Assistant Project Coordinator, ocean-related projects - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University is Sweden´s largest and most versatile department of its kind with approximately 280 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural science and technology with social science. We have research programs in air, water and landscape science; geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; petrology, mineralogy and tectonics; paleobiology, and wind energy. By investigating the history of Earth, we understand how our planet has developed over time and how sustainable development benefits from this knowledge. For more information: The Department of Earth Sciences.      

The Department of Earth Sciences operates in two locations, Uppsala and Visby. The research program Natural Resources and Sustainable Development NRHU at the Department of Earth Sciences is a focus area for research, education, and collaboration. The position of the Assistant Project Coordinator is located at Campus Gotland in Visby within the NRHU research program.

Campus Gotland is an international campus in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Visby on the island of Gotland in the middle of the Baltic Sea. It is also home to the Blue Center Gotland, a collaboration between Uppsala University, the Gotland Region, and the County Administrative Board of Gotland Blue Centre Gotland. Uppsala University also has a field station on Gotland, the Research Station Ar which is equipped for laboratory experiments, including those involving fish.

The position is within an interdisciplinary research group led by Lina Mtwana Nordlund. The group works transdisciplinary with a focus on strong sustainable development of the coastal zones, particularly the connections between coastal habitats and humans. Ongoing projects address issues related to the Baltic Sea, the Indo-Pacific Ocean, marine monitoring, social-ecological systems, marine protected areas, seagrass, Blue Food, and policy. In early 2024, a four-year Horizon Europe project called BioEcoOcean - Co-Creating Transformative Pathways to Biological and Ecosystem Ocean Observations will commence. Nordlund is the project coordinator and scientific leader for the project.

The overarching goal of BioEcoOcean is to facilitate coordination and collaboration for improved ocean observations, with a particular focus on biology and ecosystems, for all relevant stakeholders in Europe and globally. The work will take place in living labs (platforms) for co-creation, where each lab has different focus areas. The research will build on existing resources, observations, and models and create new pathways where needed. There will be close collaboration with researchers, civil society, administrators, industry, other EU projects, the Global Ocean Observation System, IOC, UNESCO among others. On Gotland, there will be two co-creation living labs, one focusing on the overall goal within BioEcoOcean and one lab focusing on the essential ocean variables: seagrass, fish, and invertebrates in all parts of the value chain from planning to policy.

Duties
The Assistant Project Coordinator plays a key role in the four-year Horizon Europe project, BioEcoOcean - Co-Creating Transformative Pathways to Biological and Ecosystem Ocean Observations. In the role of this position, a crucial task is to collaborate with and support the Project Coordinator in administration, planning and development, monitoring, report writing, meeting planning, and budget work primarily within the EU project but also in other related projects. The work often involves independently driving and completing tasks within given timeframes, even during temporary work peaks.

Typical responsibilities include: Support for various parts of the operation, including some support for BioEcoOcean partners, planning and coordinating meetings (both for smaller groups and larger scientific symposiums), taking meeting notes, making travel arrangements, preparing and reporting project and group budgets with the support of the institution's and university's economists, and assisting with financial and scientific reporting. Scheduling and room bookings are also part of the role. Furthermore, a crucial aspect is collaborating with the communicator employed by our Polish consortium partner to ensure that websites and social media are updated with the latest research results and scientific events, etcetera. The work will involve some travels within Europe.

The purpose of this position is primarily to be an administrative support function, when possible also to assist with research-related tasks. These tasks may involve, together with researchers, collecting data through quantitative and qualitative methods, compiling data, and contributing to the analysis of this data. Depending on how the projects develop, the tasks may change over time.

Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in a field relevant to the position, such as environmental science, sustainable development, and/or a focus on ocean and environmental monitoring. Documented experience in project coordination and administration, work in a research environment, or equivalent, as well as experience in report writing. Ability to take initiative, work result-oriented, constructively solve problems, and possess good teamwork and organizational skills. Strong computer skills are a requirement. High communicative competence and excellent language skills in spoken and written English are necessary.

Additional qualifications
Experience in working on EU projects is particularly meritorious. A Ph.D. in environmental science, sustainable development, and/or with a focus on ocean and environmental monitoring, or an equivalent degree in a similar field, is particularly meritorious.

Other desirable or meritorious qualifications include experience with transdisciplinary approaches. Knowledge or experience in issues related to aquatic environments, ocean observations, environmental monitoring, and marine management. Experience in fieldwork in coastal zones, conducting surveys, and/or interview methodologies. Experience in working with interdisciplinary approaches and using conceptual and analytical frameworks. Experience in data processing and knowledge of statistics, modeling, and analytical ability, as well as demonstrated creativity and the ability to collaborate both within and outside academia. Proficient language skills in spoken and written Swedish. Driver's license for a car. Experience with administrative systems at universities. Experience in organizing and planning meetings and conferences.  

The application
Your application should include a letter of motivation of no more than 700 words, succinctly describing your reasons for applying for the position and how you envision that your skills and experiences can contribute to strengthening the research group and consortium. The application should also demonstrate that the qualification requirements are met, along with detailing other desirable and relevant knowledge, skills, and interests. Additionally, your application should include a Curriculum Vitae (CV), copies of relevant degrees, certificates and documents,  and contact information for two reference persons who can provide information about your qualifications and suitability for the position.

About the employment
The employment is a permanent position, probationary period may be applied. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date 1 February 2024, or as agreed. Placement: Visby.

For further information about the position, please contact: Dr. Lina Mtwana Nordlund, lina.mtwana.nordlund@geo.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 20 November 2023, UFV-PA 2023/3874.

About Campus Gotland: Uppsala University Campus Gotland offers the best of two worlds: the full-scale university’s broad offering and weight and a unique, small-scale campus in an interdisciplinary research environment. Campus Gotland is a hub for the University’s research and education in sustainability. Find out what it’s like to live on Gotland.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.