Be aware translation of academic positions can be a bit tricky. it does not necessarily come with all the connotations of a US associate prof.
We follow tenure-track=assistant, tenure=associate, but less competitve than CMU might be.
Entirely appropriate to contact Jonas Löwgren and discuss.

Not sure that goes for all Swedish universities (in both directions). I do see, in my small bubble, that there is attention for such matters.
And while there is of course some hierarchy, it is very common for professors not being the bosses. Can’t see that happen in Germany.