Postdoctor in biology (pollination ecology)

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.

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics and combinations of these fields in order to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at two different localities: in Natrium at Medicinaregatan 7B in Gothenburg and at the Kristineberg marine research station operated by the Marine Infrastructure at the University of Gothenburg. The current position is placed at Natrium.

We offer

The University of Gothenburg is a state authority, which means special benefits, more holidays and a great pension. You can read more about our employment benefits here.

Subject area

Postdoctor in biology with a focus on plant and pollination ecology

Subject area description

Anthropogenic climate change has extensive effects on species distribution and biodiversity. However, our knowledge of these effects and their consequences is limited. The EDGE-lab works to understand how plant communities in the Arctic are changing as a result of climate change and how this in turn affects ecosystem functions. We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral fellow to work on how changing plant communities affect pollinator food supply and how a changing climate has affected pollination over time. The work as a postdoctoral fellow will be both theoretically and experimentally focused and include fieldwork.

Duties

To understand how changing plant communities have affected pollinators, the postdoc will use data from ITEX (the International Tundra Experiment) on how flower production has changed over time. Historical data on pollinator communities and plant reproduction from 30 years ago will be used to measure changes in bumblebee populations and reproduction.

The postdoc will

• Compile data on plant reproduction and phenology from sites across Arctic and alpine tundra regions
• Conduct a synthesis of how plant reproduction, the availability of floral resources for pollinators, and flowering time have changed in the Arctic due to warmer temperatures
• Assist in the supervision of a doctoral student on a project investigating how plant reproduction and plant-pollinator interactions have changed over time at the Latnjajaure, northern Sweden
• Participate in fieldwork in a mountain environment (Latnjajaure)
• The position includes teaching estimated at 10%

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
We are looking for a highly motivated person with expertise in plant ecology and pollination ecology.

Required qualifications for the employment:

• A PhD in biology
• Background in ecology, biogeography or a similar subject area.
• Good ability to communicate orally and in writing in English is a requirement as we work in an international environment
• Experience in scientific presentation (scientific articles, conference presentations, etc.)
• Good teamwork skills and interest in working together in a group and supporting the group's MSc and doctoral students.
• Specialization in pollination ecology and plant ecology
• Experience conducting fieldwork in remote Arctic or mountain environments

Desirable qualifications for the employment:

• Background in and interest in ecological theory
• Experience in taxonomic determination of bumblebees and plants
• Knowledge of the local flora and its pollination systems in the Arctic
• Experience in independently planning and carrying out fieldwork
• Experience in supervising students
• Experience teaching in ecology or a related field
• Experience in working within a large (preferably international) collaborative network
• Ability to collaborate with other researchers and in teams, as proven by previous publications and projects.
• Knowledge of statistics with R
• Driving license

The application should preferably be written in English and must include:

• A cover letter with the applicant's justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria
• A list of qualifications (CV)
• Certificate of PhD exam
• Complete list of publications, including submitted and accepted manuscripts

The most qualified candidates, in relation to the assessment criteria in the advertisement, are invited for an interview.

Employment

The employment is a temporary employment during three years, 100 % of full time, placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Starting date 2026-02-01 or upon agreement.

Contact information
If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

Dr. Anne Bjorkman, Senior lecturer
Phone: 076-618 2547
Email: anne.bjorkman@bioenv.gu.se
Webpage: www.edge-ecology.com

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
Phone: +46 31 786 26 25
Email: asa.arrhenius@bioenv.gu.se

If you have any questions about the employment process, please contact HR at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, hr@bioenv.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.

Publications that cannot be attached to the application in digital format should be mailed in one copy to:

Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Att: Anne Bjorkman
University of Gothenburg
Box 461 or 463
S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

Label the envelope "Postdoc in pollination ecology,PAR 2025/916, The publications must be received no later than the application deadline.

Applications must be received by:2025-12-18

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.