OPPORTUNITY: Full Professor in Aquatic Ecology

Do you want to be involved in developing research and environmental analysis in freshwater ecology? Limnic ecosystems are a valuable resource for society while the biodiversity in them is strongly threatened by human pressures e.g. climate change, environmental pollution and habitat fragmentation. Therefore, it is increasingly important to develop knowledge about the biodiversity and ecology of aquatic organisms. This knowledge is critical for decision makers seeking to achieve national and international environmental goals. 

The position is in the inspiring research environment of the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment. The Department has a national mission to monitor and assess the environmental condition of lakes and watercourses. We are organized into groups focusing on aquatic ecology and biodiversity, functional microbial ecology, geochemical and hydrological processes, as well as aquatic environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology. Together with our neighbouring departments Aquatic Resources, and Ecology, we have expertise in the entire limnic ecosystem.

Through our research, education and environmental analysis, we develop knowledge about how the freshwater environment is changing and what the changes are due to. Analyses are carried out in our own certified laboratories, in combination with our research laboratories for more specific analyses. We also have a strong connection to research infrastructures such as SITES, Integrated Monitoring and eLTER. Within education, we are responsible for courses in environmental assessment, freshwater biodiversity, models for sustainable water management, as well as two environmentally oriented courses for civil engineers. We also provide a postgraduate course in multivariate statistics for ecologists.

The subject of this employment covers the ecology of plants and/or invertebrates in limnic systems, especially the impacts of the surrounding landscape and climate change as well as other environmental changes. The subject does not cover ecotoxicology.

The professor is expected to lead a research group, which may include administrative tasks such as budget and personnel responsibility. We would like to see the new professor contribute to SLU's special mission, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

Within the subject area, the successful candidate should

• develop and lead internationally successful research
• collaborate with other SLU research teams to 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 from both national and international sources
• contribute to the strategic development of the department, faculty and SLU
• communicate research findings and other relevant information to society at large
• supervise doctoral students
• develop, lead and participate in teaching at the first, second and third cycle levels

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 learning Swedish.

Contacts:

Lars Sonesten, Head of Department
Sarah Hedenskog, Faculty Administrative Officer