We are announcing a postdoctoral position in terrestrial ecology/riparian ecology to join a project focused on improving approaches to conserve riparian biodiversity and function. The employment is on fulltime for two years. The deadline for applications is 10 June 2023 and the position is expected to start in November 2023, or according to agreement. Welcome with your application!

Project description

Europe has committed to upscale nature protection to include 30% of land and sea, but due to historical overexploitation of natural assets, the area that is available for protection is limited. Borders between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, i.e., riparian zones, contribute disproportionately to regional biodiversity and delivery of ecosystem functions and services. Because of this and their branching geometry, riparian networks form systems of ‘green-blue arteries’, which spatially connect multiple ecosystems, despite representing relatively small areas. In this international project (RIPARIANET), we aim to develop approaches that optimise the spatial conservation prioritisation of stream-riparian networks, by investigating a range of riparian processes and functions and biodiversity measures, and by performing field studies as well as by using remote sensing information.

The Postdoc will collaborate with a research team that includes Micael Jonsson (Umeå University), but also an EU-wide consortium of researchers from Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain that comprise the RIPARIANET project. Depending on the applicant’s interests and expertise, they will have the freedom to focus on various aspects of the broader RIPARIANET project, including riparian biodiversity and ecosystem processes and the catchment-scale spatial configuration of areas that are important for these. There will also be opportunities to visit, and work at, other study sites within the consortium. This is a two-year position funded through the Biodiversa program, which is locally administered by Formas.

Qualifications

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

The successful candidate should have a PhD in ecology, terrestrial ecology, or a closely related field. Experience with fieldwork in terrestrial ecosystems is a requirement. We seek a creative and highly motivated individual who manages to plan the work independently but also enjoys work together with colleagues in a group. Good verbal and written communication skills in English is a requirement. Applicants should hold a current driver’s license. Experience working with bird or bat biology, and spatial ecology is meriting.

How to apply

The application should contain the following, written in English (preferably) or Swedish:

A personal cover letter motivating your application and how you can contribute to the research group (max two pages),
CV including list of publications,
Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
Certified copies of existing diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
Copy of doctoral thesis and copies of relevant publications (no more than three),
Contact information for two reference persons,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

The closing date is 10 June 2023.

Contact

Any additional questions about the project or application should be directed to Micael Jonsson, Umeå University (micael.jonsson@umu.se).

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science carries out research and postgraduate education in ecology, environmental science and physical geography. The department has about 160 employees, about 20 of whom are post-docs. For more information, visit: https://www2.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/