Would you like to advance your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is a given? With us, you’ll work alongside dedicated colleagues, have access to modern research infrastructure, and enjoy excellent opportunities to secure external funding. You’ll have the freedom to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

Product Innovation is part of the Department of Economics, Technology, Art, and Society (ETKS). The department is a leader in the fields of economics, work science, innovation, natural resources, the environment, and energy. The department offers technical and social science programs across a wide range of degree programs. The department has approximately 260 employees and conducts research in 12 research areas distributed across three divisions, with the Product Innovation program falling under the Division of People and Technology.As part of this position, you will join a research group working on various aspects of innovation in the product development process, from early-stage idea and concept development through design, development, implementation, production, business development, and life-cycle perspectives. This field lies at the intersection of business development, product development, production development, and innovation management, with a focus on innovation.Subject Description

Product innovation encompasses theories and methods for needs- and knowledge-driven development processes in which product and service development are linked.Job ResponsibilitiesThe position involves conducting research projects and communicating their results through academic publications, as well as being active within the research community in one’s own field. The position involves approximately 50% research, with a significant portion of the work consisting of helping to secure external research funding and participating in leadership and administrative duties.As an Assistant Professor of Product Innovation, you will develop and participate in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as supervise undergraduate theses and doctoral students.The position also involves contributing to the university’s development efforts, monitoring international trends in the field, and developing external contacts and collaborative projects with industrial, public, and academic partners in the areas of product innovation, product development, production development, and innovation management.QualificationsTo be eligible for appointment as an assistant professor, a candidate must: 

• Hold a doctoral degree or possess equivalent scientific competence, or have other professional expertise relevant to the position

When hiring an assistant professor, priority shall be given to candidates who have earned a doctoral degree within five years prior to the application deadline. However, a candidate who has earned a doctoral degree or otherwise attained equivalent qualifications at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special circumstances. Special reasons may include sick leave, parental leave, or other similar circumstances.Evaluation CriteriaThe following evaluation criteria apply to this position: 

• Scientific proficiency
• Other evaluation criteria

Other evaluation criteria (weighted equally):

• Doctoral degree in product innovation or a related subject, such as entrepreneurship and innovation, innovation management, industrial economics, technology and innovation management (or equivalent).
• Experience in teaching, including course development, in the areas of product innovation, product development, production development, innovation management, entrepreneurship, business development, or related fields.
• Experience in research and collaboration with the manufacturing industry and/or other industrial or societal actors relevant to product innovation is a plus. Experience in sustainable industrial transformation, digitalization, or innovation management is particularly advantageous.
• A strong scientific background verified by scientific publications following the doctoral dissertation.
• Ability to collaborate with industry, the public sector, and other societal stakeholders. Experience in leading or coordinating innovation efforts and research collaboration is a plus.
• Ability to communicate about research and development work.
• Administrative skills relevant to the subject matter and the duties associated with the position.
• Excellent proficiency in Swedish and English, both spoken and written, and the ability to teach in Swedish and English.Consideration will also be given to the applicant’s ability to collaborate, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant’s experience and expertise are deemed to complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, and innovation within the discipline, and contribute to its future development.Term of EmploymentThis position is for a term of four years.Promotion to Associate ProfessorAn assistant associate professor shall, upon application, be promoted to associate professor and granted a permanent appointment if he or she is qualified for a position as an associate professor and is deemed suitable for such a position following an evaluation based on the assessment criteria specified below. For the evaluation, the assistant associate professor must have completed higher education pedagogy training equivalent to 7.5 credits or otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge.&

During the term of employment, the assistant associate professor must also have contributed independently, to a significant extent, and with high quality to the university’s research, as well as demonstrated good teaching skills. 

InformationThis is a permanent position based in Luleå. Start date to be agreed upon. 

For further information, please contact: Subject Representative for Product Innovation Anna Öhrwall Rönnbäck at 0920-49 3262, mailto:anna.ohrwall.ronnback@ltu.se, or Department Head Jörgen Normark, 0920-49 1480, mailto:jorgen.normark@ltu.se.A preliminary salary range is specified for each position, based on the job’s requirements, responsibilities, and market conditions.  ApplicationWe prefer that you apply for the position using the application button below, where you should attach the required application documents, including degree certificates (certified and translated into Swedish or English), a reflection on your teaching practice, and publications, etc. Please be sure to include the reference number below in your application. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.Application deadline: September 24, 2026Reference number: 4362-2026