Research Assistant in Environmental Economics, Chemical Pollution and Biodiversity

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.

School of Business, Economics, and Law at the University of Gothenburg

With about 8000 students, 500 employees, more than 160 international partner universities, and the main areas are business administration, economics, and law, the School has a unique broadness. The School is also characterized by its close relationship between research and education, internationalization, overall embeddedness of sustainability, and its close engagement with business and society. The School is accredited by EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA - "Triple Crown". For further information please see the School of Business, Economics and Law's web page; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg (gu.se)

Environment for Development

The Environment for Development (EfD) is a unit at the School of Business, Economics, and Law at the University of Gothenburg. EfD is a global network of environmental economics research centers primarily based in the Global South. The overall objective of EfD is to support poverty alleviation and sustainable development by building environmental economics' capacity for policy-making processes.

EfD has centers hosted by academic institutions in Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Vietnam. The EfD unit leads and participates in a wide range of research projects and is an active partner in several interdisciplinary networks, including FRAM - Centre for Future Chemical Risk Assessment and Management (www.FRAM.gu.se ), and BECC - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate (www.BECC.lu.se). More information about EfD can be found on the EfD website: www.environmentfordevelopment.org.

Job assignments

We seek a research assistant to support environmental economics research on the effects of chemical pollution on biodiversity and human health, as well as policy instruments to prevent pollution and enable cost-effective remediation of contaminated sites. The work relates to ongoing developments in EU policies on soil health and nature restoration, which place increasing demands on monitoring, risk classification, and remedial actions for polluted areas. The project integrates natural science data (e.g., chemical and biological indicators) with economic and policy perspectives. It is led from Environment for Development, in collaboration with researchers in FRAM and BECC.

The work includes collecting and analysing data on contaminated sites, remediation activities, and indicators of soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. You will compile and analyse policy documents, scientific literature, and national databases, including geospatial data related to pollutants such as PFAS, and conduct interviews with relevant actors in government agencies, municipalities, and other organisations. The work also involves policy analysis of risk classification and prioritisation systems, contributing to report writing and research funding applications, and supporting the organisation and documentation of project meetings, workshops, and dialogues with researchers and societal stakeholders.

You will work closely with the project leader and other researchers within EfD, FRAM and BECC

Qualifications

Requirements:

• A master's degree, or a master's degree close to completion
• Excellent skills in Swedish and English as working languages, both spoken and written
• Experience in data collection and analysis
• Strong analytical skills, demonstrated through written project work, a thesis, and/or publications in scientific journals
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with researchers and external partners

Merits:

• A master's degree in economics, political science, environmental science, or a related field
• Experience working with environmental policy, contaminated sites, soil and water quality, or biodiversity
• Knowledge of geospatial analysis, GIS tools, data processing, or modelling methods for environmental data
• Experience with econometrics, data analysis, and statistical software such as R, Stata, or similar
• Experience working in an academic environment (e.g., as a research assistant)
• Experience conducting interviews, organising workshops, or coordinating projects
• Experience in international work or interdisciplinary research environments

We place great emphasis on personal suitability, including the ability to take initiative, organise work efficiently, and work independently.

Employment

The employment as a research assistant is a fixed-term position for 11 months with an extent of 100% of full-time, located at Environment for Development (EfD), the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The starting date is as soon as possible, or as agreed.

Selection process

References will be contacted for final candidates.

Contact information for the post

For further information regarding the position. Please contact: project leader Daniel Slunge, +46 31 786 9205; daniel.slunge@efd.gu.se

Unions

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

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.

Please attach the following in the application:

• Detailed CV, including a list of university courses and grades
• Personal letter (maximum two pages)
• List of publications/manuscripts, including the Master's thesis
• Description of qualifications in relation to the advertised position
• Any other relevant documentation supporting your application
• Three references (names and contact details)

Applications must be received by:2026-01-23

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.