We are seeking an Assistant Professor in Biodiversity Studies to join Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) and explore the links between biodiversity and plant physiological processes, using advanced techniques like eDNA and metagenomics. This six-year, tenure-track position offers the opportunity for promotion to a permanent associate professorship and is part of the WIFORCE initiative that is supported by the Wallenberg Foundation. The position will be placed at the Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, that is part of UPSC.
Application deadline: 18 February 2025
We are now opening an Assistant Professor position in Biodiversity studies. We are looking for a scientist who works with plants/forest trees and their associated biodiversity and who can link biodiversity data to plant physiological processes. Use your experties with approaches including eDNA, amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, or metatranscriptomics on our genomics/bioinformatics and molecular resources and help explaining e.g. climate change impacts on forest ecosystems at a molecular level!
The position is a part of the Swedish research initiative WIFORCE that is supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Focussing on the critical role of forest ecosystems in climate change, this coherent basic science research program addresses large and complex issues and develops new analytical tools to sustainably use and safeguard forest biodiversity. In the frame of the programme, more than fifty PhD students and five new group leaders will be hired.
This six-year, tenure-track position is time-limited, with the possibility to apply for promotion to permanent associate professorship after six years. It presents a unique opportunity to conduct independent research and establish your research group. Join our supportive research environments at UPSC and WIRFORCE and work at the forefront of multidisciplinary plant science.
Duties
Your duties will primarily be establishing and leading a research group in biodiversity studies using environmental genomics. This includes all aspects of scientific leadership, including applying for funds, supervising PhD students and postdocs, and communicating the findings. You are expected to establish an independent line of research within the field and to generate synergies with other research groups at Umeå Plant Science Centre.
You are also expected to participate in the department's teaching (max 25%) as academic pedagogic development.
Eligibility requirements
Primary consideration should be given to a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within five years before the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant professor. However, a person awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are sick leave, parental leave, or other similar circumstances.
Further details
As an employee at Umeå University, you're offered a wide variety of benefits that promote a good work-life balance, read more about benefits here (https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/).
Application
More information concerning the application can be found following this link: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/assistant-professor-in-biodiversity-studies-using-edna_767245/.
Applications should be send on 18 February 2025 at the latest using Umeå University's electronic recruitment system Varbi that can be accessed by pressing the "Apply" button on the above page.
Registration number: AN 2.2.1-1366-24
Contact
For questions, please get in touch with Professor Johannes Hanson, Head of Department, johannes.hanson@umu.se.
About Umeå Plant Science Centre
The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at SLU, where the position will be located, is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC). UPSC is a centre of excellence for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology in Northern Sweden. Our mission is to perform excellent and innovative basic research and generate knowledge that benefits forestry, agriculture, environment and society. We work across a wide range of disciplines in plant science reaching from cell biology to ecophysiology and from basic research to industrial applications. Our common goal is to understand the plants’ ability to grow, adapt and acclimate to a changing world and how we can breed better plants.
UPSC belongs to two universities, SLU and Umeå University. About 200 people from more than 40 different nationalities work here. We host some 30 principal investigators, and our researchers have access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms, unique tree germplasm resources and plant growth facilities. We strive for a collaborative work environment and support our scientists throughout all career stages by providing professional training opportunities and individual career mentoring.
About Umeå University
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably.
