Vacant job

Department of Forest Ecology and Management

Ongoing climate change and land-use impose severe pressures on boreal freshwater ecosystems, especially the smallest streams. In Sweden, extreme drought events and floods are increasingly common. At the same time, millions of kilometers of small waterways are under pressure from forest management. These anthropogenic pressures give rise to multiple stressors (e.g., elevated temperature and sediments) that may interact with potentially complex outcomes for the biological communities and ecosystem functions of small waterways. Our limited understanding of such interactions hinders prediction of impacts on small forest streams and development of potential protection strategies. This project investigates the responses of freshwater communities and ecosystem functioning to disturbances caused by hydrological extremes and forestry pressures.

About the position

The postdoctoral fellow will be part of a large collaborative project AquaBioEx (Identifying, understanding and managing aquatic biodiversity in intensively managed forests and under an increasingly extreme climate) funded by Formas and supervised by principal investigators Associate Prof. Lenka Kuglerová and Prof. Brendan McKie. The main responsibility of the postdoctoral fellow is to investigate in both field and mesocosm studies how forest harvesting adjacent to streams affects freshwater organisms including macroinvertebrates, bacteria, and/or primary producers. In combination with the forestry pressures, the project also encompasses investigations of climate-driven hydrological extremes, including floods and droughts. The postdoctoral fellow will also work with different riparian buffer management practices and study whether buffers can mitigate the impacts of hydrological extremes. The study sites are already established across Sweden, and experimental facilities, including fluvial mesocosms and dam infrastructure, are available in the Krycklan catchment at Svartberget field station.

Your profile

We seek a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher who has a strong interest in stream and riparian systems, including understanding the resilience of these systems to disturbances. The candidate should have a PhD in ecology, ideally with specialization in freshwater ecology, limnology, or a similar field. We especially seek candidates with relevant experience with the sampling and analysis of freshwater biodiversity, while skills in quantifying ecosystem processes (e.g., litter decomposition, ecosystem metabolism, algal biomass accrual), and/or identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates are also highly desirable. Well-developed abilities in statistical analysis using R would be considered highly meritorious, as would knowledge of DNA metabarcoding and forestry management practices and their impacts. Candidates must be able to provide evidence of their capacity to work independently and write well in English, and have a record of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Evidence of successful participation in team projects is highly desirable. A valid driver’s license is required.

As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is a maximum of three years at the end of the application period.

About us

The department of Forest Ecology and Management includes about 115 people, of which 9 are professors. Our mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystems and how these should be managed today and in the future. For more information: http://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-management/ (http://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-management/)

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/ (https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/)

Location:

Umeå

Form of employment:

Temporary employment 24 months

Scope:

100%

Start date:

April 1 2025 or according to agreement.

Application:

Please submit your application before the deadline 14 February 2025. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Your application should be written in English and contain: 1. A cover letter (max 1 page) and a research statement incl CV describing your qualifications (max 3 pages) 2. Contact details of 2 references. 3. PhD diploma.

Union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/ (https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/)

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals, and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala; however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests, and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students, and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterized by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity, and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.