Nominate your Pro-vice-chancellor candidates

Umeå University students, staff, teachers, researchers and alumni are welcome to nominate candidates for the post as new pro-vice-chancellor. You can propose anyone you see fit, as long as they fulfil the eligibility requirements. Nominees do not need to be consulted – even if it is beneficial.

Assignment

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, the Vice-Chancellor must have a deputy, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who serves in the Vice-Chancellor’s place when he or she is not in service. The Vice-Chancellor’s deputy also replaces the Vice-Chancellor to the extent determined by the Vice-Chancellor. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who is part of the university management, works closely with the Vice-Chancellor, other university management, and faculty management, and has a central role in the university’s leadership and development.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the University Board on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor at the meeting on 29 April 2025. Anna Ekström, who leads the recruitment committee appointed by the University Board, and Professor Tora Holmberg, who is the University Board’s proposal for the new Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University, are responsible for the appointment process.

Qualifications

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor must: 

• Be a professor with in-depth experience in conducting, leading, and developing higher education and research of high international quality
• Be well versed in the conditions, terms, and working methods of the university and higher education sector
• Have a proven track record of academic leadership with employer responsibilities and demonstrated good results with clear and collaborative leadership
• Understand, gather, and develop the conditions and opportunities of a broad university
• Have high personal integrity
• Have good knowledge of both Swedish/Scandinavian and English languages
• Have an interest in and experience of co-operation with the surrounding society

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor must have the ability to:

• Work with work environment, equality, and diversity issues
• Engage, motivate, and collaborate with employees and students
• Promote and manage the university’s interests regionally, nationally, and internationally

Conditions 

The assignment applies for the period from 1 July 2025 (or as agreed) to 30 June 2031, with an extent as agreed with the Vice-Chancellor.

Applicants must be professors with a permanent position at Umeå University.

The pro-rector has their primary employment at a department or unit during the assignment.