Senior lecturer or lecturer in Mechanical Engineering

We are looking for a senior lecturer or lecturer with extensive industrial experience in Mechanical Engineering, for a fixed-term position at the School of Science and Technology, Örebro University.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is Mechanical Engineering.

Background

Mechanical Engineering at Örebro University is looking to hire a senior lecturer or lecturer with expertise in production development and quality development, as applied in production development processes.

The subject has been developing in recent years and is under continued expansion, and is responsible for four engineering programmes (three bachelor’s programmes and one master’s programme) and also one master’s programme in development. Research is conducted by two research groups: “Mechanics and materials” and "Digitalized development and operation of sustainable products and production systems".  The applicant is expected to be part of the latter.

As part of the subject's expansion in production development and quality development, we are looking to hire either a lecturer or a lecturer with extensive industrial experience who wants to join us to further develop high-quality education in these areas. Consequently, if there is no applicant who meets the requirements for eligibility as a senior lecturer, we are open to hiring a qualified person who meets the eligibility and assessment criteria for lecturer.

Duties and responsibilities

At Örebro University, a senior lecturer is expected to spend their working hours on teaching at all levels and research. In addition to teaching, duties and responsibilities include development work, administration and continued professional development. Moreover, teaching encompasses supervision, examination, course development, planning and evaluation. 

A lecturer at Örebro University 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.

The candidate is expected to carry out teaching in the areas of quality development and production development, which include the quality management systems such as ISO 9000 - and 14000 – families, including their structuring and development. The successful candidate will contribute to the design and delivery of teaching materials related to modelling and analysis of complex production systems, efficient and interruption-free production, and related issues.

Qualifications

Those qualified for appointment as senior lecturer are applicants who have demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a doctoral degree in a subject relevant for the position, or have the corresponding research competence or other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject area 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

At Örebro University, learning rests upon scientific and well-tried experience and stems from research and reflection on teaching, learning and didactics in higher education. When appointing teaching staff, both the applicant’s research expertise and their teaching expertise will be assessed, and they are to be given equal attention. The assessment is also 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 to be demonstrated through independent research contributions, particularly in fields relating to expected duties and responsibilities, and continued scientific publishing following the award of the doctoral degree. Weight is also given to the candidate’s establishment in the research community as well as to their experience of planning, administrating, and leading their own research.

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 of a senior lecturer is to be demonstrated through different teaching contributions, such as planning, execution, and evaluation of teaching activities, as well as supervision and examination. The applicant must be able to account for their teaching approach and reflect on their own pedagogical development as well as on the teacher’s role. The applicant is also expected to have contributed to educational development. Experience of developing significant course material is appreciated. Having the ability to maintain a scientific approach in teaching and connecting research to teaching is important.

Teaching expertise of a lecturer is to be demonstrated through previous qualifications and experience of teaching or of similar learning situations. The applicant must also be able to account for ways in which a scientific approach is applied in teaching.

Since the position primarily concerns teaching, both as senior lecturer and lecturer, pedagogical skill is valued higher, especially related to quality management systems in industrial applications.

Collaboration and public engagement skills

The ability to interact with the surrounding society is an important part of a university teacher’s role and it requires a good understanding of various societal processes and the impact of university activities on these. Assessment of collaboration and public engagement skills looks at three aspects: the ability to communicate, the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society, and the ability to facilitate utilisation of the university’s research.

Leadership skills

In assessing leadership and administrative skills, particular consideration should be given to leadership qualifications within education and research, such as contributions to development work. Depending on the specialisation and duties of the appointment, qualifications from operations outside of the higher education sector may be considered.

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.  

Other assessment criteria

Engineering background and experience in quality management systems such as ISO 9000 - and 14000 – families, including knowledge of their structuring and development are required. An additional requirement is experience in sustainable production development and quality development including lean and six sigma.

Experience with the system of higher education in Sweden is meritorious.

Very good language skills in Swedish and good English are a requirement. Experience in supervising MSc students is desirable.

Information

This is a fixed-term full-time position for six months. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information about the position, please contact Professor Magnus Löfstrand, +46 19 30 32 83, email: magnus.lofstrand@oru.se, or Dr. Jens Ekengren, deputy head of unit, +46 19 30 33 25, email: jens.ekengren@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; and to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues an equal work environment and values 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 per 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 2024-10-14. We look forward to receiving your application!

We decline any contact with advertisers or recruitment agencies in the recruitment process.

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.