Technical Lead EU programme

The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. The project includes the most powerful linear proton accelerator ever built, a five-tonne, helium-cooled tungsten target wheel, 15 state-of-the-art neutron instruments, a suite of laboratories, and a supercomputing data management and software development centre. In the context of its history and future as a scientific organisation, however, it is more than the sum of its parts. It is a brand new Big Science organisation and we are building it from the ground up.

About the position

ESS has, together with several other parties, secured funding for a European research programme, FlexRICAN, part of Horizon-2023 Europe, which is a major funding programme of the EU for research and innovation projects.

The FlexRICAN project brings together several landmark Research Infrastructures (RIs) that have, or will have, when in operation different usages of energy; ESS in Sweden, the Extreme Light Infrastructure with facilities in Czech Republic and Hungary, and the European Magnetic Field Laboratory with facilities in France, Netherlands and Germany. Two key actors of the energy sector, Alfa Laval (Sweden) and Energy Pool (France) are also among the partners involved in the project.

The RIs and partners involved will unite their strengths to optimise their ongoing and future sustainability and energy projects. They will demonstrate that the RIs, as electro-intensive actors, can develop a global energy approach, delivering services to the European electrical grid through optimised energy flexibility, and to local heating networks by developing waste heat recovery projects. Through the development of a multi-energy approach, FlexRICAN will propose new technologies and solutions to increase resource use efficiency and reduce environmental impacts of the RIs. The project will focus on assessing and validating the implementation of new solutions and technologies at the three RIs involved.

Some examples of scientific objectives:


• Providing an efficient solar power generation through the optimisation of equipment.
• Ensuring a powerful energy storage system.
• Developing a methodology to optimise waste heat recovery projects.

For this project we are now in search of a Technical Lead who will function as project manager, building up and leading a small team. Together you will work with the allocation and coordination of all resources, human and financial, to reach the project objectives within the pre-defined contractual and time frames. The tasks will include project management in the following areas: Financial, contractual, communication, quality, risk, data and other administrative areas.

This position will include travel within the EU on a regular basis. It is a 3-year fixed-term position based in Lund, Sweden, and we need someone who can start as soon as practically possible.

About you:

The successful candidate has an education in the technical area, at university level or other level that we deem relevant. You also have work experience from the technical field. Furthermore, you have documented project management experience and leadership experience. It is an advantage if you have experience from working with, or a strong interest in, matters concerning energy and sustainability.

While existing ESS staff will support you in this role, and preparatory work for the project has been carried out, it is vital that you are self-driven and have the ability to take initiatives. You enjoy collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including giving presentations and leading meetings. You are solution oriented and can see the big picture even if setbacks occur.

Experience from an international environment and fluency in written and spoken English is required.

What can we offer?

Aside from the chance to work at a truly unique "Big Science" project, you can also expect:


• An opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, exciting and fast-paced work environment.
• Market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements.
• 30 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.
• Flexible working arrangements and a real work-life balance.

Interested? We sure hope so.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website. Submit your application by 13 November, 2023.

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety and/or security checks, which may be carried out during the recruitment process.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/page/hiring-process or contact Recruitment Officer Åsa Ander at asa.ander@ess.eu

For further information regarding the position, please contact current Technical Lead Anders Sunesson @anders.sunesson@ess.eu

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Conny Wendt at conny.wendt@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at marc.kickulies@ess.eu

We look forward to receiving your application soon!