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. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. 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. In fact, the future is made here.
We are announcing a postdoctoral position in aquatic biogeochemistry and ecosystem ecology. The employment is full time for two years and the position is expected to start on September 1st 2025, or according to agreement. The position is based at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Umeå University. Last application date is April 11th, 2025.
Research description The postdoc position is supported by a new Water4All Transnational Project: Monitoring river metabolism to assess ecosystem services (BREATHE). BREATHE’s broadest goal is to co-design an international sensor-based river observation system, emphasizing the use of dissolved oxygen and river metabolism as tools to quantify aquatic ecosystem services in the face of environmental change. BREATHE is made up of six international groups, with each participating country focused on advancing how aquatic sensors can be used to understand regionally-pressing environmental challenges, from water regulation, to forestry, to climate change. Included in this work will be efforts to engage stakeholders in 1) co-designing workflows that interconnect sensor data collection, integration, and modelling and 2) co-constructing case studies to demonstrate how this workflow may be applied at the local scale but also integrated internationally.
This postdoc position will focus largely on using dissolved oxygen sensors to understand how peatland restoration in the Swedish landscape alters downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystem functioning. Peatlands are defining features of boreal landscapes, playing critical roles in carbon storage and water quality. There is currently much debate in Sweden regarding how to manage and/or restore historically-ditched peatlands, with little consideration of what this decision may mean for downstream aquatic ecosystems. The postdoc will lead the acquisition and analysis of aquatic sensor data collected from a network of streams draining ditched, restored, and pristine peatlands already established across Sweden.
The postdoc will work with Prof. Ryan Sponseller (Umeå University) and Assistant Prof. Gerard Rocher-Ros (Umeå University), and collaborators within the broader BREATHE consortium, including Benoit Demars (NIVA; Norway), Susana Bernal (CEAB-CSIC, Spain), Tom Battin (EPFL; Switzerland), Josh Dean (University of Bristol, UK), and Björn Gücker (UFJS; Brazil). In addition, this person will have the opportunity to collaborate with a broader constellation of Swedish researchers and stakeholders currently engaged in questions regarding peatland restoration.
Qualifications To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
The successful candidate should have a PhD in aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, physical geography, or a related field. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to execute and complete research projects, think independently and creatively, but also work in within collaborative (team) environment are expected. Past experience working with aquatic sensors and/or modeling aquatic metabolism for dissolved oxygen data is considered a strong merit, but not a requirement.
How to apply The application should contain the following:
A personal cover letter motivating your application and how you can contribute to the research (max one page)
CV including full list of publications,
Copy of doctoral thesis,
A copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
Contact information for two reference persons,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to submit.
The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page.
The closing date is April 11th, 2025.
Contact Any additional questions about the research or application should be directed to Ryan Sponseller, Umeå University (ryan.sponseller@umu.se).
The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science carries out research and postgraduate education in ecology, environmental science and physical geography. The department has about 160 employees, about 30 of whom are postdoctoral researchers. For more information, visit: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
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