Exchange that opens new doors
Through mobility programs, researchers and experts are given the opportunity to work in another organisation for a period of time. For Boel Wadman, Research Manager for Manufacturing and Production Transition at RISE, the experience became a decisive step that led to new collaborations and ideas.
-I wanted to try something new and became interested in the opportunity to work in another organisation. I was particularly interested in stainless steels, reached out to people in the field and received a positive response, says Boel Wadman.
During the exchange, she worked mainly at Outokumpu Stainless in Avesta. The mobility period also included work at Grundfos in Denmark as well as trials at Ohio State University in the United States. The focus was on developing guidelines for the selection of forming tools and processes for high-strength stainless steels — work that can contribute to reduced material use and more resource-efficient production.
-I gained valuable hands-on experience from industry while also producing research data on new materials that the companies wanted to evaluate. It was practical work with clear benefits for industry, she says.
The experience also provided a deeper understanding of industry needs and how research can be translated into practice. After the exchange, Boel went on to take responsibility for several testbed projects and continued collaborations with the organisations she had worked with.
-Working practically alongside people in other organisations provides a completely different understanding of what influences sustainability, working conditions and innovation. Close collaboration often leads to new ideas and solutions, she says.
Today, she sees mobility as an important driver of industrial transition.
-Take the opportunity! Talk to the organisation you want to collaborate with and develop a plan together. Working in a new environment can open doors to new perspectives as well as long-term partnerships, says Boel Wadman.
Current call offers the opportunity to work in a new organisation
Net Zero Industry currently has an open call that gives individuals with experience in research or advanced development work the opportunity to work in another organisation for a period of up to 6–12 months. The aim is to strengthen knowledge exchange between research organisations, companies and public actors, and to lay the foundation for new collaborations that can contribute to industry’s transition towards net-zero emissions.
Funding can be applied for to cover, for example, salary costs, travel and subsistence. The deadline for applications is 21 April 2026. Read more here.