Systems Developer at the Arctic Centre, 50%

Umeå University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Arctic Centre at Umeå University is a hub for transdisciplinary research and education at Umeå University. The Centre offers a unique environment that prioritises collaboration, networking, and strategic planning in order to address today’s societal challenges. Read more about the Arctic Centre at Umeå University.

We work with new and existing cross-disciplinary activities with a focus on sustainability, climate, health, just transition, green industrialisation, Indigenous perspectives, and rural issues. The Arctic Centre promotes excellence in Arctic research and education and strengthens Umeå University’s central position both nationally and internationally. Through research-based knowledge, we contribute to sustainable development in the Arctic.

The Centre collaborates internally with the University’s four faculties and the Teacher Education Programme, as well as with external partners, particularly within the networks The Arctic Six and the University of the Arctic. These collaborations create opportunities for affiliated researchers and doctoral students to develop and build their own networks. The Arctic Centre also runs an Arctic research school with a focus on sustainability and supports early-career researchers, thereby building for the future of research and education with an Arctic focus.

We are now seeking a part-time systems developer starting on 1 April 2026 or as agreed. The position is organisationally placed at the Department of Language Studies, which serves as the host department for the Arctic Centre.

Description of duties

The systems developer provides qualified support in a development assignment focused on building, further developing, and maintaining technical structures for data management, analysis, and reporting in a research-oriented environment. The position aims to strengthen the organisation’s long-term capacity to collect, structure, update, and analyse data, as well as to reproduce analyses and visualisations over time.

The duties include:

Developing, structuring, and further developing databases capable of handling multiple datasets and enabling recurring analyses.
Building and further developing code-based workflows for data collection, processing, and database updates, including work with external data sources and APIs.
Developing methods and program code that ensure the database can be updated in a robust, transparent, and reproducible manner.
Producing requirement specifications and technical descriptions in dialogue with researchers and other staff, as a basis for developing databases, analyses, and visualisations.
Processing, quality-assuring, and structuring data from relevant sources, and producing tables, analyses, and material for reports.
Developing visualisations and dashboards that enable reproduction of graphs and analytical results from reports and adapting visualisations for web publication when required.
Developing and maintaining technical documentation, including documentation of code, databases, workflows, and methodological choices, to enable long-term use and further development after the project has ended.

The systems developer works closely with researchers and other staff and contributes to the development of shared routines, templates, and ways of working. The work is carried out iteratively, with solutions being further developed over time. The work is performed independently, in close dialogue with the organisation.

The duties may vary over time.

Required qualifications

The position requires a relevant higher education degree in, for example, computer science, information science, or another field deemed equivalent by the employer, as well as at least two years of professional experience in technical and project-based work in a research or development environment.

The duties require:

Good programming skills, for example in Python and R, and experience working with databases and data management.
Experience working with APIs and automated workflows for data collection and updating.
Ability to develop and work based on requirement specifications and technical descriptions.
Basic applied statistical understanding and analytical ability.
Ability to work in a structured and independent manner and to document technical solutions clearly and usefully.

A very good command of English is required, as the work takes place in a research-oriented and international environment.

We are looking for a person who is analytical, thorough, and solution-oriented, with good collaboration skills and an interest in research data, methodological development, and technical solutions.

Desirable qualifications

Experience in bibliometrics, research evaluation, or working with research and publication data.
Experience with tools and databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Dimensions, or similar.
Experience with visualisation, dashboards, or the development of reusable analysis and visualisation structures.
Knowledge of JavaScript and/or TypeScript, particularly in relation to visualisation or web-oriented solutions.
Experience of agile or iterative working methods in development projects.
Good knowledge of Swedish is considered an asset.

Application

The application must be submitted no later than 13 March 2026 via the e-recruitment system Varbi. The application must include:

A personal letter explaining the reason for applying for the position
CV / list of qualifications
Documentation of formal qualifications (grades, degree certificates, course certificates, employment certificates, etc.)

Other information

The employment is limited until 16 October 2026 starting 1 April 2026 or as agreed. The place of employment is Umeå and a high level of on‑site presence is required.

When employed by Umeå University, you also have many benefits that you can read more about here: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/benefits/

Welcome with your application!

Please note: the Swedish version is the official version of this advertisement. In the case of any differences in information between this and the official version, it is the official version that is the legally correct version of the advertisement for this position.