Postdoc in functional biodiversity
Göteborgs universitetSammanfattning
The University of Gothenburg is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in marine ecology and functional biodiversity at the Department of Marine Sciences. This role focuses on researching the functional consequences of biodiversity loss and its impact on ecosystem functioning across various scales. The position is based in Gothenburg and involves collaboration with international researchers. The successful candidate will engage in data analysis, simulations, and contribute to scientific publications.Jobbet i korthet
Arbetstid
heltid
Det här erbjuder vi
Fixed-term employment for 2 yearsOpportunity to work in an interdisciplinary and international environmentAccess to advanced research infrastructureEngagement in collaborative research projects
Ansök senast: 2026-10-15
Publicerad: 2026-09-26
Beskrivning
The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.
The Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, (https://www.gu.se/en/marina-vetenskaper) combines extensive scientific competence with unique infrastructure to provide the most complete environment for marine science and education in Sweden. It is one of only a few such organisations in Europe. By integrating advanced research infrastructure with a strong link to societal needs and challenges, the Department contributes with new solutions to global ocean challenges.
The Department of Marine Sciences conducts research, education, and innovation related to the science of the ocean and its resources. Its activities are based in Gothenburg, at two research stations (Kristineberg Marine Research Station, and Tjarno Marine Laboratory), and on the research vessel Skagerak. The Department has an interdisciplinary scope that encompasses marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, preservation of marine cultural heritage, and oceanography, working in all marine habitats from shallow bays and coastal seas to the open oceans. Our scientists and students often play leading roles in international collaborative research, including expeditions to Polar regions and the great seas of the world, as well as in our newly built laboratories with advanced equipment and complex analytical techniques. The Department also offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, a Bachelor's degree, three Master's degrees, and a Ph. D. programme, all within marine sciences.
Subject area
Marine ecology / Functional Biodiversity
Subject area description
The position is placed at the Department of Marine Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Technology. The department conducts research and education across a broad spectrum of marine disciplines, with strong international engagement and access to advanced infrastructure.
This postdoctoral position is part of a project funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) about biodiversity acting as an insurance for ecosystem functioning at multiple scales in natural ecosystems.
Duties
The successful candidate will contribute to research about the functional consequences of biodiversity loss. Substantial experimental evidence has demonstrated the importance of biodiversity in sustaining functioning ecosystems, but whether and how these effects translate to scales relevant to nature and to humanity remain mostly untested. Building on recent theoretical and empirical advancements, the postdoc will evaluate how biodiversity can act as an insurance for sustaining high ecosystem functioning at multiple spatial scales in large natural seascapes. There are possibilities to analyse already collected data on (i) seaweeds across the whole of Great Britain, and (ii) reef fish along the coast of Australia. A focused empirical study may also be conducted, and there are potential synergy effects with two ongoing research projects on Swedish kelp forests and their associated biodiversity.
Main responsibilities include:
The postdoctoral researcher will be part of an international group of researchers from Sweden, UK, and USA. There is the possibility to be part of both Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre (www.gu.se/en/ggbc-global-biodiversity) and the Centre for Sea and Society (www.gu.se/en/sea-society).
Eligibility
To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in fine arts, or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.
In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.
Assessment criteria
Selection will be based on:
Experience with the following is considered an advantage:
Personal qualifications:
We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and curious person with a strong interest in understanding and predicting the effects of changing biodiversity across multiple spatial scales. We particularly welcome researchers with excellent communication and collaboration skills who enjoy leading and coordinating collaborative teams. We are also looking for someone with excellent organizational skills who is keen to develop their independence. In addition, we value a person who enjoys developing new ideas, takes a critical approach to the current state of knowledge, and is willing to explore concepts beyond their immediate area of expertise. All qualifications and merits will be assessed in relation to the applicant's opportunities and circumstances.
The application should preferably be written in English and include:
Employment
The employment is a fixed-term employment for 2 years, 100% of full time and placed at the Department of Marine Science in Gothenburg. Starting date is upon agreement
Selection process
Candidates who progress in the selection process will be invited to a structured interview, which will be conducted in English and may take place online. Candidates will receive information about the interview format in advance.
Contact information for the post
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Dr. Lars Gamfeldt, + 46 766 18 25 39, lars.gamfeldt@gu.se
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact
HR, helen.tholander@gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
Application
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
Applications must be received by: 2026-10-15
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.
Salaries are set individually at the University.
In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.
