Research engineer for Skagerak Facility Employment

Om jobbet

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, (https://www.gu.se/en/marina-vetenskaper) combines extensive scientific competence with unique infrastructure to provide the most complete environment for marine science and education in Sweden. It is one of only a few such organisations in Europe. By integrating advanced research infrastructure with a strong link to societal needs and challenges, the Department contributes with new solutions to global ocean challenges.

The Department of Marine Sciences conducts research, education, and innovation related to the science of the ocean and its resources. Its activities are based in Gothenburg, at two research stations (Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, and Tjarno Marine Laboratory), and on the research vessel Skagerak. The Department has an interdisciplinary scope that encompasses marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, preservation of marine cultural heritage, and oceanography, working in all marine habitats from shallow bays and coastal seas to the open oceans. Our scientists and students often play leading roles in international collaborative research, including expeditions to Polar regions and the great seas of the world, as well as in our newly built laboratories with advanced equipment and complex analytical techniques. The Department also offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, a Bachelor's degree, three Master's degrees, and a Ph. D. programme, all within marine sciences.

The Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, is seeking a motivated and skilled Research Engineer to join the Skagerak Facility team. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of marine research and education, supporting both ship- and shore-based operations and systems.

The Skagerak Facility is a research infrastructure that consists of the Research Vessel Skagerak; an inventory of scientific marine equipment, sensors and platforms; marine data; and technical, crew and management personnel. RV Skagerak is a state-of-the-art research vessel built to promote research and education in the marine sciences carried out either by the University of Gothenburg, or other national and international universities. The research and education on board are multidisciplinary and currently covers the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, Iceland and Greenland, although other areas of operation are also possible. RV Skagerak is also chartered by commercial companies, especially in marine environmental monitoring, offshore wind developments and seabed or infrastructure mapping. The Skagerak Facility is also the lead of the new national infrastructure SWERVE (Swedish Research Vessel Infrastructure for Marine Research), which enables broad national use of research vessels in Sweden, enhances technician training and career development opportunities, and ensures vessel data is collected to a high standard and made internationally available.

The Skagerak Facility's vision is to provide world-leading research infrastructure and services for advanced multidisciplinary marine research and education that will benefit global society.

Duties

The Skagerak Facility Research Engineer position provides comprehensive technical support for ocean science aboard the RV Skagerak. The Research Engineer reports to the Skagerak Facility Ship Manager, and works cooperatively with shipboard scientists, vessel crew, and other external users as required. On a day-to-day basis, the research engineer works collaboratively with the Skagerak Facility IT and Data Manager to maintain onboard equipment and support data delivery actions. The position requires spending periods at sea (up to 3 weeks at a time), as required and dependent on the schedule and equipment being used. On average, the research engineer can expect to spend 100 days a year at sea.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide at-sea technical support during research, educational and commercial voyages onboard RV Skagerak, including training voyage participants regarding onboard scientific platforms if required
• Assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of a wide range of oceanographic sensors, sampling equipment, and research platforms. More information of the systems onboard can be found at gu.se/en/skagerak. Duties include coordination of the annual sensor calibration and maintenance schedules; learn and troubleshoot new electronic and mechanical systems and modifying existing systems to meet changing needs; repair both mechanical and electrical equipment as needed. These actions are done in collaboration with the IT and Data Manager.
• Manage and maintain the workshop and warehouse inventory, ensuring readiness of equipment for deployment. Develop and maintain the inventory management system (Marine Facilities Planning software) in collaboration with the Department of Marine Science
• Support the Skagerak Facility IT and Data Manager to manage IT networks, onboard data systems, and data management pipelines.
• Provide technical support and advice to researchers, teachers, students and commercial users, for the planning and mobilisation of voyages onboard RV Skagerak
• Contribute to a safe, efficient, collaborative and calm working environment at sea and on shore, including support for the UGot Work Environment Health and Safety representative on the ship and for the warehouse and workshop.
• Support planning, purchase, and implementation of new research infrastructure and equipment as required, including invoicing and purchase
• Support the Skagerak Ship Manager in collection of metrics for reporting, marketing and communication; support the efforts of the Skagerak Facility in showcasing the ship and its capabilities to the general public during tours and open-ship events.
• Support the delivery of SWERVE actions and engage in the Swedish National Marine Technicians Network
• The position will require a security clearance due to the potential handling of sensitive data.

Qualifications

The following are considered requirements for the position:

• It is essential that the Research Engineer onboard RV Skagerak has interpersonal skills that ensure a calm and supportive environment onboard. The applicant must be able to demonstrate their flexibility to troubleshoot problems and adapt to different situations. They must be able to work with a high degree of emotional maturity, professionalism and stability with diverse user group that includes students, researchers and commercial users from Sweden and internationally.
• Demonstrated sea-going experience in support of marine research or education.
• Advanced knowledge in the operation and maintenance of at least one of the key onboard scientific systems (CTD, Ferrybox, Echosounding equipment, weather sensors, ADCP) or significant practical knowledge of several.
• Strong technical skills in maintenance, repair, and calibration of equipment
• Familiarity with IT networks, data handling, or scientific data management systems.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support diverse user groups.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Fluent in English, and a working-level understanding of Swedish is a benefit.
• Strong technical skills in maintenance, repair, and calibration of equipment, and a clear demonstration of effective and systematic documentation processes.

The following is considered advantageous for the position:

• A scientific background or experience in scientific laboratories and laboratory equipment
• A background in a marine scientific discipline (chemistry, oceanography etc) or in electronics/sensors
• Experience with work environment or health and safety
• Experience with inventory and equipment management software or systems

We Offer

• A dynamic role in an internationally connected research environment.
• Opportunities for professional development in marine technology and data management.
• A chance to directly contribute to cutting-edge marine science and education.

Employment

The employment is 100 % of full time and placed predominantly on the RV Skagerak either at sea or in the homeport Nya Varvet, as well as the port facilities in Nya Varvet. Office facilities at the Gothenburg Natrium building are also available as required. Starting date is upon agreement. A probationary employment might be applied.

Contact information for the post

If you have any questions about the position, please contact
Louise Newman (louise.newman@gu.se; 0046 (0) 76 6182541)
Niklas Andersson (niklas.andersson.2@gu.se)

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact
Sofie Emanuelsson (sofie.emanuelsson@gu.se).

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

You should submit a CV and cover letter that outlines your experience related to the essential and desirable criteria, as well as motivation for applying. The application should be in English.

Applications must be received by:12 January 2026

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.