Senior lecturer in mechanical engineering with a specialisation in applied mechanics

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology is accepting applications for the position of senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, specialising in applied mechanics. The position is based within the subject of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Physics. The department is characterised by a friendly, inspiring and international atmosphere, with many employees from around the world. Mechanical and Materials Engineering is one of four subjects within the department, which employs approximately 60 people, including 9 professors. The department also houses Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, and Physics.

We offer PhD programmes in materials engineering, industrial engineering and management, and physics, and master’s programmes in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering and management, and engineering physics, as well as bachelor’s programmes in mechanical engineering, innovation and design engineering, and electrical engineering. The department conducts extensive research in mechanical and materials engineering.

The mechanical engineering research focuses on applied mechanics, such as solid mechanics, the finite element method (FEM) and fracture mechanics related to various types of material. The materials engineering research focuses on advanced materials, fatigue, tribology and additive manufacturing. A large portion of the research is conducted in collaboration with industry partners.

Duties

Main duties include:

• Teaching in our engineering programmes, which also includes assessment, course planning and course development
• Developing, leading and participating in applied mechanics research projects, including applying for research funding
• Collaboration at both national and international levels on research and education
• Supervising doctoral students
• Collaboration with the wider community and the private sector
• Education administration

Teaching includes courses in mechanical engineering at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels, primarily in mechanics, solid mechanics, machine dynamics, FEM and material mechanics. Teaching other courses may also be required. Research is conducted drawing on your academic expertise, in collaboration with other researchers in the department, with the aim of strengthening and further developing the department’s research in applied mechanics, preferably with a focus on multiscale modelling.  The research should also support materials engineering research within the fields of fatigue and fracture mechanics.

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.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, applicants are required to have demonstrated teaching expertise. Applicants are also required to hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications in mechanical engineering, or other professional qualifications deemed relevant to the nature of the position and the duties included therein.

Additional qualification requirements:

• High quality and relevance in research production
• Ability to collaborate with the wider community and disseminate information about activities and results
• Ability to initiate and develop research or activities within the relevant subject area
• Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, develop and evaluate teaching, examinations and other pedagogical activities at different levels and using varied teaching methods

Lecturers at Karlstad University are expected to be able to teach in both English and Swedish. The position requires a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English. An applicant who does not meet the requirement of proficiency in Swedish may still be hired, provided that they are able to actively acquire the language skills.

The appointment also requires completed training in higher education pedagogy. An applicant who has not completed training in higher education pedagogy may still be eligible for the position, provided that they use the time allotted for professional development to complete the training within two years of employment.

For more information on qualification requirements, please refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure, 9_26 Rev anst_llningsordning slutlig-signed_0_1.pdf (Swedish).

Assessment criteria

In the assessment criteria for appointment as a senior lecturer, the degree of such expertise required as a qualification for employment shall apply. Equal weight will be given to teaching expertise and research expertise.

Special weight will be given to demonstrated experience and ability to:

• Independently and in collaboration with others, develop and implement a research profile in applied mechanics
• Secure research funding in competition with others
• Teach university courses in applied mechanics, such as mechanics, solid mechanics, machine dynamics, FEM and material mechanics, and assess student performances in said courses

Considerable weight will be given to:

• Experience in industrial research and development, as well as collaboration projects between academia and industry
• Personal qualities such as the ability to collaborate, take responsibility and show initiative and determination, as well as commitment and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students
• Experience in research on fatigue and fracture mechanics, including practical testing
• Ability to teach in Swedish

Valuable qualifications:

• Experience from international employment, projects or collaboration in national and international networks
• Demonstrated ability to supervise PhD students and degree projects
• Experience of working with artificial intelligence, machine learning and management of large datasets
• Interest and insights regarding developments of teaching within the field, as well as experience in course development in mechanical engineering
• Experience from academic elected positions
• Recognised or distinguished teaching and assessment skills

Terms

This is a permanent full-time position starting at the earliest convenience, as agreed upon by both parties.

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 in relation to the duties of the position
• An in-depth account of teaching experience
• Certificate to verify completed courses in higher education pedagogy or an account of equivalent skills
• An in-depth account of research experience
• An account of other relevant experience
• An account of administrative experience
• Plans for future work
• An account of collaborations, international experience, etc.
• A list of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• An account of language skills
• 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:
Karlstads universitet
HR-administratör
651 88 Karlstad
Sweden

Application deadline: May 13, 2026                           

State the reference number: REK2026/101

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.

This translation carries no legal weight.