The Board of Chalmers University of Technology has appointed Martin Nilsson Jacobi, currently CEO of the Chalmers Foundation, as the new president and CEO of the university. He succeeds Stefan Bengtsson, who has been president for eight years.
Jacobi has been the CEO of the Chalmers University of Technology Foundation since 2020. Based in Gothenburg, he is a professor of complex systems with a background in theoretical physics. He is 50 years old and publicly defended his doctoral thesis at Chalmers in 2000. Jacobi has held several leading positions in academia during his career. These include having been chairman of the Faculty Senate and Head of Department at Chalmers. He also has international research experience.
"I feel honoured and humbled to have been given this task and am grateful to have been entrusted with leading Chalmers’ further development towards international excellence," says Jacobi.
Wanting to contribute to the global transition
The Chalmers Group’s strategy states that Chalmers will be one of Europe’s leading universities by 2041, with the goal of combining scientific excellence with highly effective utilisation. The aim is to contribute to the transition required for sustainable global change.
"The ambitions are great, but I also have a deep understanding of Chalmers’ strengths and potential and I know what we are capable of achieving as a foundation university. I look forward to taking on the task alongside all employees (researchers, teachers and administrative staff at Chalmers), our students, companies and foundations within the Chalmers Group as well as our external partners," says Jacobi.
Torbjörn Holmström, chairman of the University Board, is pleased that the board has now made its decision on a new president:
"Martin Nilsson Jacobi will be an excellent leader for Chalmers; he has what it takes to advance Chalmers’ position as one of Europe’s most prestigious technical universities," says Holmström.
"Given his solid background in organisations such as the Chalmers Foundation, he will ensure both continuity and forward momentum for the good of the university."
When Jacobi takes over as the new president and CEO of Chalmers on 1 September, the University Board will also have a new chairman – Stefan Bengtsson, who has been president of Chalmers for the past eight years.
How the recruitment process was carried out
The recruitment process began in October 2022 when it became clear that Stefan Bengtsson would not be continuing as president and CEO after his appointment expires in the summer of 2024. Around 40 qualified candidates were nominated or expressed interest in the position that was advertised.
The Nomination Committee identified seven top candidates among the applicants (both internal and external), three of whom were women. The Electoral Assembly was informed of the Nomination Committee’s opinion at a meeting on 7 June, and an internal hearing was held with Jacobi on 8 June.
The Electoral Assembly’s explanatory statement reads: ‘The Electoral Assembly has great confidence in the work of the Nomination Committee. Following today’s hearing, the Electoral Assembly supports with acclamation the Nomination Committee’s proposal to the Board to appoint Martin Nilsson Jacobi as the new president and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology.’
The election of the new president and CEO of Chalmers was confirmed shortly afterwards by the University Board. The Electoral Assembly has an advisory role and consists of the Chalmers Faculty Senate, the Student Union management and trade union representatives.
- Head of Unit, Communications division, Chalmers Operations Support