Postdoctoral position - Arctic microbial ecology

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology
A post-doc position in Microbial Ecology is available at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala. The department provides a dynamic and international research environment with scientists conducting fundamental and applied research on plant-microbe interactions, mycology, microbial ecology and evolution, as well as biodiversity. Central themes are forest and plant pathology, and nutrient and carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.  We have a modern and well-equipped molecular and biochemical laboratory. The post-doc position is placed in the Soil Microbiology group focused on the roles of microorganisms in soil nitrogen and carbon cycling and their effects on ecosystem processes. Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

The position is part of a large interdisciplinary project funded by the Wallenberg Foundation and running 2021-2026. The project aims to understand and quantify how processes during the arctic winter may be decisive for overall feedbacks from arctic tundra to the global climate. Year-round carbon and nitrogen balances depend on the seasonality of the activities of plant and microbial communities, and their synchronization. Changing winter conditions may cause asynchronies of these processes, leading to increased carbon and nitrogen losses and positive climate feedbacks. This project will advance basic knowledge of synchronies in plant and microbial activities during the cold season. The project will further assess the environmental drivers and community traits that may be used to up-scale and predict effects of asynchronies on year-round carbon and nitrogen balances of tundra.

To do this, plant and microbial ecologists work together with specialists in up-scaling based on drone technology and satellite imaging. The project will benefit from ongoing collaborations between plant ecologists (University of Umeå) and fungal and microbial ecologists (SLU, Uppsala). The project will involve a research team of about 8 senior and postdoctoral scientists, 4 PhD students and 3 technical staff. Most of the experimental work will be based around Abisko Scientific Research Station, Sweden. We are recruiting an additional postdoctoral colleague for the microbial ecology aspects of the project.

Duties:
The work will involve designing, planning, and carrying out experimental work towards the project aims in collaboration with the project team. The work will combine mesocosm experiments for mechanistic studies with sampling along environmental gradients with the aim of up-scaling relevant microbial functions. The analytical work involves metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and quantification and sequencing of taxonomic and functional marker genes, combined with bioinformatic and biostatistical analyses. We expect you to participate in development of the project and planning of the studies, to carry out the practical work and analyses and to write scientific publications in collaboration with the project team. The work requires some travelling, field work and stays at Abisko Scientific Research Station, Northern Sweden.

Qualifications:
The applicant should hold a PhD degree in biology or microbiology and have documented knowledge and experience within microbial ecology. Documented expertise in metagenomics and DNA-based community analysis, bioinformatics and biostatistics are required. Knowledge and previous experience of scientific work with metatranscriptomics, soil biogeochemistry and isotopic labelling techniques, are strong merits. Earlier experience with field work under arctic conditions and possession of a driver’s license will further count as merits. The working language is English and excellent written and spoken communication in English is a requirement. We are looking for a highly motivated, open-minded, and team-oriented candidate, who will contribute positively to the development of the research environment, and who has shown capacity for independent scientific work.

A postdoctoral position is a qualifying appointment for junior researchers, intended primarily for those who have obtained a doctorate degree within the past three years.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment for 2 years.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
November 2023, or by agreement

Application:
We welcome your application submitted via the button, no later than 2023-08-21.

CV including a list of publications, PhD degree certificate, a description of past research and current research interests (max 2 pages) should be included. Please also indicate areas of research you want to develop further within this position (max 1 page). Contact details (name, relation to candidate, e-mail address and telephone number) of two reference persons familiar with your earlier scientific work is also required.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/



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.