Director, Onsala Space Observatory

Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Chalmers University of Technology seeks an outstanding leader to serve as Director of Onsala Space Observatory (OSO) and guide its development as a premier national research infrastructure. The Director will oversee staff, operations and budgets, shape strategy, and strengthen international partnerships.

The role requires leading and expanding OSO's scientific profile, securing long-term funding, and representing the observatory in Sweden and abroad, in collaboration with Chalmers and

Qualifications

• Professor in astronomy with an internationally recognized track record.
• Broad understanding of radio astronomy, astrophysics and space geodesy.
• Experience leading and developing research infrastructures or labs, preferably international.
• Experience in managing personnel, budgets and operations in a complex scientific/technical organisation.
• Experience in developing international collaborations.
• Experience with advanced observational facilities or large-scale instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for OSO's scientific and technical activities.
• Oversee staff, operations and budgets, and develop the organisation.
• Foster an engaging environment for employees and partners.
• Represent OSO nationally and internationally and secure long-term funding.
• Strengthen international collaborations and partnerships.
• Lead development of OSO facilities and supporting technologies.

Skills

Leadership experience

International collaborations

Strategic planning

People management

Budget management

Observational facilities

Education

Professor in Astronomy

Job description

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 is a leading station withinthe 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:

• Academic qualifications at the level of Professor in astronomy, with an internationally recognised scientific track record.
• A broad understanding of the international landscape in radio astronomy, astrophysics and space geodesy.
• Experience in leading and developing research infrastructures, research groups and/or laboratories, preferably in an international environment.
• Experience in managing personnel, budgets and operations in a complex scientific or technical organisation.
• Experience in developing international collaborations.
• 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 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.