Department of Forest Resource Management

Do you want to contribute to monitoring our important pollinators while enjoying a summer filled with nature experiences? SLU is looking for surveyors for the butterfly and bumblebee inventory (FHIN). This is conducted by us on behalf of the Swedish Board of Agriculture to monitor our pollinators and quality changes in their habitats, with approximately 8 people working in the field each season.

We are looking for someone who is responsible, knowledgeable about species, and enjoys working in agricultural landscapes. Our surveyors are often young academics with a strong interest in nature who appreciate working independently in the field within clear methodological frameworks. The job also involves interacting with landowners and other curious individuals in a pleasant and informative manner.

Read more about what it's like to work as a research assistant: Field Surveyor, a prerequisite for our inventories (https://www.slu.se/srh).

About the Job

As a surveyor, you will work alone in the field but will always have support from colleagues and field supervisors via phone. You will survey butterflies and bumblebees along predetermined lines in meadows and pastures across the country. The work is weather-dependent and requires flexibility, good planning skills, and confidence in making decisions independently.

The fieldwork begins with a three-day training session outside Linköping, tentatively the last week of April. In June, a two-day course focusing on bumblebees and field identification will be held. The season runs from early May to early or mid-August.

Surveyors are employed at 50 percent throughout the period from May to August. You will receive a guaranteed salary equivalent to 50 percent of full-time each month. All working hours that exceed this level are recorded and compensated after the season ends. Allowances and travel expenses are additional.

Accommodation and Travel

The job involves travel across the country, and you need to be prepared to stay away for extended periods. Common forms of accommodation include campsites, hostels, and hotels; some surveyors choose to camp outdoors. Travel and travel time are compensated by the employer, but you will plan what suits you best.

Who Are We Looking For

To work with this, you should have:

• good knowledge of butterfly and bumblebee species
• a valid driver's license and experience driving safely
• good physical condition and field experience, and enjoy being outdoors in sunny weather
• the ability to live and work for extended periods in another location
• good knowledge of Swedish to interpret texts and express yourself well in speech and writing

You are suitable for the job if you:

• have a genuine interest in species
• are responsible and confident in working independently in the field
• interact with landowners and the public in a friendly and professional manner
• are not afraid of cattle and horses, as the work takes place in pastures

This is an opportunity to combine your interest in nature with meaningful work. You will gain a unique summer experience, freedom in the field, and the chance to contribute to important knowledge about our pollinators.

About Us

The Department of Forest Resource Management conducts education and research in the areas of forest planning, remote sensing in forestry, forest inventory and sampling, forest mathematical statistics, and landscape studies. The department is also responsible for implementing ongoing environmental analysis programs such as the National Forest Inventory, National Targeted Forest Damage Inventory, National Inventories of Landscapes in Sweden, Terrestrial Habitat Monitoring, and the Butterfly and Bumblebee Inventory. The work combines research and environmental analysis in interdisciplinary projects, providing unique opportunities to develop holistic concepts for sustainable use of natural resources. We have about 110 employees and an additional 90 seasonal employees during the summer in our field inventories. More information can be found at www.slu.se/srh (https://www.slu.se/srh). Read more about what it's like to work as a research assistant: Field Surveyor, a prerequisite for our inventories (https://www.slu.se/srh).

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/)

Location:

No permanent stationing location

Employment Type:

Seasonal employment

Extent:

50%. All working hours that exceed this level are recorded and compensated after the season ends.

Start Date:

Tentatively April 27, 2026

Application:

Welcome with your application via the application button below by 2025-02-19.

Union Contacts:

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/ (https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) plays a key role in the development of sustainable living, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems, and responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main locations are Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but operations are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational locations throughout the country.

SLU has over 4000 employees, 6000 students and doctoral candidates, and a turnover of over 4.5 billion SEK. The university invests in attractive environments on its campuses. We strive for an equal and inclusive work environment where open conversations between people with different experiences lay the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.