Senior Finance Officer

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. 

Come and build the future of Science with us! 

About the role

ESS is now in search of a Finance Officer for our Finance Group, organised within the Finance and Business Control Division, in the Administration Directorate. The division is a crucial part of ESS and oversees financial activities, reporting, financial compliance and creation of value for the organisation. These responsibilities help ESS to meet compliance obligations as well as contributing to financial analysis whilst following laws and regulations.

The Finance Group currently consists of six staff members, and the main responsibility for the group is to ensure high quality of the General Ledger in interest of management, our member countries, and other external stakeholders.

The key tasks and responsibilities for our new Senior Financial Officer will include: 


• Reconciliation of General Ledger and responsibility for specific accounts.
• Preparing supporting documentation for the monthly closing.
• Recording of current accounting.
• Responsibility for accounts connected to EU grants, contributions and In-Kind.
Responsibility for updating the financial manual.
• Supporting the monthly and yearly closing process.
• Providing support with accounting expertise.

This is a permanent, full-time position placed in Lund, Sweden, and we need someone who can start as soon as practically possible. Probationary period six months.

About you

To be successful in this position we believe that you have training in business administration, finance administration, accounting or other similar area that we deem relevant for the position. In addition, you have several years solid and extensive experience from all, or the majority, of the tasks listed under About the role.

It is a requirement that you know and have professional experience with Swedish GAAP. It is an advantage if you have experience from working in Unit4 or a similar ERP system. You are also proficient in Excel, Powerpoint etc. Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement as it is the working language at ESS. Knowledge in Swedish is an advantage. 

It is useful if you have experience from a facility similar to ESS, and from working in an international context.

As a person you take initiative, for example in reaching out to internal stakeholders, such as staff members of other groups and divisions within ESS. You are a curious person who enjoys asking questions, making new suggestions, and taking an interest in complex matters. You also enjoy conveying your knowledge on finance-related matters to non-finance staff. We have a dynamic workplace where not all days are the same, and you will continuously learn and develop, so this should be something you would also be comfortable with.

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 neutron science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, innovative and stimulating work environment.
• 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.
• Focus on work-life balance.
• Preventative healthcare benefit.

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 note that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website. The last day to apply is 4 October, 2024. 

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks and/or security clearance procedures, which will be performed as part of the recruitment process. 

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

For further information regarding the position, please contact hiring manager Maja Jensen at maja.jensen@ess.eu 

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Mikael Johansson at mikael.johansson@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!