Professor in terrestrial ecosystem ecology

Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Science

Department of Ecology

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is one of the largest centers for ecological research in the Nordic region and offers a dynamic and excellent research environment with a modern infrastructure. The Department of Ecology has approximately 150 employees and is co-located with the Department of Plant Production Ecology within the SLU Ecology Center. The SLU Ecology Center is a Nordic and European hub for sustainable agriculture and forestry, plant protection, nature conservation, wildlife management and honeybee health and is part of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (NJ), which conducts research, education and environmental analysis in agriculture and aquatic environments in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Department of Ecology conducts research, education and environmental analysis in terrestrial ecology with a focus on the dynamics of populations, communities of organisms and ecosystems in response to agriculture and forestry and climate change. The research also includes interdisciplinary approaches. Fundamental and applied questions are often addressed together in both individual projects and larger international collaborations. The department is responsible for courses in 14 of SLU's educational programs, e.g. the agronomy programs, the bachelor's program in biology and environmental science, the master's program in sustainable development, the landscape architecture and landscape engineering program, and the master's program in environmental and water engineering. Available infrastructure includes cultivation facilities, long-term field trials, national biotope monitoring, a molecular laboratory, and access to the national infrastructure SciLifeLab and  NAISS.

Read more about the department here.

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU here.

Subject area

The subject area covers integrated studies of biotic and abiotic components in terrestrial ecosystems, especially modeling of ecological processes that drive the flows and storage of carbon and nutrients.

Duties

The holder shall be responsible for the development of research and education in the subject of terrestrial ecosystem ecology in collaboration with the faculty and the university's other researchers and teachers. Furthermore, the holder shall, within the subject of the appointment

• develop and lead externally funded research
• conduct basic research with potential for practical applications
• develop, strategically lead and participate in teaching at first, second and third cycle level
• supervise doctoral students
• develop and maintain new national and international networks with academia, relevant public authorities, industry, organisations and society at large
• contribute to the department's and faculty's administrative tasks and SLU's strategic development
• collaborate with other research groups within SLU to strengthen the university's interdisciplinary research
• communicate research results and other relevant subject information to the society at large. 

The professor shall lead a research group, which may include administrative tasks such as budget and personnel responsibility. 

The department has a parallel language work environment. The professor will be able to perform most of his/her tasks in English. As an authority, the university has Swedish as its main language according to the requirements of the Language Act and the holder is expected to be able to communicate in Swedish within four years of taking up the position. The department will provide support with language learning.

Eligibility

The applicant must meet the following qualification requirements:

• a doctoral degree and the qualifications required for appointment as associate professor (docent) or equivalent
• research expertise in the subject area
• the ability to lead and develop a successful research team
• the ability to competitively obtain external research funding
• pedagogical skills and the 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 research efforts and ongoing research
• ability to independently initiate and conduct outstanding research within the subject
• ability to obtain external research funds in competition
• ability on planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching, education and research
• supervision and examination at the doctoral level and students at second cycle level
• the ability to convey and apply a clear pedagogical vision. 

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

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

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/

Application:

For the guidance of your application, there is SLU's appointment procedure for teachers at SLU and General assessment criteria for the appointment of teachers, which you can read here.

Please apply by clicking the apply-button below.

Academic 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 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 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.