Vacant job

Faculty of Forest Sciences

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology is part of the Umeå Plant Science Centre (http://www.upsc.se). The Umeå Plant Science Centre is one of Europe's leading research centers in experimental plant research. Approximately 200 people work within UPSC, including 30 research leaders. Our main activity is academic research in experimental plant biology, with the aim of understanding all aspects of plants in relation to the environment in which they live.

Read more about the department at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/skoglig-genetik-vaxtfysiologi/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/skoglig-genetik-vaxtfysiologi/).

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

Subject Description

The subject of the appointment is plant physiology with a focus on RNA biology, primarily in trees.

Responsibilities

The incumbent shall be responsible for the development of research within the subject's focus in collaboration with the faculty's and university's other researchers. The incumbent shall also contribute to the pedagogical development within the subject.

The research shall cover both basic and applied questions relevant to the subject area and utilize the research infrastructure associated with UPSC. Genomics and so-called 'omics technologies' shall be central to the research.

This means that the incumbent shall:

• act in accordance with SLU's vision, goals, and values
• contribute to the strategic development of the department, faculty, and SLU
• develop and lead internationally outstanding research in the subject of plant physiology with a focus on RNA biology, primarily in trees
• publish scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals
• apply for external research funding at national and international levels
• supervise doctoral students and act as a mentor for postdocs
• develop, lead, and participate in teaching at undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels
• collaborate with researchers within the department, faculty, and other parts of SLU, as well as nationally and internationally
• collaborate and further develop networks with the surrounding society regionally, nationally, and internationally
• communicate research results
• perform administrative tasks within the department, faculty, and university, which includes responsibility for budget and personnel

The department has a bilingual work environment. The incumbent will be able to perform most of their duties in English. As a public authority, the university has Swedish as its main language according to the language law requirements. At SLU, non-Swedish-speaking staff are expected to have such knowledge of Swedish within four years from being employed that they can access information in Swedish. The department will support the incumbent in achieving this.

Qualifications

The applicant must meet the following qualification requirements:

• hold a doctoral degree in a subject relevant to the position
• be scientifically skilled in genomics and RNA biology
• be pedagogically skilled
• have demonstrated leadership skills
• have good knowledge of English

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria for employment shall primarily be the degree of such skill that is a requirement for qualification for employment.

In assessing scientific skill, the following will be considered:

• completed research efforts and ongoing research within the subject
• previous experience in genomics and RNA biology
• future visions for research within the subject
• ability to independently initiate and conduct outstanding research within the subject
• ability to obtain external research funding competitively
• ability to supervise and examine doctoral students and act as a mentor for postdocs

In assessing pedagogical skill, the ability to:

• plan, conduct, and evaluate own teaching at all levels
• supervise and examine students at undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels
• convey and implement one's pedagogical vision
• integrate current research and scientific approach into pedagogical work

Furthermore, the following will be considered:

• ability to develop and lead operations and personnel within academia
• leadership vision
• collaborative ability
• ability to collaborate with external stakeholders and the surrounding society
• communicate research results and development work

The appointment is offered to the person who, after a qualitative overall assessment, is judged to have the best conditions to carry out and develop current responsibilities and contribute to a positive development of the operations.

Job Information

Last application date: 2026-08-19

Location: Umeå

Extent: 100%

Type of employment: Permanent

Start date: By agreement

Application

It is desirable that the application is written in English, as the applications will be assessed by experts both in Sweden and abroad.

For guidance in your application, see SLU's Employment Regulations for Teachers at SLU and General Assessment Criteria for Employment of Teachers, which you can find here: https://internt.slu.se/stod-service/admin-stod/hr-fragor/rekrytering-till_alla_ovriga_anstallningar/anstallning-av-larare/ (https://internt.slu.se/stod-service/admin-stod/hr-fragor/rekrytering-till_alla_ovriga_anstallningar/anstallning-av-larare/)

Welcome to submit your application via the application button below.

Trade Union Representatives

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 the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main campuses are in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but operations are also conducted at research stations, trial parks, and educational sites throughout the country. SLU has over 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students, and a turnover of over 4.5 billion SEK. The university invests in attractive environments on its campus areas. We work for an equal and inclusive work environment where open dialogue between people with different experiences lays the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.