Latest news on organizational development at SLU Aqua

Latest update of this page: 2025-09-03.

The head of department assignment at SLU Aqua

Since July 1, 2025, Sara Bergek is the new Head of Department at the Department of Aquatic Resources at SLU. In connection with this, the previous division of responsibilities between Sara Bergek and Per-Olof Larsson has been adjusted.

Sara now holds the full head of department delegation and assumes main responsibility for HR as well as finance/contracts, areas that Per-Olof was responsible for during the spring.

Per-Olof continues as Deputy Head of Department as well as Assistant Head of Department and will during the autumn continue his work with infrastructure, lead the working group for the new organization at the Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil, and act as a contact person together with Sara in dialogues with central HR at SLU regarding the new travel time agreement.

Developments at the Institute of Marine Research

During the spring, the Institute of Marine Research received a new temporary management team. At the same time, an investigation was launched to find a more permanent solution.

The new management team consists of four people, with an acting head of division and three assistant heads of division taking over responsibility. In addition, a council with representatives from different areas of activity is being formed to support the management in pushing strategic issues forward.

Temporary management team

• Daniel Valentinsson - Acting head of division with direct personnel responsibility.
• Maria Hansson - Assistant/Deputy head of division with direct personnel responsibility.
• Andreas Wikström - Assistant head of division with direct personnel responsibility.
• Jessica Peterson - Assistant head of division (HR, Work Environment).

Read the latest head of department decision on the temporary leadership: Extension of Interim Management at the Institute of Marine Research Autumn Term 2025

Developments at the Institute of Freshwater Research

Recruitment of a new Head of Division is currently ongoing. Until then, the following applies:

• Johan Östergren is Acting Head of Division until 2025-12-31.
• Magnus Dahlberg is Deputy Head of Division until 2025-12-31.

New Head of Department at SLU Aqua – Summary

As of July 1, 2025, Sara Bergek is the new Head of Department at the Department of Aquatic Resources at SLU. The appointment is the result of an internal recruitment process where both employees and external candidates could be nominated. After interviews, a hearing, and an advisory vote, it became clear that Sara had strong support among the department’s staff. The decision was negotiated with the unions and approved on June 24, 2025.

Head of Department matters

All head of department matters and signings should be sent to the Head of Department mailbox: Aqua-Prefekt@slu.se

More information

We will continue to provide updates on the organizational development within SLU Aqua. These will be published on this page and during the department’s division meetings.