Researcher - Laboratory Manager to the Hultgren Laboratory

KTH Royal Institute of Technology; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is seeking a Laboratory Manager for the Hultgren Laboratory, responsible for coordinating research operations and ensuring safety and efficiency. The role involves managing user access, equipment functionality, and budgeting, while fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in materials characterization techniques and possess excellent collaboration skills, with fluency in English expected. Proficiency in Swedish and experience in lab management are preferred.

Qualifications

• Research experience in materials characterization techniques, e.g., XRD, SEM, TEM, thermal analysis.
• Ability to express yourself well in English, spoken and written.
• Strong collaboration skills, able to support teaching and learning activities.

Responsibilities

• Overall coordination and day-to-day operation of the laboratory.
• Manage user access and respond to enquiries.
• Oversee maintenance, functionality, and safe operation of all equipment.

Skills

Research experience in materials characterization techniques

Strong collaboration skills

Structured approach to planning

Problem solving and analytical capabilities

Job description

Researcher - Laboratory Manager to the Hultgren Laboratory

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Engineering and Management

The Hultgren Laboratory is a KTH infrastructure open to students and researchers from universities, institutes and industry. It provides a comprehensive suite of instruments for sample preparation, materials characterization and measurement of materials’ properties. While the facility offers measurement services, it is primarily set up for independent use by researchers, who after appropriate training, can operate the tools and instruments themselves. Most research conducted at the laboratory focuses on metallic and hard materials; however, the instrumentation is also well suited to the study of a broad range of other solid‑state materials, such as ceramics, polymers, semiconductors, composites and biomaterials.

The overarching goal of the Hultgren Laboratory is to enable high‑quality, materials research and education by providing reliable, accessible, and state‑of‑the‑art experimental capabilities. Central to this mission is fostering an efficient, well‑supported user environment that promotes both scientific excellence and collaboration across academia and industry.

The Laboratory Manager plays a key role in achieving these objectives. The position is responsible for the overall coordination and day‑to‑day operation of the laboratory, including managing user access, responding to enquiries, and ensuring an effective onboarding and training process for new users.

The Laboratory Manager will oversee the maintenance, functionality and safe operation of all equipment, while also providing technical support to users in their experimental work. In addition, the role includes responsibility for the laboratory’s financial oversight, including budgeting, operational costs, investments, and income from user fees and services. While primary responsibility for individual instruments is distributed across the team, the Laboratory Manager is expected to take technical leadership for selected equipment aligned with their expertise; for example, XRD, SEM, thermal analysis or mechanical testing.

Beyond operational responsibilities, the Laboratory Manager is expected to contribute strategically to the laboratory’s development by defining a clear vision and initiating plans for long‑term improvements in infrastructure, services and instrumentation. The aim is to continuously strengthen the laboratory’s capabilities and enhance its contribution to research excellence and innovation.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Research experience in materials characterization techniques, e.g., XRD, SEM, TEM, thermal analysis, mechanical behavior.
• The ability to express yourself very well in English, spoken and written, as this will be required in day‑to‑day work.
• Strong collaboration skills including the ability to support teaching and learning activities.
• Can take initiative
• Structured approach to planning and carrying out activities
• Problem solving and analytical capabilities
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with research into metallic/hard materials
• Experience in managing laboratory operations and equipment
• Experience supervising students and/or staff
• Experience in method development
• Experience in writing proposals for funding
• Experience in budget responsibility
• Knowledge of laboratory safety standards
• Proficiency in Swedish as it is required in day to day work.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.