Researcher in Fish physiology

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals and populations to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics, and combinations of these fields in order to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at three different localities: in Gothenburg Botanical Garden, at Medicinareberget in Gothenburg and Kristineberg Marine Research Station. The current position is placed at Medicinareberget.

Project description
The applicant will mainly work in the project ARCTAQUA which is a collaboration between researchers from Norway, Sweden and Finland. The overall aim of ARCTAQUA is to promote the development of sustainable aquaculture in the Arctic region. The current position focuses on the development of sustainable feed and culture protocols for spotted wolffish, in collaboration with Nord University in Bodö. The spotted wolffish is a promising cold-water species for commercial fish farming and is currently farmed on a small scale with potential for expansion. The project aims to provide knowledge about the nutritional needs of the species for optimal growth, health and welfare. We investigate how different feeds affect the fish's physiology with a focus on nutrient absorption in the intestine, growth and appetite, as well as various indicators for welfare and health such as the intestinal barrier function, tooth formation and occurrence of kidney stones. Feed trials on other species may also be included. The work in the position in question is both practical and theoretical as it includes planning and execution of feed trials and subsequent analyzes and writing. The work also includes tasks that are part of the research group's daily activities such as animal husbandry.

Duties  
The employee will be responsible for the design and implementation of feed trials and feed formulation, data processing, statistical analyses, compilation and writing of scientific manuscripts and presentation of results in reports and at industry workshops. The work takes place in dialogue with others in the project group, but the applicant is expected to be independent and able to take his/her own initiative within the framework of the project.

The applicant is expected to present the results at seminars and project meetings, as well as communicate and collaborate with other members of ARCTAQUA, the research group and internationally. The applicant is also expected to be able to present the results in a popular scientific manner to industrial partners. Some practical supervision of doctoral students or master's students may be included. Shorter travel to another country (Norway) may be included.

Qualifications 
Eligible to be employed as a researcher is someone who has a doctorate in a relevant field (zoophysiology, with relevance to aquaculture) or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctorate in a relevant field.

Scientific ability will be given the greatest weight in the assessment of the applicant's merits. The assessment of the scientific skill is based on experience in the subject area and the tasks that are included with particular emphasis on fish biology competence with a specialization in physiology, as well as feed development for fish aquaculture. The scientific skill is primarily assessed based on the applicant's scientific publications, experience of postdoc or other research stays, conference participation, and the applicant's theoretical, experimental and analytical skills in the subject area. Experience in experimental design and feed trials, feed formulation for fish is a requirement, as is analysis work and interpretation of data such as hormone levels, Ussing data and health indicators on fish. Previous experience of working with wolffish and salmonids is advantageous.

Emphasis will also be placed on experience in project management and collaboration skills. Ability to communicate in speech and writing will be considered in the assessment. An excellent ability to communicate orally and in writing in English is a requirement as we work in an international environment. It is considered meritorious if the applicant has received external funds. Additional merit is experience in teaching and supervision.

To be eligible for employment as a researcher, the applicant must have a PhD exam in a relevant subject (fish physiology with focus on aquaculture nutrition) as outlined in the advertisement. The exam must be finished before closing date for this announcement.

For more information and how to apply 
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. 

Applications must be received by: November 7th, 2022


The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

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.