‒ I am a polar researcher at heart and have had the privilege of working with permafrost research in Abisko for over two decades. During my time at Lund University and through my work with EU projects such as INTERACT, I have gained a broad insight into how research stations can be developed to meet both scientific and practical challenges, says Margareta Johansson.

As Head of Department, Margareta Johansson leads the Land-Based Research Support. She is responsible for operating and developing the research stations, supporting visiting researchers and representing the Polar Research Secretariat in various contexts.

‒ My job is to create, together with my colleagues, the best conditions for research in the polar regions. It's about ensuring the stations are well-functioning and safe, but also about contributing to international collaborations that drive polar research forward, says Margareta Johansson.

The love for Abisko and the cryosphere

Abisko is a place dear to Margareta Johansson's heart. Her journey in polar research began in 1997 when she attended a summer course at the Tarfala research station. It was the starting point for a long career in research into the cryosphere – the world of frozen water. For the past 20 years, she has conducted her research in Abisko, but now she has taken the step to focus on supporting other researchers exploring the polar regions. Margareta Johansson had already worked at the Abisko science station in 2000 and then lived in Kiruna and Abisko for five years.

‒ I love Abisko. It still feels like coming home. It is a unique place with fantastic nature and an inspiring research environment. I look forward to continuing to develop the station with my competent colleagues and welcoming researchers from around the world here.

With a research background in permafrost, Margareta Johansson is passionate about her new assignment.

‒ I'm a permafrost geek at heart! I have researched permafrost for many years, but I have also worked with glaciers and snow in the Arctic, and I am fascinated by all the cold and frozen elements. Working with something so close to my research is a fantastic opportunity.

New opportunities and challenges

The new job also entails new challenges, but it is something Margareta looks forward to with enthusiasm.

‒ It's a fun and varied job. I hope to contribute to the research stations becoming even more efficient. Together, we can promote new knowledge about the polar regions, crucial to understanding a changing world. When I saw the ad for the position, I knew right away that it was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. Being able to combine my passion for the polar regions with my experiences with research infrastructure and doing it in an environment where I enjoy myself was an obvious choice.

When asked about something we might not know about her, she answers with a smile:

‒ I've been in a Norrlands Guld commercial, have a terrible fear of heights and almost always wake up happy in the morning!

We look forward to following Margareta Johansson in her new role and wish her a warm welcome back to Abisko!