Research assistant - molecular microbial ecology

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 130 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 www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Duties:
We are looking for a research assistant to be placed at the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, SLU. The candidate will incorporate to a recently established research group (Functional ecology of freshwaters) and assist with establishing a new research line. The project aims to use microbial ecology techniques to monitor the status of aquaculture operations. For this, we will characterize the gut microbial communities of fish fed with different feed compositions using an Oxford Nanopore MinION portable sequencer. The candidate will be responsible for sampling, DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing. The candidate is also expected to contribute to documentation and analysis of the lab work. The department research laboratories is a dynamic and stimulating workplace with potential for future career development and opportunities to work with other biological methods such as flow cytometry, microscopy, microbial cultivation and experiments.

Qualifications:
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Resources Management or related subject. Candidates are required to demonstrate good knowledge and previous experience of aquatic microbiology and molecular microbial ecology techniques. Knowledge and practical experience of aquaculture, DNA extraction, PCR techniques, and experience using the Oxford Nanopore MinION portable sequencer is required. Knowledge of environmental impact assessment and bioinformatics (sequence annotation and analysis) is desirable and will be considered merits. We are looking for a candidate who can work independently and in a structured manner, with attention to detail and proper documentation of the work performed. Personal qualities such as responsibility, independent problem-solving and interpersonal skills and will be considered as further merits. The ability to communicate well in English is a requirement.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment of 3 months.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-11-30, 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) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se