Postdoctoral position - Diversity of Aquatic Fungi

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
The Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment (www.slu.se/aquatic-sciences) is working with applied environmental science, with a national responsibility for assessing the condition of Swedish surface waters with respect to water chemistry, pollution and aquatic biota. The department has some 140 employees. The research focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, as well as on aquatic ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry. The department is part of a Soil-Water-Environment cluster, a recently established competence centre for landscape-level processes that also includes the Departments of ‘Soil and Environment’ and ‘Energy and Technology’. The breadth of expertise among the 300 members in combination with a well-equipped infrastructure creates a unique platform for high quality research as well as environmental monitoring and assessment. 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 will be embedded in the Division of Microbial Ecology. We study microorganisms, their processes, and evolution in aquatic ecosystems. Tools such as large-scale sequencing, single cell analyses and chemical analyses are frequently used and the research include both field work and controlled laboratory experiments. For more information see: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/aquatic-sciences-assessment/research/forskningsomraden/Functional-microbial-ecology/

You will have a central role in the FUNACTION project (www.funaction.eu, www.biodiversa.eu/2023/04/19/funaction/) coordinated by Jennifer Anderson at SLU with partners in seven countries. FUNACTION aims to produce a pan-European view of the distributions of aquatic fungi, identify the drivers of those distributions, and evaluate the efficacy of existing protected areas for protecting aquatic fungal biodiversity and functions.

Duties:
As a postdoc you will engage in independent research, but do so as part of a local and internationally distributed team of expert scientists. A key approach in FUNACTION is the study of biodiversity and functional diversity through metabarcoding and metagenomics sequencing from environmental samples. As such, you will be expected to plan and perform sampling as well as associated field, lab, and analysis activities. You will be available for sampling during the periods required for the successful completion of the project. You will produce, analyze and integrate environmental, functional, and biodiversity data to answer outstanding questions about aquatic fungi in the conservation context and engage with stakeholders to support efforts towards inclusion of aquatic fungi in conservation. You are expected to report the work in scientific publications, targeted outreach communications, and guidance documents. You will gain experience in project management through participation on committees within FUNACTION and benefit from the diverse expertise represented both at SLU and with the rest of the project consortium. There will also be opportunities to train and learn new techniques and topics and to supervise student projects.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a PhD or equivalent degree in biology, conservation biology, ecology, mycology, bioinformatics or a related subject. The candidate must also have documented experience and knowledge sufficient for using DNA-based methods (such as qPCR) and functional assays to understand complex fungal communities and functions using diversity and environmental data and perform associated field and lab work. Advanced experience or training in mycology (especially aquatic fungi) and experience with evaluating how environmental factors impact fungal biodiversity are merits. Experience performing conservation relevant modeling or statistics (e.g. species distribution modeling, identification of priority areas) is also desireable and may strengthen your application. Good command of the English language is a requirement, as is demonstrated ability to effectively and clearly communicate research results in scientific publications. It is also beneficial, but not required, to speak Swedish. The position is intended for a junior researcher and we are primarily looking for people who have completed their PhD no more than three years ago.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment 24 months, with possibility of extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
15 January 2024 or according to agreement

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 5 December 2023, use the button below.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



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.