项目介绍

2025年2月7日

At the Department of Ecology, we conduct internationally recognized research and education for sustainable forest and agricultural production and efficient biodiversity conservation. Our research on populations, biological communities and ecosystems are the basis for studying the effects of climate and land use change on animals, plants and soils. We seek solutions that contribute to a sustainable society through research on greenhouse gas balance, biodiversity conservation and wildlife management in forest, agricultural and urban landscapes.

For more information about the department visit: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/ecology/

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

About the position

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a project studying the effects of climate change on hair lichens using airborne eDNA samples. Hair lichens, i.e. lichens of the genera Alectoria, Bryoria, and Usnea are an important part of boreal forest ecosystems, and highly sensitive to drivers of global change. They have been widely regarded as indicators of ecosystem health, and their decline in abundance has been correlated with air pollution and forestry. Climate change poses a new threat to hair lichens, but its effects are so far poorly understood.

This project uses a long time series (ca. 50 years) of eDNA samples collected in the northernmost region of Sweden. With these data, we aim to understand how climate change and other global change drivers influence different species of hair lichens. The postdoc will participate in dataset assembly, data analysis, and writing of the resulting scientific manuscripts. The specific tasks will be adjusted to the skills of the candidate and the overall fit within the research group. The postdoc will be based at the Department of Ecology in Uppsala (Sweden), but the project includes collaborators at Umeå University (Sweden) and the University of Technology of Graz (Austria).

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated applicant with experience in working with DNA sequence data. Applicants should hold a PhD in biology, ecology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, or other relevant, closely related field. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.

The applicants are required to have:

• Experience of analyzing DNA sequencing data
• Experience of scripting in e.g. R or Bash
• Basic bioinformatics skills
• Good statistical knowledge
• Good English skills, both spoken and written

In addition, knowledge or experience of the following is regarded as strongly meriting:

• Lichen or cryptogam ecology, functional traits or ecophysiology
• Programming in e.g. Python
• Analysis of very large datasets
• Genome assemblies
• Working on computer clusters
• Time series analysis
• Mathematical modelling

In addition, emphasis will be put on the applicant’s personal qualities, such as the ability to work independently.

Location:

Uppsala, Sweden.

Form of employment:

A postdoc scholarship for 24 months. Note that the postdoc will not be formally employed at SLU, but receive a personal stipend during 24 months.

Scope:

100%.

Start date:

August 2025, or according to agreement.

Application:

Please submit your application before deadline 14 Mars 2025. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Union representatives:

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Contact person

Aino Hämäläinen

Researcher

firstname.surname@slu.se

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12152&rmlang=UK