Research assistant

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies

We are looking for a research assistant at the Department of Wildlife, Fish & Environmental Studies (SLU, Umeå).

About the position

This position involves the quantification and identification of microplastics from the tissues of African fishes from Lake Tanganyika. The research assistant will work as part of an ongoing project assessing species variation among cichlids in microplastic uptake to understand the extent of plastic pollution in Lake Tanganyika. The research assistant will curate and analyze data generated from the project and write a manuscript based on the data to be submitted for publication.

Your profile

Applicants should have Master’s degree or equivalent within a relevant topic and be skilled at microplastics quantification and identification from fish tissues. The applicant must have specific experience with African cichlid fish ecology. Applicants should have experience in data management using Excel and R to conduct statistical analyses. Applicants with background knowledge in aquatic conservation will be prioritized. Proficiency in written and oral English is also a requirement.

About us

The Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies offers a creative, stimulating, and highly international environment and performs globally recognised research, education, and environmental monitoring in the research areas of animal ecology, aquatic ecology, molecular ecology, and restoration ecology (see Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies | slu.se https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/department-of-wildlife-fish-and-environmental-studies/). The department has many international employees and well-established national and international collaborations, which give opportunities for fruitful knowledge exchange.

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Location:

Umeå

Form of employment:

Temporary employment 3 months

Scope:

100%

Start date:

As agreed

Application:

Please submit your application before deadline 21 May 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

 

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction 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. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden. SLU has around 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.