and showing strong collaborative skills. This also includes commitment and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.

Weight will be given to:

• Development work outside of academia.

Further information on qualification requirements and assessment criteria can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 12 and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure.

Terms

Temporary 4-year full-time position. Preliminary start date is 1 January 2026 or according to agreement.

Terms for promotion to senior lecturer

Upon applying, an associate senior lecturer should be promoted to senior lecturer provided he or she is qualified for the position (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 4) and is deemed suitable following an assessment (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 4a).

The applicant must have completed the required training in higher education pedagogy.

Eligibility for permanent employment at Karlstad University usually includes proficiency in Swedish and English. A candidate who does not meet this requirement may still be hired provided they are able to actively acquire these language skills.

For other eligibility requirements, refer to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure

https://www.kau.se/files/2023-12/Appointments procedure_eng_20220928.pdf

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, refer to “What should be included with my application?”
Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• CV
• cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and research interests in relation to the duties of the position
• an in-depth account of research experience
• an in-depth account of teaching experience
• certificate to verify completed courses in higher education pedagogy, if completed, or an account of equivalent skills
• an account of other relevant experience
• managerial, collaborative, and administrative experience
• plans for future work
• an account of collaborations, international network experience, etc.
• list of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• language proficiency certificates
• copy of PhD degree certificate or documented equivalent academic expertise, or equivalent professional qualifications deemed relevant to the nature of the position and the duties included therein.
• no more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programs for teaching, or popular science articles
• two references, at least one of which is a current or former supervisor.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstad university
HR-administratör
651 88 KARLSTAD
SWEDEN

Application deadline: 17 August 2025                                  

State the ref. no: REK2025/19

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.