Chalmers University of Technology is seeking to recruit an outstanding individual to serve as Director of Onsala Space Observatory (OSO) and lead the Observatory’s continued development as a world-class research infrastructure.  

About us  

Chalmers University of Technology strives for academic excellence while addressing the challenges and needs of society and industry. We offer a creative and dynamic environment for research, education, innovation and applied science. 

Chalmers University of Technology hosts Onsala Space Observatory (OSO), Sweden’s national infrastructure for radio astronomy and space geodesy. OSO has a strong link to the Division of Astronomy and Plasma Physics and its broad astronomy research environment. The observatory is also a key part of Chalmers’ wider research and innovation ecosystem, benefiting from strong synergies with complementary infrastructures, such as Myfab for micro- and nanofabrication, Chalmers e-Commons for research data and computing, and the National Academic Infrastructure for Supercomputing in Sweden (NAISS). 

OSO supports internationally leading research through advanced facilities and instrumentation in radio astronomy and space geodesy. OSO is also a key partner in major international collaborations, including ALMA, SKAO, EVN, JIV-ERIC and LOFAR ERIC, and contributes to the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). OSO is operated by Chalmers University of Technology with financial support from the Swedish Research Council (VR) and Lantmäteriet (the National Land Survey of Sweden). OSO employs around 50 researchers and research support staff, as part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. 

The Role 

As Director of OSO, you will have a central leadership role with overall responsibility for the strategic, scientific and technical activities of the observatory. The role includes responsibility for staff, operations and budgets, as well as developing the organisation and competencies needed to ensure high-quality operations and strengthen OSO’s long-term scientific development, both nationally and internationally. 

An important part of the role is to continue to foster an engaging and attractive environment for employees, researchers and collaboration partners, and contribute to Chalmers’ long-term vision and ambition to be a leading technical university in Europe. 

The Director will represent OSO nationally and internationally, with an ambition to further strengthen its scientific profile, secure long-term funding, and develop strategic partnerships with universities, research infrastructures and other stakeholders. The Director will also play a key role in strengthening and developing OSO’s international collaborations. 

Working closely with scientific, technical and administrative staff, the Director will lead the continued development of the Observatory’s facilities and research-supporting technologies in radio astronomy and space geodesy. 

The Director reports to the Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Chalmers University of Technology, as well as to the international OSO Steering Committee. We will provide appropriate support to enable the Director to successfully fulfil the responsibilities of the role. 

Qualifications 

The successful candidate should have: 

1. Academic qualifications at the level of Professor in astronomy, with an internationally recognised scientific track record. 
2. A broad understanding of the international landscape in radio astronomy, astrophysics and space geodesy. 
3. Experience in leading and developing research infrastructures, research groups and/or laboratories, preferably in an international environment. 
4. Experience in managing personnel, budgets and operations in a complex scientific or technical organisation. 
5. Experience in developing international collaborations. 
6. Experience with advanced observational facilities, large-scale instrumentation or research infrastructures. 

Personal Characteristics 

We seek an inspiring and strategic leader who can set clear priorities, delegate effectively and enable others to take responsibility, while building trust and fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment. The successful candidate will combine sound judgement, operational effectiveness and financial responsibility with a strong strategic vision for the observatory and the ability to drive its operational development. 

Strong analytical, communication and intercultural skills are essential, together with the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with staff, university leadership, funding agencies and international partners. 

Employment terms  

The position as Director can be structured in one of two ways: either as a full-time permanent position as Director, or as a permanent faculty position with a fixed-term assignment as Director. The latter option requires an academic review for candidates who do not already hold a faculty position at Chalmers, where the role as Director would then be combined with individual research or teaching of up to 20% of full time. 

The Director recruitment follows Chalmers’ guidelines for leadership appointments and are carried out by a recruitment committee. The final decision is made by the President. 

The position is based at Onsala Space Observatory, in Sweden. 

Start date by agreement. 

What we offer 

Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring work environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead a nationally important research infrastructure with strong international visibility and influence. The successful candidate will play a leading role in shaping the future of Swedish radio astronomy and space geodesy while contributing to major international scientific collaborations. 

Chalmers and OSO provide a dynamic, international and inclusive work environment characterised by openness, collaboration, sustainability and scientific excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers. 

Application procedure 

Applications should be submitted in English through the Perrett Laver website quoting reference 8677. Please include:

1. A CV, including a publication list
2. A cover letter setting out your interest in the position and how you meet the criteria
3. Other documents (optional), for example copies of degree certificates

References will be requested if you progress in the recruitment process.

Interviews 

Interviews are planned for 10 December 2026, with 16 December 2026 as a possible second date. We kindly ask you to reserve these dates for a potential interview. If you are unavailable on these dates, please indicate this in your application.

If you are unavailable during this period, please indicate this in your application. 

As part of the recruitment process, a background check will be conducted on the final candidate. 

Nominations 

In parallel with this announcement, there is an opportunity to nominate candidates for the position. 

Please include the nominee’s contact details and a brief motivation explaining why you consider the person suitable for the role. Nominations should be submitted no later than 6 November to HR Partner Madelene Olsson, 

email: madelene.olsson@chalmers.se. 

For external applicants: 

If you are an external candidate and intend to conduct research and/or teaching alongside your assignment as Director, you will also be evaluated for a faculty position by Chalmers' Faculty Appointment Committee during this recruitment process. The purpose of the review is to ensure that you meet the requirements for a faculty position according to Chalmers Appointment Regulations for Teaching and Research Faculty. If you proceed in the recruitment process, you will be asked to supplement with teaching and research merits/documents, please see below. 

Pedagogical qualifications: 

1. Please compile a pedagogical portfolio to describe your pedagogical and educational qualifications using the format specified in the Pedagogical Portfolio instructions. 
2. Please append certificates for completed courses in pedagogical training and any other documents described in the pedagogical portfolio instructions. 

Other documents:  

1. Documents verifying awards and recognitions stated in your CV, and other documents relevant to support your application. 
2. Copies of a maximum of five relevant publications that cannot be accessed via your ORCID, Scopus ID or ResearcherID. 

Application deadline: 17 November, 2026 

For questions, please contact: 

Mattias Marklund, Head of Department 

mattias.marklund@chalmers.se 

Madelene Olsson, HR Partner 

madelene.olsson@chalmers.se  

We look forward to your application!