Senior lecturer/Associate Professor* in Food Biotechnology

Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences

Department of Molecular Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is a world-class university in the bio- and environmental sciences, with a vision to play a key role in advancing sustainable living through science and education. SLU offers an attractive research environment distinguished by its uniquely broad and internationally leading research, with excellent opportunities for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration with research groups in the social sciences, economics, engineering, and other natural sciences.

The Department of Molecular Sciences at SLU Uppsala is seeking an Associate Professor (University Senior Lecturer) in Food Biotechnology. The department currently comprises approximately 90 staff members and, together with three other departments, forms an inspiring research environment at BioCentrum. It encompasses several interacting disciplines, including food science, biotechnology, microbiology, inorganic, physical and organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular structural biology, and natural products chemistry. Research at the department focuses on both applied and fundamental biological and chemical processes.

The department also collaborates with industrial partners in developing innovations of importance for the transition toward a sustainable society. The Food Biotechnology research area conducts research and education in sustainable food and feed production, circular economy, and the fundamental physiology and genetics of microorganisms, serving as a foundation for establishing new biotechnological processes for food and other biochemicals. Research within this field covers both traditional fermented foods and the introduction of novel raw materials into the food chain. Methods employed include applied microbiology, advanced microbial physiology, fermentation technology, and downstream processing of microbial biomass, with a particular—though not exclusive—focus on yeasts, other microscopic fungi, and microbial consortia.

The department is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including modern fermentation equipment, food-grade laboratories, omics platforms, plant cultivation facilities, advanced microscopy and molecular biology facilities, as well as spectroscopy resources, including NMR spectroscopy. The department also participates in the national initiative SwedNMR.

Teaching within the department covers chemistry, food science, and microbiology at both undergraduate and advanced levels across degree programmes leading to, among others, agronomy, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

The department fosters an environment that actively encourages research collaborations with other departments within SLU, as well as with national and international partners.

More information about the department’s activities and infrastructure is available here.

More information about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU is available here.

Subject area

The subject area encompasses food biotechnology, with a focus on the conversion of raw materials into food products primarily through the metabolic activity of microorganisms.

Duties

The candidate should within the subject area

• develop and lead internationally successful research
• develop, lead and participate in teaching at first, second and third cycle level
• primarily teach in the areas of food science, microbiology, and biotechnology, as well as contribute to other teaching activities at first, second and third cycle level
• supervise doctoral students and contribute to the development of the postgraduate subjects biology and food science
• 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
• perform administrative duties within the department, faculty and university.

The department operates in a parallel-language working environment. The Senior Lecturer will be able to perform most of their duties in English. However, as a public authority, the university is required under the Language Act to use Swedish as its principal language, and the appointee is therefore expected to acquire sufficient proficiency in Swedish to communicate effectively within four years of taking up the position. The department will provide support to enable the appointee to achieve this.

Eligibility

The applicant must meet the following qualification requirements:

• research expertise in the subject area
• teaching expertise and ability to integrate research and a scientific approach into teaching
• excellent proficiency in 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 successful/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
• ability to integrate research and a scientific approach in teaching
• 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
• Genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches to perform advanced research in microbial physiology. 

It is considered to be of merit if the applicant has good knowledge in Swedish.

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.

 Additional information

* Swedish “universitetslektor”, a tenured position approximately equivalent to senior lecturer (UK) or associate professor (US). The applicant who is offered this employment at SLU will be employed as senior lecturer.

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 deadline:

2026-08-03

Place of work:

Uppsala

Extent:

100%

Form of employment:

Permanent employment

Starting date:

By agreement.

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/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

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.