In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
The Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, (https://www.gu.se/en/marina-vetenskaper) combines extensive scientific competence with unique infrastructure to provide the most complete environment for marine science and education in Sweden. It is one of only a few such organisations in Europe. By integrating advanced research infrastructure with a strong link to societal needs and challenges, the Department contributes with new solutions to global ocean challenges.
The Department of Marine Sciences conducts research, education, and innovation related to the science of the ocean and its resources. Its activities are based in Gothenburg, at two research stations (Kristineberg Marine Research Station, and Tjarno Marine Laboratory), and on the research vessel Skagerak. The Department has an interdisciplinary scope that encompasses marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, preservation of marine cultural heritage, and oceanography, working in all marine habitats from shallow bays and coastal seas to the open oceans. Our scientists and students often play leading roles in international collaborative research, including expeditions to Polar regions and the great seas of the world, as well as in our newly built laboratories with advanced equipment and complex analytical techniques. The Department also offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, a Bachelor's degree, three Master's degrees, and a Ph. D. programme, all within marine sciences.
Subject area
Marine ecology / Functional Biodiversity
Subject area description
The position is placed at the Department of Marine Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Technology. The department conducts research and education across a broad spectrum of marine disciplines, with strong international engagement and access to advanced infrastructure.
This postdoctoral position is part of a project funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) about biodiversity acting as an insurance for ecosystem functioning at multiple scales in natural ecosystems.
Duties
The successful candidate will contribute to research about the functional consequences of biodiversity loss. Substantial experimental evidence has demonstrated the importance of biodiversity in sustaining functioning ecosystems, but whether and how these effects translate to scales relevant to nature and to humanity remain mostly untested. Building on recent theoretical and empirical advancements, the postdoc will evaluate how biodiversity can act as an insurance for sustaining high ecosystem functioning at multiple spatial scales in large natural seascapes. There are possibilities to analyse already collected data on (i) seaweeds across the whole of Great Britain, and (ii) reef fish along the coast of Australia. A focused empirical study may also be conducted, and there are potential synergy effects with two ongoing research projects on Swedish kelp forests and their associated biodiversity.
Main responsibilities include:
- Compile and clean large data sets
- Doing computer simulations and statistical analyses
- Contributing to scientific publications, reports and data outputs
- Participating in international collaborations and workshops
The postdoctoral researcher will be part of an international group of researchers from Sweden, UK, and USA. There is the possibility to be part of both Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre (www.gu.se/en/ggbc-global-biodiversity) and the Centre for Sea and Society (www.gu.se/en/sea-society).
Eligibility
To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in fine arts, or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.
In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.
Assessment criteria
Selection will be based on:
- Scientific expertise in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and marine ecology
- Experience with statistical modelling and simulations using the software R
- Publication records relevant to the position
- In-depth experience with marine macro-algae
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international team
- Excellent communication skills in English
Experience with the following is considered an advantage:
- Familiarity with the literature on the consequences of changes in biodiversity across multiple scales
- Large collaborative projects
- Reef-fish ecology
- Driving a small boat
Personal qualifications:
We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and curious person with a strong interest in understanding and predicting the effects of changing biodiversity across multiple spatial scales. We particularly welcome researchers with excellent communication and collaboration skills who enjoy leading and coordinating collaborative teams. We are also looking for someone with excellent organizational skills who is keen to develop their independence. In addition, we value a person who enjoys developing new ideas, takes a critical approach to the current state of knowledge, and is willing to explore concepts beyond their immediate area of expertise. All qualifications and merits will be assessed in relation to the applicant's opportunities and circumstances.
The application should preferably be written in English and include:
- A cover letter describing why the applicant is interested in the position and how they meet the selection criteria.
- A curriculum vitae,CV.
- A doctoral degree certificate.
- A complete list of publications
- Contact details for 2 referees (candidates will be informed before referees are contacted).
Employment
The employment is a fixed-term employment for 2 years, 100% of full time and placed at the Department of Marine Science in Gothenburg. Starting date is upon agreement
Selection process
Candidates who progress in the selection process will be invited to a structured interview, which will be conducted in English and may take place online. Candidates will receive information about the interview format in advance.
Contact information for the post
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Dr. Lars Gamfeldt, + 46 766 18 25 39, lars.gamfeldt@gu.se
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact
HR, helen.tholander@gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
Application
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
Applications must be received by: 2026-10-15
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.
Salaries are set individually at the University.
In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.
In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
Ansök till tjänsten
Postdoc in functional biodiversity
OM FÖRETAGET
Göteborgs universitet
