Three strategic appointments strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness

News

19 January 2026

The Knowledge Foundation is funding three projects within the new programme Capacity building. Through investments totalling SEK 3.7 million, the initiative strengthens the research capacity of Swedish universities while giving industry improved access to cutting‑edge expertise.

The Capacity building programme was launched in 2025 to strengthen Swedish universities’ ability to attract international visiting researchers and adjunct key expertise. Its purpose is to boost researcher mobility and foster new collaborative partnerships.

Sustainable timber engineering

One of the funded projects is being carried out at Linnaeus University and focuses on strengthening research in timber engineering. Timber is increasingly used in multi-story buildings and in special structures such as wind‑turbine towers, but its long‑term performance still poses challenges. To advance the field, the university is recruiting Doctor Andre R. Barbosa from Oregon State University, an international expert in structural dynamics and timber engineering.

Project leader Carmen Amaddeo highlights the importance of the recruitment:

" By appointing Dr. Andre R. Barbosa, we aim to strengthen the university’s research and education in sustainable and competitive timber structures. His expertise and global network will directly support the research center and reinforce the department’s research profile in the field of competitive timber structures.

Carmen Amaddeo

Senior lecturer at the Department of Building Technology, Linnaeus University

Barbosa will work on developing advanced models that improve understanding of how timber structures behave under conditions such as vibrations, fatigue and moisture. By combining experimental data with digital twins, the project aims to deliver more reliable analyses and better decision‑making tools for industry. The recruitment also strengthens the university’s international collaborations.

" I was attracted to this position because of the strong research environment in Sweden and the opportunity to collaborate with a group that combines methodological rigor with a clear focus on real-world impact in Timber. The institution’s expertise aligns closely with my own research interests, and the collaborative culture in Swedish academia and industry makes it an ideal setting for knowledge exchange.

Andre R. Barbosa

Professor in Structural Engineering at Oregon State University

The project is carried out in close collaboration with industrial partners including Modvion, Dewesoft, Södra and Skanska, ensuring that the results are relevant and applicable in practice.

“I am particularly motivated by the opportunity to learn from different research perspectives, strengthening international collaborations, and contribute to ongoing work that has both scientific and societal relevance in Sweden and beyond”, Barbosa concludes.

AI and robotics

Linnaeus University is also recruiting an international visiting researcher to strengthen its research environments in computer science and informatics. The work focuses on robotics, tactile sensing and artificial intelligence (AI), with applications in reliable industrial systems developed in close cooperation with Swedish industry.

Tourism innovation

The third project is awarded to Dalarna University, which receives funding to appoint an adjunct researcher to The Royal Djurgården Society – a membership organisation representing more than 60 hotels, restaurants, museums and other visitor‑industry actors. By bringing research expertise closer to the sector, the project aims to support innovation, research and destination development.

Next decision round

The three approved projects are the first to be awarded in the autumn application rounds for the Capacity building programme. Applications from the second round will be decided in March.

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