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Umeå University - with its 33,000 students and over 4,000 employees - is an organisation in constant change and development. Umeå University conducts groundbreaking research within several areas - several in which we are among the best in the world - within others regarded as the leaders in Sweden. We are one of Sweden’s largest providers of education and offer a broad and attractive range of courses and programmes. Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment for everyone that studies and works here. We wish to co-operate with companies and organisations throughout the Umeå region and all over the world.

Position as Assistant Professor in Microbial Ecology

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science has about 160 members including 55 PhD researchers and 55 PhD students (for more information see the department’s homepage: www.emg.umu.se/forskning/index_eng.html.

ECOCHANGE is a new governmental strategic marine research program at Umeå University (UmU) in collaboration with the Linnaeus University in Kalmar. Ecosystem dynamics in the Baltic Sea is studied in a climate change perspective. The effect of climate related changes on lower and higher trophic levels are investigated in a north-south gradient in the Baltic Sea, as well as effects on bioavailiability of pollutants and their potential to change food web function. It is an interdisciplinary project spanning from ecology and chemistry to environmental science.

Research profile
We are looking for a person with expert knowledge in molecular microbial ecology and a research interest in regulation of aquatic food webs. Research may be focused on how climate related changes affect ecosystem drivers, lower trophic levels and food web function in marine environments. Applicants will be evaluated for their scientific qualifications within the field, the scientific potential of the proposed research program, their independence as well as their collaborative ability. Teaching qualifications and administrative experience will also be assessed.

The position is for 4 years of research. If other duties are available, e.g. teaching, which can be pursued up to a 20% basis, the position can be prolonged to 5 years. Candidates for an employment as assistant professor should have a PhD not more than five years old. Candidates should have documented research experiences within the area of the position. When evaluating the applicants, particular emphasis will be put on scientific skills. Pedagogical and administrative skills and the ability to collaborate with other researchers will also be considered in the evaluation.

Applicants should submit, electronically or in hard-copy form:

  • a curriculum vitae,
  • copies of degree certificates,
  • a statement of previous research achievements and teaching merits,
  • a publication list,
  • a short description of administrative experience,
  • a short description of skills in developing and managing activities and staff at an institute of higher education,
  • a  short description of aptitude in interacting with the surrounding community and informing people about research and development projects,
  • copies of 10 relevant articles, numbered according to the publication list,
  • a research plan (maximum 4 pages), and
  • a list of 3 referees (with contact details).

Note that in order to be considered, applications must include copies of the selected publications.

Further information can be obtained from Professor Agneta Andersson, agneta.andersson@emg.umu.se.

Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.

Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled. All documents submitted in hard-copy form should be in duplicate, and documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format. If you are applying to several positions with different reference numbers, you must submit a separate application for each position.

The application period for this advert has expired.


Employment Profile for a position as Assistant Professor in Microbial Ecology

Subject field
Ecology with focus on molecular microbial ecology and aquatic food webs.

Qualifications
A person who has taken a doctor’s degree or who has a foreign qualification deemed equivalent to a doctorate shall be qualified for appointment as assistant professor. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their degree no more than five years before the last date for applications. Candidates who have completed their degree earlier than this should receive equal priority if special grounds exist. Special grounds include leave of absence because of sickness, service in the total defence, positions of trust in trade union organisations and student organisations, parental leave and other similar circumstances.

Assessment grounds for appointments

Assessment for the appointment of teachers shall be based on the degree in which a candidate possesses the skill required to qualify for the appointment. Furthermore, regard shall be paid to the degree in which a candidate possesses administrative and other skills of importance, taking into account the subject matter determined by the institution of higher education for the position and the duties that the position will involve. Moreover, regard shall be paid to the degree in which a candidate possesses skills in developing and managing activities and staff at the higher education institution and aptitude in interacting with the surrounding community and informing people about research and development projects.

Scientific skill should be in the area of molecular microbial ecology with focus on aquatic/marine ecosystems. The potential to develop successful research regarding climate related changes in the Baltic Sea ecosystem should be assessed. Scientific and popular scientific publications are evaluated, as well as the applicants experience and potential to receive external research grants. Furthermore, the applicants will be evaluated for their communication with the scientific community (e.g. participation and invitations to scientific conferences). The applicant’s collaborative ability as well as independence will be assessed.

Pedagogic skill regards both breadth (biology/ecology) and depth (microbial ecology).  Experience of teaching assistance, project leading and lecturing will be assessed.

Administrative skill regards e.g. project leadership, course leadership and course development.

Furthermore, the applicant’s ability to interact with the surrounding community and to inform about research results and education will be evaluated.

Priorities of the different assessment grounds for appointments
The ranking of applicants will be based primarily on scientific proficiency.

On behalf of the faculty of science and technology

Åsa Rasmuson-Lestander, Dean
Erik Sundbom, Faculty officer


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