Project Assistant in the Time of the Forest

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. There are approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity.

Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our activities.

Research and education at the Department of Environmental and Geological Sciences (MGeo) address fundamental and applied questions regarding the Earth's past, present, and future climate and environment, including human interaction with nature and its consequences for human well-being. MGeo develops and applies groundbreaking methods, models, and techniques in environmental science, Quaternary and bedrock geology, paleontology, human geography, biodiversity and ecosystem science, remote sensing, geographic information science (GIS), and computational science in environment and health to study processes ranging from the microscopic to the planetary, across all timescales.

Job Responsibilities

The forest contributes to human well-being in many ways.

To avoid overuse and unwanted ecosystem changes, the multifunctionality of the forest needs to be considered. The aim of the interdisciplinary project is to quantify and visualize how different adaptive management strategies can contribute to climate solutions and the achievement of environmental goals in the transition to a fossil-free society.

The Time of the Forest is a creative communication project that explores how different perceptions of time shape our relationship with the forest.

The starting point is three layers of time:

• economic time - where the forest is seen as a resource,
• cyclical time - which makes ecological rhythms and slow changes visible, and
• shared or relational time - which concerns human stories, traditions, and emotional bonds to the forest.

These perspectives are linked to three overarching forest functions: economic value, biodiversity, and human well-being. The project's design is based on three separate audio stories – one for each layer of time. The project assistant will coordinate contributions from the involved research groups and thus provide material for the audio stories.

As a project assistant in the Time of the Forest, you will play a central role in supporting the interdisciplinary team in carrying out the project's activities. Your tasks will include:

• Coordination of research contributions: Collecting, compiling, and structuring material from the project's various research groups, partners, or other relevant literature. This may involve scientific results, reports, and investigations, or place-based stories.
• Coordination and documentation within the project group: coordinating meetings, deadlines, and material deliveries.
• Contributing to the project's design: Being involved in how the research content is shaped into engaging stories – with the opportunity to contribute to script development, dramaturgy, and creative ideas. Practical assistance during workshops, fieldwork, and recordings.

Requirements:

• Applicants should have a master's degree in human geography and ecosystem science, or another relevant background
• Documented ability to synthesize scientific knowledge through a thesis
• Basic knowledge of forest ecology, the economic value of forests, biodiversity, and human well-being
• Very good understanding of Swedish

Other Qualifications:

• A background in both natural sciences and social sciences is an asset for working in an interdisciplinary context.
• Good knowledge of forest ecosystem services, climate benefits, and forest management alternatives

Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant is assessed to have the necessary capabilities to complete the tasks based on their experience and competence.

Conditions

This is a Special Fixed-Term Employment (SÄVA 5§ P1 LAS) for three months, as soon as possible but no later than April 1, 2026. The position is 70% of full-time.

Application Instructions

Applications should be written in Swedish. The application should include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project matches your interests and educational background. The application should also include a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of grades, references, recommendation letters, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in biology, astronomy, physics, geosciences, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science. The activities are conducted within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,900 students, 330 doctoral students, and 730 employees.

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