Postdoctoral position in coordinating biology and ecosystem ocean observations

Postdoctoral position in integrating biology and ecosystem ocean observations

Are you interested in working with ocean observations, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a Postdoctoral position in integrating biology and ecosystem ocean observations at Uppsala University. 

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: in Uppsala and in Visby. The postdoctoral position is at Campus Gotland in Visby within the research program Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRHU). For more information: NRHU. 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.

The postdoc position is part of the new Horizon Europe project, "BioEcoOcean - Co-Creating Transformative Pathways to Biological and Ecosystem Ocean Observations (Grant agreement 101136748). Dr. Nordlund coordinates this four-year project, which aims to improve coordination and collaboration in ocean observations, with a special emphasis on biology and ecosystems. The project engages stakeholders from across Europe and globally to create a Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science, designed to promote workflows that align with FAIR Data Principles, ensuring more effective and consistent biology and ecosystem ocean observation.

BioEcoOcean advocates a transformative approach to biology and ecosystem ocean observation to deepen our scientific understanding, improve management practices, and promote the sustainable use and development of the ocean. It utilises "living labs," collaborative workspaces dedicated to co-creation and innovation. Each lab has a different focus area, and the research is expected to integrate existing resources, observations, and models while creating new pathways to achieve project goals. Collaboration is a core element, with a diverse range of partners including researchers, civil society, administrators, industry, other EU projects, the Global Ocean Observation System IOC-UNESCO, among others.

Duties
On Gotland, there will be two co-creation living labs. The living lab most relevant for this position is the Blueprint living lab. The research will be particularly solutions oriented, identifying pathways for more interoperable and collaborative approaches in biology and ecosystem ocean observations. The Blueprint living lab is leading the work on creating the Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science that aims to connect all components of the ocean observing value chain, from planning to policy and beyond. The research will require engaging stakeholders globally.

Collaboration within the BioEcoOcean consortium will be of utmost importance, and especially collaboration on the iterative process on developing the Blueprint. Several workshops, webinars, surveys will be conducted during the project. On Gotland, also as part of the BioEcoOcean project there will be a Baltic Sea living lab, where another postdoc will be hired. Close collaboration between the postdocs is expected. 

The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in designing, planning and executing workshops, surveys, data collection as well as data analyses. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to produce high-quality scientific articles suitable for scientific publication in high-profile journals and for presentation at national and international conferences. The research results are also expected to contribute to the BioEcoOcean project"s broader goals and deliverables. Teaching may also be included in up to 20% of the duties in employment as a postdoctoral fellow.

Requirements
PhD degree in degree in environmental science (both social and natural science-oriented), ecology, natural resource management, social-ecological systems, or marine biology,or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree described above. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc. Very good communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are a requirement.

Additional qualifications
Knowledge and/or experience of working with ocean observing of coastal marine life, environmental monitoring and stakeholders involved in ocean observing is particularly meritorious. Practical experience in running workshops, questionnaire surveys and/or interview methodology, and transdisciplinary collaboration is advantageous. Experience in working with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in research, literature reviews and the use of conceptual and analytical frameworks is advantageous. Proven creativity and ability to collaborate within and outside academia is meritorious.

Application procedure
The application should contain a letter in which the applicant briefly describes themself and how the applicant’s knowledge and research interest can contribute to this project (maximum 2 pages). The application should also contain a curriculum vitae (CV), copies of relevant grade documents, and other relevant documents (e.g. letters of recommendation). Three reference persons should be stated with contact information.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 September 2024, or as agreed. Placement: Visby.

For further information about the position, please contact: Dr. Lina Mtwana Nordlund, Lina.Mtwana.Nordlund@geo.uu.se, Nina Lepola, Assistant project coordinator, Nina.Lepola@geo.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 19 July 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2195.

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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.