Postdoctoral Fellow in Geography

Stockholm University

About the Department

The Department of Physical Geography is one of the major departments within the Faculty of Science. The department has approximately 100 employees and educates approximately 1,000 students annually. Our research and education are in Physical Geography—a wide-ranging scientific field dealing with the diverse physical and biological features of Earth, their characteristics, processes, patterns, and interactions with humans.

We study connected physical, chemical, biological, geological, environmental, and social processes and changes in the world's land areas and their water, ice, and geological formations, climate systems, and ecosystems, in relation to each other and to human societies.

We offer a stimulating and friendly environment in a diverse and international institution with research and education at a very high level.

Project Description

The project focuses on the pace and extent of plant community change, and how factors such as species, trait, and landscape composition may attenuate turnover. It is a cross-disciplinary project between plant community ecology and biogeography. The long-term goal is to understand how to avoid local species extinction where there are time lags because of past and present landscape change and other global drivers such as climate change.

Main Responsibilities

This postdoc project will focus on identifying how traits of plant species influence how communities respond to environmental change. By using a unique re-survey data set from the UK, it is possible to explore and systematically test hypotheses about how dispersal and persistence characteristics of species determine how much and how quickly they respond to change, particularly across different habitat contexts and in areas with different land-use histories.

This knowledge can then be used to help understand how environmental pressures on species occurrence are likely to filter down to changes in species and functional diversity at both the local and wider scales.

The postdoc will work within the team of the ECSTATIC project, in collaboration with the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology at Lancaster University in the UK. The successful candidate will lead scientific publications within the team.

Qualification Requirements

To qualify for a postdoctoral position, applicants are required to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent relevant degree from another country. The degree must have been completed no later than when the employment decision is made.

Assessment Criteria

It is considered an advantage if the doctoral degree or an equivalent degree was completed no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Under special circumstances, an older degree may also be an advantage. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to:

  • Research skills.

  • Experience of building and interpreting statistical models to investigate drivers of plant community composition and traits.

  • Understanding the response of biodiversity at different scales to changes in land use and other environmental drivers in a geographical context.

  • Documented scientific writing skills.

About the Employment

The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances.
Start date: 1 March 2026 or as per agreement.

We Offer

At Stockholm University, you will experience the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that makes the university an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international setting and enjoy favourable working conditions.

The university is located in the National City Park with good transport links to the city.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from:
Professor Sara Cousins
Head of Department
Email: sara.cousins@natgeo.su.se

Application

Apply for the position through Stockholm University’s recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV, as well as the attachments requested in the application form.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at How to apply for a position.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment, and the pursuit of truth.

Position Details

  • Type of employment: Temporary position

  • Contract type: Full time

  • Salary: Individual salary setting

  • Number of positions: 1

  • Full-time equivalent: 100%

  • City: Stockholm

  • County: Stockholms län

  • Country: Sweden

  • Reference number: SU FV-3660-25

  • Published: 10 Oct 2025

  • Last application date: 30 Nov 2025

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