Professor of Soil and Environmental Physics

Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences

Department of Soil and Environment

The Department of Soil and Environment is a nationally and internationally leading soil science center with approximately 100 employees. Our research focuses on understanding fundamental soil properties and processes, and how these interact with land use, management practices and climate. Through research, education and environmental assessment we contribute with knowledge about future sustainable land use and develop the basis for decision-making in agriculture, forestry and the urban environment. SLU and the Department offer an attractive research environment with unique breadth and many opportunities for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborations with research groups in other natural sciences, engineering and social sciences. Further, the department is part of SLU’s Soil-Water-Environment center (link).

At the department, there are currently seven research groups in the areas soil and environmental physics, soil biology, soil chemistry, soil nutrient cycling, soil mechanics and soil management, agricultural water management, and biogeochemistry of forest soils. We contribute to the education at first, second and third cycle levels. The department is responsible for ca. 30 courses within SLU's educational programs, e.g. the agronomy programs, the bachelor's program in biology and environmental science, the master's program Soil Water Environment, the landscape architecture and landscape engineering program, EnvEuro, and the master's program in environmental and water engineering.

We are looking for a chair professor who will lead a research group in the subject Soil and Environmental Physics. The research currently includes factors governing physical processes in soils, i.e. flows of energy, water, solutes and gases. The soil-plant-atmosphere system is studied in a physical context, mainly in connection to agricultural systems, with the aim to understand how soil physical properties interact with biotic and abiotic soil processes, and how these are influenced by land use and climate.

The department is responsible for several important research infrastructures including soil chemistry and soil physics laboratories, a X-ray scanner, a lysimeter facility, and provides access to long-term trials and field research stations in various parts of Sweden that offer opportunities for experimental research.

Read more about the department here.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU here.

Subject description

The subject area Soil and Environmental Physics deals with soil physical properties and processes in the context of the soil-plant-atmosphere system.

Duties

The candidate should within the subject area

• develop and lead internationally successful research
• develop, strategically lead and participate in teaching at first, second and third cycle level, primarily in soil physics and general soil science
• supervise doctoral students
• collaborate with other SLU research teams in order to strengthen interdisciplinary activities at the university
• develop and maintain national and international networks with academia, relevant public authorities, industry, organisations and society at large
• apply for external research funding
• contribute to the strategic development of the department, faculty and SLU
• communicate research findings and other relevant information to society at large

The professor is expected to lead a research group that currently links experimental work with process modelling of different parts of the soil system (physical, biological, chemical, etc.), and where soil physics is combined with other disciplines within ecosystem science. The assignment may include administrative tasks such as budget and personnel responsibility.

Swedish and English are used in parallel at the department. The professor should be able to perform the majority of their tasks in English. However, as a public authority, the university has Swedish as its main language according to the requirements of the Language Act and the professor must be able to use Swedish as their working language within four years of beginning the position. The department will provide support with language learning.

Eligibility

The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• PhD and the qualifications required for appointment as associate professor (docent) or equivalent
• research expertise in the subject area
• teaching expertise and ability to integrate research and a scientific approach into teaching
• good knowledge of English

Assessment criteria

In the assessment criteria for employment, the primary consideration should be the level of skill required for eligibility for the position. Assessment of the eligible applicant’s suitability for the employment will primarily be based on:

• completed and ongoing research in the subject area
• ability to independently initiate and conduct outstanding research
• ability to obtain external research funding in competition
• ability of planning, implementation, and examination, as well as evaluation of own teaching
• supervision and examination of doctoral students
• pedagogic vision and reflection

Furthermore, the assessment will consider the applicant’s expertise in:

• developing and leading activities and staff within academia
• collaborating with relevant stakeholders and society
• communicating research findings and development

It is considered to be of merit if the applicant has documented experience in linking experimental work with process modelling of different parts of the soil system (physical, biological, chemical etc.).

As much attention must be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research expertise. The position will be offered to the eligible candidate who, following a qualitative comprehensive assessment is deemed to have the best qualifications set to conduct and develop the duties in question, and contribute to the positive development of the organisation.

This position offers the vibrant research climate at SLU. The benefits of the position include Swedish family health care provisions, parenting support including generous paid leave of absence policies that allow both parents to care for newborns and toddlers. Additionally Sweden has a well-established pre-school structure as well as an educational system that provides no-cost education through university studies. Find out more facts and stories about Sweden at www.sweden.se Located in the greater Stockholm region, the city of Uppsala has a rich history and culture, and is a true academic and cultural hub. Find out more about moving, living and working here at https://internationalhub.uppsala.se/