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Gothenburg University meets society's challenges with diverse knowledge. With 58,000 students and 6,800 employees, the university is a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education attract researchers and students from all over the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, Gothenburg University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Cultural Heritage at the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology at Gothenburg University offers professional preparatory education and conducts research focusing on cultural heritage issues, landscapes and cultural environments, buildings, gardens, cultural-historical objects, and interiors. In Gothenburg, building antiquarians and conservators are educated. In Mariestad, builders, gardeners, and landscape caretakers are educated. For further information about the department, see: https://www.gu.se/kulturvard (https://www.gu.se/kulturvard)

Subject Description

A researcher in aquaculture and circular bioeconomy is sought for the Department of Cultural Heritage. The position focuses on technical innovation in sustainable food systems encompassing aquaculture, aquaponics, and shellfish farming.

The role involves leading research within various projects related to the blue economy and circular food bioeconomy. Competence in the biological, technical, and economic aspects of production is required.

Given the central importance of microorganisms in food production, microbiology is a key part of the position. The researcher will contribute microbiological expertise in:

• hatchery operations for shellfish
• aquaponics
• controlled cultivation systems

The work includes analyses of microbial communities (amplicon-based profiling) and longitudinal monitoring of the microbiome, where changes are tracked before and after treatments.

The position further requires the ability to analyze data on the structure of microbial communities to understand bottlenecks and limitations in production systems, particularly in hatcheries or recirculating aquaculture systems.

The role connects microbial processes, process models, and economic models to assess functionality and suitability in production systems.

Subject Areas: circular bioeconomy, sustainable food production, aquaculture and aquaponics, process technology, economic modeling, resource recovery, and blue economy

Job Responsibilities

The researcher will:

• lead research activities within funded projects in shellfish farming, aquaponics, and circular food systems
• coordinate research and develop innovative bioengineering solutions
• use process and economic models to assess feasibility and scalability
• link technical performance to production constraints and business conditions

The work also involves:

• collaboration with industry, academia, and the public sector
• authoring scientific publications
• reporting to funders
• participating in collaboration and project activities

The position is located at the Department of Cultural Heritage, Gothenburg University. The researcher will work in an interdisciplinary research group focused on sustainable food production through aquaculture, aquaponics, shellfish farming, and circular resource use.

The operations include both research and pilot-scale systems in Sweden and internationally, with a focus on translating scientific results into economically sustainable models.

Travel occurs, for example, for conferences and work meetings.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD in marine science, biotechnology, environmental technology, agricultural economics, bioengineering, or a related field
• At least three years of postdoctoral experience

Essential Qualifications:

• Experience in applied research within aquaculture, aquaponics, or circular food systems
• In-depth knowledge of circular food production from a process and economic perspective
• Experience in process modeling or techno-economic analysis
• Strong analytical skills and experience with statistical software (e.g., R)
• Scientific publications in relevant areas

Desirable:

• Experience with microbiome analyses or microbial monitoring
• Knowledge of aquaculture systems, aquaponics, or controlled plant production
• Experience with pilot plants, industrial collaborations, or international projects
• Experience with projects within Horizon Europe, Formas, or similar

Employment

Type of Employment: permanent, full-time

Location: Department of Cultural Heritage, Gothenburg University

Start Date: August 7, 2026 (or by agreement)

Contact Information

If you have questions about the position, please contact Dr. Alyssa Joyce, [email protected]

Trade Union Organizations

Trade union representatives at Gothenburg University can be found here: https://www.gu.se/jobba-hos-oss/sa-blir-du-en-av-oss#kollektivavtal-och-fackliga-foretradare (https://www.gu.se/jobba-hos-oss/sa-blir-du-en-av-oss#kollektivavtal-och-fackliga-foretradare)

Application

You apply for the position via Gothenburg University's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and is at the university's disposal by the final application date.

The application should include:

• CV and cover letter
• At least three first-authored scientific articles and doctoral thesis
• Contact details for three references
• Brief account of relevant experience in circular food production and bioeconomy

Application Deadline: 2026-06-14

The university works actively for a working environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the operations. The university applies individual salary setting. According to the National Archives' regulations, the university is obliged to keep application documents for two years after the appointment decision. If you, as an applicant, specifically request your documents back, they will be returned when the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be destroyed. To staffing and recruitment agencies and to you who are sellers: Gothenburg University uses a procured advertising agency in connection with the recruitment of staff. We kindly but firmly decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of job advertisements.