Laboratory Manager of the Hultgren Laboratory for Materials Characterization

Job description

The Hultgren Laboratory for Materials Characterization is a central KTH research infrastructure, supporting and conducting leading-edge materials science research, with special focus on sustainable metallic materials. The laboratory hosts a variety of advanced instruments for materials characterization, including structure characterization (SEM, TEM, APT, FIB, XRD, OM, etc.); thermal analysis (DSC, TG, MS, DIL, HT-LSCM, HT-XRD, etc.), and mechanical testing (ex situ/in situ nanoindentation, micro-/macro-hardness, environmental static and cyclic load testing), and a range of tools for preparation of alloys, and sample preparation for metallography and mechanical testing. The lab’s portfolio of instruments is continually renewed and expanded. 

The Hultgren Laboratory is hosted by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering which is recognized as having leading international expertise in process, physical and mechanical metallurgy. The laboratory also supports materials science research at other departments within KTH as well as from other academic, institute and company partners. You will have the opportunity to work closely with, support and be supported by, leading experts in the field of materials science.

The Hultgren Laboratory has now shaped a new role – Laboratory Manager.  As Laboratory Manager you will take responsibility for enhancing the impact of the Hultgren Laboratory on excellence.

An enhanced impact on excellence will be ensured via your expertise in facilitating the application of materials characterization techniques to solving Laboratory users' research problems; via your technical and organizational skills ensuring that instruments are maintained in optimal condition; and via your ability to provide expert training and support to users. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to and lead academic research projects as well to take the lead in providing materials characterization services to researchers and engineers e.g. from companies. Additionally, as Laboratory Manager you will also oversee the budget for the laboratory, including investments, operational expenses and income from user fees and services.

Furthermore, renewing the Hultgren Laboratory’s instrument pool in particular, and contributing to research excellence in general, may also include the preparation and application for research and instrument grants. Such grant preparation duties will be conducted together with the Laboratory’s Research Director.

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future.
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• The opportunity to work with cutting-edge materials characterization research and development, which directly contributes to innovations for sustainable industry transitions.

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Qualifications

You are either in the early stages of your career with a few years’ experience and a strong motivation, or you are already an experienced Laboratory Manager looking to take the next step in your career.  

Requirements

• A graduate degree or an advanced level (higher education) in the research subject or equivalent competence.
• A BSc or MSc in the field of materials science or a related discipline
• Experience of metallography
• Experience of supporting research via materials characterisation work
• Experience of advanced materials characterisation in microscopy, thermal analysis or mechanical testing

As a person, you have:

• Keen interest in the application of materials characterisation technologies to solve users’ research problems
• Subject-related skills, strong technology skills in instrumentation, especially within the materials characterization field
• Professional skills to develop, organize and maintain technology and services
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality
• Collaborative abilities to work with a diverse range of people with different skill sets

And, are able to also work:

• Independently with high integrity

Preferred qualifications

• A licentiate or PhD in the field of materials science or a related discipline
• Experience of the role of Laboratory Manager
• Experience from universities and/or industry
• Materials science research and development experience
• Experience of Consultancy Assignments

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

The application must include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Brief account of why you want to, and why you are qualified to, take the Hultgren Laboratory’s instrument set and service offering to the next level. Maximally two pages long.

Your complete application must be received by KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The employment is valid until further notice (permanent post) according to agreement.
The employment begins with a six-month probationary period.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

According to The Protective Security Act (2018-585), the candidate must undergo and pass security vetting if the position is placed in a security class. Information regarding whether the position is subject to such a classification will be provided during the recruitment process.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence. 

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here

1. Denise McCluskey, denmccl@kth.se
2. Peter Hedström, pheds@kth.se