Assistant Professor in Limnology with specialization in Ecosystem modelling

Uppsala University’s tenure track system grants assistant professors the possibility to be assessed for promotion to the position as associate professor. The university provides support in various areas, such as scientific and educational development, leadership development as well as patent and innovation support.

The Department of Ecology and Genetics is a dynamic and highly international academic environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research interests are broad, ranging from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of entire ecosystems. For more detailed information on our research, please see www.ieg.uu.se.  The position will be affiliated with the Limnology program (https://www.uu.se/en/department/ecology-and-genetics/research/limnology), which, together with its field station at the lake Erken (https://www.uu.se/en/department/ecology-and-genetics/research/erken-laboratory), is an internationally renowned environment for research, education, and outreach on the ecology of inland waters.

This position is part of a national program for Environmental Research Leaders funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra), https://mistra.org.

The position also includes funding for one PhD student position.

Description of subject area of the employment:

Forecasting how ecosystems will continue to change as Earth progresses further into the Anthropocene is challenging but essential to our ability to mitigate detrimental effects on nature and humanity. Process-based models can simulate the future of inland water ecosystems and the services they provide but require further development to increase the reliability of forecasts. This position aims to strengthen the department's profile related to process-based modelling of inland water ecosystems. Since current models of inland water ecosystems, e.g., lakes, are highly simplified concerning biological and ecological aspects, research that improves the representation of biological and ecological processes is particularly relevant. Developing models that integrate interactions between ecological, physical and biogeochemical processes can enhance the reliability of forecasts of detrimental anthropogenic effects on inland water ecosystems, and their services. Reliable forecasts are essential to guide management and mitigation measures to safeguard inland water ecosystem services in the Anthropocene.

Duties:

• Research, teaching and administration. Teaching duties include course responsibility and course administration and supervision of second- and third-cycle students. Teaching duties include courses in limnology, ecosystem science and other related fields. The department strives to provide opportunities for continuous personal development in pedagogics and opportunities to teach and administrate courses at both the bachelor and master level. Development of and participation in PhD-level courses is also encouraged. If the successful candidate is initially not able to teach in Swedish, they will be expected to develop this capacity, and will be offered support for language acquisition.
  
  
• Follow developments within the subject area and the development of society in general that is important for the work at the university.
  
  
• The position may include duties related to leadership, administration, and outreach.
  
  
• The recruited Assistant Professor is expected to participate in a leadership programme designed and funded by Mistra, within a group of Environmental Research Leaders supported by Mistra at Swedish universities.

Appointment Period: The position can be held for a maximum of six years. An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Associate Professor. If the Assistant Professor is deemed suitable and fulfills the criteria for promotion established by the Faculty Board he/she shall be promoted to and employed as Associate Professor.

Qualifications Required:       

• PhD in ecosystem science or a related field. Applicants who have obtained a PhD degree or achieved the equivalent competence in seven years or less prior to the end of the application period will be given priority.
  
  
• Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise. It is necessary that the research expertise, pedagogical skills, and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment.
  
  
• Applicants should have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising five weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment.
  
  
• Documented ability to teach in English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail.
  
  
• Personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Assessment Criteria/Ranking of applicants that fulfil the above-mentioned qualifications required

The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, of which weight will be primarily given to research.

Research Expertise comprises research merits as well as the applicant´s potential to contribute to the future development of both research and teaching. In assessing research expertise research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily regarding depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits in process-based modelling of inland water ecosystems.  Research towards improved representation of biological and ecological processes, and their integration with physical and biogeochemical processes in inland water ecosystem models, as well as research towards improved forecasting of inland water ecosystems and ecosystem services is considered particularly relevant.

Teaching Expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration.

Administrative Expertise is important for the employment and will be given consideration. Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, through the capacity to plan, organise, and prioritise work in an efficient and task-related manner as well as through the ability to assign and observe time frames. Expertise includes overall operational planning and the capacity to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities as well as the ability to work in a structured manner based on an awareness of goals and quality.

Management Expertise is important and will be afforded consideration. Management expertise is demonstrated through the capacity to lead operations and personnel, make decisions, take responsibility, and motivate others, providing them with what is needed for the efficient achievement of common goals. The abilities to coordinate the group and help create a sense of involvement, participation, and enjoyment in work and to deal with conflicts constitute further examples of demonstrated expertise.

Outreach Expertise is important and will be afforded consideration. Outreach expertise is demonstrated by the ability and skill of planning, organizing and implementing interaction with the surrounding community. Popular science publications, public debate and lectures are examples of forms of interaction with the surrounding community, as well as collaboration with non-academic partners.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position, the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.

In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

Further information

University appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations

Instructions for application

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Silke Langenheder, silke.langenheder@ebc.uu.se 

Type of position: Temporary full-time position six years.

Salary: Individually negotiated salary.

Working hours: 100%

Starting date: July 1 2026 at latest

Please submit your application by November 24 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2987.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.