Professor in Landscape Biogeoscience

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Subject area
Landscape Biogeosciences (Landskap Biogeovetenskap)

Subject area description
Ecological, biogeochemical, and environmental research have traditionally focused on specific ecosystems with strict ecosystem boundaries. Yet system interactions, feedbacks and large-scale consequences calls for approaches that integrate across ecosystems to consider whole catchments, landscapes and regions. Landscape biogeosciences deals with the spatial variation (landscape heterogeneity) in biogeochemical fluxes and processes. The subject deals with the exchange of elements and energy between biosphere, pedosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere, leading to an integrated understanding of the biogeochemical cycles on the landscape scale.

Job assignments
The main job assignments are research within the subject areas, as well as being manager of the GU infrastructure ‘Field stations for Earth System Science’, which is part of the SITES and ICOS networks. Teaching duties (20 %) cover Bachelor and Master courses in Earth Sciences, Geography and Environmental Sciences. Time for competence development will be granted (at least 10%). Other assignments (committee work, administration) may be a part of the position.

The research focus of the successful candidate should focus on how water and nutrient cycles are linked across landscapes, integrating different ecosystems (e.g. forests, wetlands, lakes) within a land-unit. Your research is expected to complement and strengthen the existing research areas biogeochemistry, hydrogeology/hydrogeochemistry and regional climate at the department and to bridge to research at neighbouring departments, as well as other Universities.

As station manager for the GU infrastructure ‘Field stations for Earth System Science’, the successful candidate will be responsible for the facilities, its personnel (currently 5 field and lab technicians) and the quality of data produced at the infrastructure. The main activities within the infrastructure are taking place at the Skogaryd Research Catchment. The aims for the infrastructure are to promote and develop quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) balances at the landscape scale including land-atmosphere, land-water, and water-atmosphere exchange, as well as to promote investigations of the underlying biogeochemical processes, eco-physiological studies and within-canopy atmospheric chemistry. This infrastructure has several micrometeorological towers for GHG flux measurements, including a roving Eddy covariance system (3D-SkyGas), and a large number of water-flow stations and lake stations, where matter-flow is measured.

The successful candidate is expected to collaborate with the surrounding society and specific stakeholder by connecting the research to societal demands and practical applications. Outreach activities and communication are important job assignments.

 Eligibility
Eligibility rules for employment in a teaching position (“lärare”) are stated in chapter 4, §3-4 of the Higher Education Ordinance (“högskoleförordning”, in Swedish only) and in University of Gothenburg’s regulations for employment (anställningsordning, in Swedish only).

The candidate who is offered the position should have a PhD degree or a comparable foreign degree in a subject area relevant for the position, should be scientifically skilled within the subject area, should have good teaching skills, and should have proven the ability to obtain external research funding.

Assessment
Assessment criteria for employment in a teaching position are stated in chapter 4, §3-4 of the Higher Education Ordinance (“högskoleförordning”, in Swedish only) and in University of Gothenburg’s regulations for employment (“anställningsordning”, in Swedish only).

The assessment of your application will be based primarily on your scientific merits and on your leadership experiences. For the latter, demonstration of the ability to manage and develop research infrastructures, as well as leading a group of technical staff is a very strong merit. Pedagogic experience and skills will will be assessed with the same care.

When assessing scientific proficiency, emphasis will be placed on competence in Landscape Biogeosciences. The successful candidate should have proven experiences in using and interpreting micrometeorological data in a biogeoscientific context, though scientific publication. It is beneficial to have hydrological experience, especially on matter-flow in a landscape perspective. Documented success in attracting external funding in competition is expected.

When assessing pedagogical proficiency, emphasis will be placed on the ability to successfully plan, perform and lead teaching as well as to develop courses. Documented ability to supervise students at different levels is meritorious.

To obtain this position, the successful candidate will be chosen after an overall assessment of their proficiency in the subject area and their capacity to manage and develop the GU infrastructure ‘Field stations for Earth System Science’, are judged to have the highest potential to perform the intended duties for the position, cooperate with others, and contribute to a positive development of the department.


In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.