Senior Lecturer in Ecosystem Science

University of Gothenburg

Reference number: PAR 2025/598

The University of Gothenburg addresses society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. With 56,000 students and 6,600 employees, the university is a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students worldwide. Through new knowledge and perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Department Overview

The Department of Earth Sciences has approximately 75 employees working in Physical Geography, Ecosystem Sciences, and Geology. Specializations include:

  • Regional climate, polar climate, paleoclimate, urban climate

  • Alpine and polar ecology

  • GIS and remote sensing

  • Hydrogeology, geophysics, quaternary geology, and micro-geochemistry

Priority research themes:

  • Climate and Climate Change

  • Earth Surface Processes

  • The Geosphere

Facilities:

  • Drone lab

  • GIS teaching labs

  • Ice Lab

  • Biogeochemical analysis labs

  • Skogaryd Research Catchment infrastructure

The department focuses on Fennoscandia and Polar regions, with a mission to develop research, education, and services to society. The department promotes diversity and family-friendly work environments.

The position is partly funded by Mistra (The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research) and the Associate Senior Lecturer is expected to participate in Mistra’s leadership program. The position is also active within the Strategic Research Area “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate” (BECC), a collaboration with Lund University.

Subject Area

Ecosystem Science is an interdisciplinary field exploring interactions between biological, chemical, and physical processes in nature, and their response to human activity. Research focuses on sustainability, climate impact, and ecosystem resilience, integrating methods from ecology, earth sciences, biogeochemistry, and social sciences.

This position focuses on soil carbon dynamics in relation to climate and land use, including greenhouse gas formation and consumption in plant-soil ecosystems and their links to land use.

Duties

  • Research (up to 80%) and teaching (up to 20%)

  • Writing scientific papers, applying for external funding, attending scientific meetings

  • Supervision of bachelor, master, PhD, and postdoctoral projects

  • Teaching at bachelor, master, and PhD levels

  • Some administrative duties at Department or Faculty level

  • Opportunity to learn Swedish if not native, aiming for B2 level according to CEFR

Eligibility

  • PhD in Ecosystem Science, Physical Geography, Environmental Science, Ecology, or equivalent

  • PhD should ideally be awarded within five years of application, with exceptions for parental leave, illness, or similar circumstances

Higher Education Ordinance and University of Gothenburg regulations apply for teaching staff eligibility.

Assessment Criteria

Scientific Competence:

  • Ability to plan and manage research

  • High-quality scientific output

  • Ability to obtain external grants

Pedagogic Skills:

  • Teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level

  • Ability to develop pedagogical activities

  • Supervision experience

Interaction with Society:

  • Dissemination and community outreach experience

Leadership and Administrative Skills:

  • Experience in unit/department/university management

  • Participation in boards, committees, or leadership networks

General Suitability:

  • Alignment of research interests with department and BECC program

  • Participation in departmental infrastructure and research projects

  • Fluency in English required

Employment Details

  • Type: 6-year fixed-term, merit-based employment with potential promotion to permanent Senior Lecturer

  • Extent: 100%, full-time

  • Location: Department of Earth Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden

  • Start Date: Latest 1 July 2026

Selection Process:

  • Review by external experts, trial lectures, interviews, reference checks

  • Parental leave, sick leave, and other relevant circumstances will be considered

  • Interviews scheduled for March 18–19, 2026

Contact Information:

  • Hans Linderholm, Head of Department, Professor in Physical Geography, hansl@gvc.gu.se, +46 70 858 9504

  • Robert Björk, Vice Head of Research, Professor in Ecosystem Sciences, robert.bjork@gu.se, +46 70 454 6541

Union Information:

  • Union representatives available at the University of Gothenburg

Application Instructions

Submit via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal. The merit portfolio should include:

  1. Personal data, degrees, and evaluations

  2. Scientific portfolio

  3. Pedagogical portfolio

  4. Collaboration portfolio

  5. Leadership and administrative portfolio

Attach:

  • Cover letter

  • CV with publications and research grants

  • List of max 10 selected publications with motivation and role

  • Copies of relevant publications (max 10)

  • Description of current and future research integration with department/BECC (max 2 pages)

  • Pedagogical experience, evaluations, reflection, teaching philosophy (max 2 pages)

  • PhD certificate and other supporting documents

Application Deadline: 22 October 2025

Language: English

Mailing Address (if not electronic):
Department of Earth Sciences
Attn: Eugenia Andersson
University of Gothenburg
P.O. Box 460
S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

Additional Information

  • External research grants expected after employment

  • Mandatory teaching training within one year if not previously acquired

  • Swedish language courses offered if B2 level not met

  • Relocation support provided for international recruits

  • Promotion to Senior Lecturer expected within six years

Benefits:

  • Special benefits, more holidays, good pension

  • High quality of life in Gothenburg, Sweden

  • Generous parental leave (480 days)

  • Free preschool education within 4 months of application

Archive Policy:

  • Applications archived for two years per National Archives regulations

Apply