Postdoc in living benthic foraminifera and sediment biogeochemistry

Om jobbet

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 Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, and Kristineberg Marine Research Station), 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 geology

Subject area description

The postdoc will join an international and interdisciplinary team of researchers specialized in benthic foraminifera and sediment biogeochemistry from Sweden, France (LPG University of Angers) and Germany (University of Hamburg) and will be employed in project "FAME: Fjord Alien Microeukaryotes - New Drivers of Ecosystem Functioning?" funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR). Knowledge on marine alien and invasive species is highly biased towards larger organisms, most of which may impact ecosystems negatively. In contrast, hidden invaders (e.g. microbial eukaryotes such as foraminifera) may provide beneficial ecosystem functions i.e. carbon mineralization and nutrient removal. Project FAME aims to define contribution of invasive foraminifera, Nonionella sp. T1, to fjord nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling, and identify their impact on fjord biodiversity. We seek to employ a 2-year postdoc with a strong background in living benthic foraminifera and/or marine biogeochemistry to improve our understanding of the role of invasive microeukaryotes in fjord nitrogen and phosphorus cycling.

Duties

The position involves the following tasks:

• Independently plan and perform fieldwork, labwork and analyses.
• Analyse sediment for living (CTG-labelled) benthic foraminifera and quantify their densities by using epifluorescent microscopy.
• Perform nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) analyses in sediment porewater by using centrifugation and 2D-gels.
• Analyse intracellular nitrate storage of foraminifera (by chemoluminescence and biovolume calculation) and measure foraminifera denitrification rates.
• Analyse intracellular phosphate storage (by colorimetric analysis) and evaluate the authigenic P-phases to define potential foraminifera contribution to sedimentary P-sink.
• Analyse presence of apatite in dead foraminifera shells.
• Communicate and collaborate with other project members to analyse data, present project findings at international conferences, and produce scientific papers.
• Some research-centered teaching at BSc and MSc levels as well as science outreach for public and schools can also occur as part of this position

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art 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

To be considered for this position, applicants need to fulfil the following requirements:

• Doctoral degree in marine geology, marine ecology, biogeochemistry or equivalent or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in a relevant field. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made
• Experience of previous research on benthic foraminifera (or other microeukaryotes) and/or in marine/sediment biogeochemistry
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• Proven ability to lead and co-author scientific publications

We are particularly interested in candidates, who are willing to learn new methods and perform interdisciplinary research. In addition to the requirements listed above, the successful candidate should fulfil at least two of the criteria below:

• Good knowledge of sampling, preparation and analysis (lab-based and statistical) of benthic foraminifera and/or other microeukaryotes.
• Experience of colorimetric and chemoluminescence analysis techniques for pore-water and intracellular nutrient content.
• Experience using epifluorescent microscopy
• Experience using microelectrodes

Finally, as the position involves fieldwork, a driver's licence (category B) is beneficial. We also set a great value on candidate's good social and communication skills.

The candidates will be assessed following the requirements and specific eligibility criteria outlined above and, also by the following:

• Publication track record (in relation to academic age)
• Proficiency in English
• Social and communication skills
• Motivation and ability to successfully complete scientific projects and efficiently write scientific publications
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a research team
• Willingness to disseminate research results outside of academia (to general public and schools)
• Willingness to contribute to teaching at MSc and BSc levels.

The assessment will be based on the individual expertise, personal skills and the best suitability for the project and research group. Best-fitting candidates will be invited for an interview.

Employment

The position is a fixed-term employment for two years, 100% of full time and placed at the Department of Marine Science in Gothenburg. Starting date is negotiable,but preferably no later than end of May 2026.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Assoc. Prof. Irina Polovodova Asteman, +46 706 289944, irina.polovodova@marine.gu.se

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Helen Tholander (HR), helen.tholander@gu.se.

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

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.

We kindly advise all applicants to send theirapplications through the university application portal.

When applying through portal, please attach the following documents to your application:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Copy of degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered. The qualifications claimed must be documented, certified and translated into English.
• Contact information of two reference persons i.e. recent PhD supervisors (please do not attach any recommendation letters as those will be requested later).

Maximum 3 selected publications of relevance

Applications must be received by:2026-03-15

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

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.