Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Analysis with a Focus on Hydroclimatic Extremes

Do you want to work on how hydroclimatic extremes and their impact on aquatic ecosystem services, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employment and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a postdoctoral position in environmental analysis at Uppsala University.

The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's largest and most versatile institution of its kind, with a unique breadth and approximately 300 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural sciences and engineering with social sciences. We have research programs in air, water, and landscape sciences; geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; mineralogy, petrology, and tectonics; paleobiology, and wind energy. By studying the Earth's history, we understand how the planet has developed and how our pursuit of sustainable development can benefit from this knowledge. Read more at: Department of Earth Sciences (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher in environmental analysis within the program for Air, Water, and Landscape Sciences (LUVAL) who wants to complement our team and work with us on the European project “REACTION - Navigating the Risks of Hydroclimatic Extremes for Freshwater Ecosystem Services in Forest Landscapes” funded by the Water4All partnership. The project is an international collaboration with partners in Finland, Spain, Slovakia, and Austria, highlighting the risks that hydroclimatic extremes (such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cloudbursts) pose to freshwater-related ecosystem services in forest landscapes.

Job Responsibilities

You will develop and apply probabilistic risk models for freshwater ecosystem services, where hazard, exposure, and vulnerability indices are integrated into composite risk indices. The work includes quantitative analysis, mapping, and visualization of current and future risk patterns in the project's case study areas, including the use of GIS and related tools. Within this framework, you are expected to contribute to the development, harmonization, and analysis of indicators for exposure and vulnerability, as well as participate in the creation of common datasets and map products in close collaboration with the project's partners.

Your responsibilities will include writing scientific publications, presenting results at scientific conferences and project meetings within the EU, and collaborating with international research and practice partners within the REACTION consortium. The consortium includes experts in hydrology, risk assessment, remote sensing, modeling, ecosystem services, and management from Sweden, Finland, Spain, Slovakia, and Austria. Some involvement in supervising students and other group activities may occur.

Through your work, you will contribute spatially explicit analyses of current and future hydroclimatic risks for ecosystem services, thereby laying the foundation for developing management and restoration strategies that reduce the vulnerability of ecosystem services and the risks posed by hydroclimatic extremes.

Qualifications

A PhD in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or related disciplines, or a foreign degree assessed to be equivalent to a PhD in the mentioned subjects. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Primarily, candidates who have completed their degree within the last three years will be considered. When calculating the three-year period, the last application date is the starting point. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, or trust assignments within trade unions, etc.

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in research, who enjoys developing and testing new ideas, and is driven, independent, and proactive. You have excellent skills in both spoken and written English. You have documented experience working with climate change or extreme hydroclimatic events. Furthermore, you have experience in quantitative modeling and scientific programming, such as in Matlab, R, or Python, as well as GIS and spatial analysis/mapping. Experience in data management and data processing, particularly related to climate models, environmental data, or statistics is required. Since the work is carried out in close collaboration with international research environments, good collaborative skills are essential.

Desirable/meritorious

Work experience with biodiversity, aquatic ecosystems, and their services is an advantage. We also value experience working with the IPCC risk framework and analysis of risk factors such as natural hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. Oral skills in Swedish are also meritorious but not mandatory. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

About the Employment

The position is temporary for 2 years according to the central collective agreement. The scope is full-time. Start date 2026-03-01 or by agreement. Location: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Claudia Teutschbein, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

In this recruitment, we have replaced the personal letter with questions that you will answer in connection with your application. The answers will be used as part of the selection process.

Welcome with your application by January 12, 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3921.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/).

The employment may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment during security clearance is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Seko - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), ST (OFR/S) - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])