Looking for a research manager colleague: — Get to work on major societal challenges

New colleague. Research leader Brigt Dale at Nordland Research Institute wants a new colleague.

As a research leader at Nordland Research Institute You spend half your time leading and developing the institute and its researchers – and half on your own research.

Nordland Research Institute has advertised a position as research manager, and the role ranges from long-term strategic choices to ongoing priorities in everyday life.

— It is a combination of strategic work at the department level – where we are going and how we are going to develop further – and more academically based work from week to week, says Brigt Dale.

Sets direction

He is currently one of two research leaders at the institute, and is now looking for a new colleague as long-time research leader Ragnhild Holmen Waldahl seeks new challenges.

—As research managers, we, together with the researchers, make assessments of which tenders and processes we should go for, who has available capacity, and facilitate the creation of good teams that can work on the projects we want, explains Dale.

The role also involves facilitating professional development, ensuring the quality of deliveries and coordinating application work in a day-to-day environment where many parallel processes are running simultaneously.

Collaborates closely 

The new research director will lead the Welfare and Working Life research group, and will have personnel responsibility for the researchers in the group. 

The most important collaboration between the research leaders is related to the management group and daily operations.

— We are responsible for strategic development and practical problem solving and daily operations in collaboration with the chief of staff and director, says Brigt Dale.

The collaboration between the two research leaders also concerns how the research projects are put together and implemented.  

Institute collection. Here are the employees at Nordland Research Institute gathered for academic and social enrichment during the annual department gathering. Photo: Marta Anna Løvberg

—Since the teams often span across groups, it may be the case that we are both involved in how projects are implemented, says Dale.

Important recruitment work 

The research leaders also act as sparring partners in project implementation.

"We become discussion partners about how projects are implemented. It could be recruiting new knowledge into the project that is missing in the group," says Dale.

Building the right expertise for the future is one of the research manager's most important tasks.

"Because the competitive situation around us is constantly changing, it is important that we are able to identify where we need expertise. It is our task to monitor how this develops over time," explains Dale.

This includes monitoring the type of knowledge that is in demand both in terms of contributions and assignments, and facilitating employees' familiarization with relevant fields.

Knowledge workplaces in the north

Dale believes it is important for the country to have research institutes that Nordland Research Institute .

— We believe that knowledge communities with roots here are important for settlement in Northern Norway and for making visible from the ground what is happening here. 

He points to the importance of standing together with other regional research institutes that work on issues in the periphery.

—We contribute to robust societies by ensuring that there are knowledge-based workplaces throughout the country.

— Here you quickly get responsibility 

As a researcher at Nordland Research Institute You quickly get opportunities and responsibilities that you would hardly get at a larger research institution.

This is according to Helena Gonzales Lindberg, who started as a senior researcher at the Bodø office 3.5 years ago.  

Thriving. Senior researcher Helena Gonzales Lindberg and director André W. Larsen are enjoying themselves Nordland Research Institute , and have worked here for 3.5 and one year respectively.

"We get to try a lot of different things, and I like being thrown into new things and trying things out," says Lindberg.

She and her family moved from Malmö and the plan was to stay for a couple of years, but the family has no immediate plans to move. 

Many possibilities

"We quickly get responsibility for projects, are put in charge of application processes and do things you don't get in larger places. That's something I've appreciated. It's a little scary, but also very educational," says Lindberg.

She also wants to emphasize that there is a good collegial atmosphere, where people cheer each other on.

"It's also cool that we get to put together teams ourselves, and can work across research groups. If you have a good idea, you can work on applications together and suddenly have cool new projects," says Lindberg.

Influencing future politics

Director André W. Larsen is looking for a researcher who has a desire to contribute through knowledge production to developing society – and lead others in this work.

—It's an incredibly exciting job where you, with a dedicated group, Researchers "We get to work on some of the major societal challenges we face today," says Larsen.

The research and study work carried out is funded from several sources, such as the Research Council of Norway and through assignments for directorates and ministries.

"Our research helps influence future policy," says Larsen.

"We are looking for a skilled researcher within one of our fields, who can inspire and lead others," says Larsen.

Do you want to help set the direction for knowledge development in the North?
Read more about the position and apply here: Exciting leadership job within research | FINN.no