Vacant job

About SVA

Dangerous animal diseases can have serious consequences for animals, humans, the economy, and food security. The Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) is an expert and emergency preparedness agency that contributes to good animal health and reduced disease transmission between animals and humans through diagnostics, research, and expert knowledge. SVA is part of the emergency preparedness sector for Food Supply and Drinking Water. Healthy animals – secure people.

The position is located within the Department of Microbiology (MIK), which works in the public interest for healthy animals and humans. We achieve this by conducting diagnostics, contributing to SVA's role as a national and European reference laboratory, maintaining preparedness, and deepening existing knowledge while developing new insights into infectious diseases. We also adopt and adapt new technologies and diagnostics based on the needs of SVA and Sweden.

The Section for Plant Pests (VXT) is a newly formed section working to establish a national reference laboratory for quarantine pests – an expert function responsible for method standardization and quality control in plant pest diagnostics. The mandate includes establishing methods for diagnosing quarantine pests on plants, developing the infrastructure for these methods, and building knowledge within the plant sector.

Do you want to help build Sweden's National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for plant pests from the ground up – and join a great team? SVA is now seeking an entomologist for the Section for Plant Pests. Here you have a unique opportunity to combine laboratory work, method development, and socially important diagnostics in a rapidly developing organization.

Your Future Responsibilities

As an entomologist, you will among other things:

• establish and implement diagnostic methods for insects and mites according to international standards
• work with diagnostics of insects and mites classified as quarantine pests and provide national expert support
• participate in method validation, accreditation, and quality assurance work
• participate in the establishment of the National Reference Laboratory for plant pests together with a team of approximately eight people
• collaborate with other NRLs and EURLs in the field and contribute to international projects
• collaborate with other sections within the department's research and diagnostic activities

Once the laboratory is established, there will be opportunities to participate in research projects and method development. From the start, you will have international contacts within the EURL network for insects and mites and the opportunity to influence future standards for plant pest diagnostics.

Qualifications

We are looking for you who:

• Hold a PhD in biology with a focus on entomology, or alternatively have a master's degree or equivalent with several years of experience working with insects or mites classified as quarantine pests
• Have several years of experience and specialization in entomology, particularly in morphology, taxonomy, ecology, and/or systematics
• Have experience in method development and project work
• Speak and write fluent English. Ability to acquire Swedish to access information, routines, and other communication that occurs in Swedish at the workplace.

We place great emphasis on personal qualities. As a person, you are meticulous, team-oriented, and able to work independently. You thrive in a role where you contribute your specialist knowledge and collaborate with other experts in various areas of biology. The role requires you to be flexible and comfortable in a developing environment where tasks and priorities may change over time. You collaborate well with others, are solution-oriented, and actively contribute to the team's joint work and development.

Merits

It is an advantage if you have:

• experience working at or collaborating with NRLs, EURLs, or official laboratories.
• Knowledge in morphological and molecular diagnostics of insects or mites, laboratory setup, biosafety work, method validation, and accreditation. An established national or international network within entomology.

Conditions

• Application deadline: 2026-07-27
• Employment type: Permanent position at 100%. We apply a 6-month probation period.
• Start date: By agreement.
• Department: Department of Microbiology (MIK)

Location: Uppsala, with some possibility of remote work depending on operational needs.

We only accept applications here: https://sva.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:949034/ (https://sva.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:949034/)

Other Information

SVA is a government agency, which means that received documents become public. Applicants with protected identity should contact us directly and not apply via Varbi. Tests and work samples may be part of the recruitment process, and background checks may be conducted. Swedish citizens who are hired for permanent positions are mobilized for wartime service at the agency. For some positions, security clearance with register check is required according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585), and in some cases, Swedish citizenship.

In preparation for the recruitment process, SVA has taken a conscious active stance regarding recruitment channels and marketing. Therefore, we do not wish to be contacted by advertising sales representatives or recruitment agencies.

Grow and develop at SVA – send us your application!

SVA values a good balance between work and private life. As an employee, you will enjoy favorable holiday conditions (28–35 days), flexibility, fitness benefits during working hours, and access to a staff gym. You can also engage in our staff associations focused on sports, music, and dogs. Read more about our benefits here (#).