Assistant Professor in Forest Genetics

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is offering an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) position in Forest Genetics. The department is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre, one of Europe’s strongest research centres in experimental plant biology.

Last day to apply: 6 November 2024

Subject area

The subject of the position is forest genetics with a focus on genetic biodiversity in relation to forestry.

Duties

The Assistant Professor is expected to develop their own research profile within the subject and will be given development opportunities to be able to qualify as docent and Senior Lecturer in the subject of the position.

The research will focus on gymnosperm phylogenomics and environmental adaptation in order to build and maintain the trees’ long-term resilience to climate and environmental changes and to understand effects on genetic diversity of forestry and breeding.

The research is expected to be conducted in collaboration with researchers within the department and SLU, as well as through national and international collaboration.

In addition, the holder of the position shall:

• act in accordance with the vision, goals and basic values of SLU,
• initiate the development of his/her own research group,
• plan, lead and implement research projects and apply for external research funding in competition,
• publish scientific articles,
• participate in postgraduate education as a co-supervisor,
• conduct research-based teaching at all levels of the educational cycle,
• collaborate with other researchers and the surrounding society,
• disseminate research findings, and
• receive pedagogical training, and are expected to fulfil the requirements for promotion to senior lecturer during the employment.

Non Swedish-speaking staff members are expected to, within four years of first being employed, have sufficient knowledge of Swedish/Scandinavian to understand information in Swedish. The department will support the holder to achieve this.

Qualifications

Eligible for employment as associate senior lecturer are candidates who hold a PhD or have equivalent academic qualifications. Priority will be given to candidates who have received a PhD or equivalent qualifications no longer than five years before the application deadline. Other candidates may also be considered if there are extraordinary grounds for doing so. Extraordinary grounds refer to illness, parental leave or similar circumstances.

For employment as associate senior lecturer, the candidate must be scientifically proficient in the subject area of the position.

Good ability to communicate in written and spoken English is required.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as an associate senior lecturer will primarily be based on the degree to which the applicant/candidate possesses the required qualifications specified for the position.

The assessment for appointment as an associate senior lecturer will primarily be based on qualitative indicators of the applicant’s scientific skill within the subject area of the position.

Furthermore, the assessment includes evaluating the applicant’s ability to develop an independent line of research within the subject area, and to qualify for promotion to senior lecturer during the employment period.

It is meritorious if the applicant has:

• a background in genetics and genome biology with experience in conifers.

The position will be offered to the candidate who, after a qualitative overall assessment, is assessed to have the best qualifications to carry out and develop current tasks and contribute to a positive development of the department and SLU.

Application

It is desirable that the application is written in English, because the applications will be evaluated by expert advisers both in Sweden and abroad.

“Appointment procedures for teachers at SLU” and “General assessment criteria for the appointment of teachers” can be found here.

Please apply via SLU’s e-recruitment system following this link: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=11125&rmlang=UK

You can submit your application by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

Reference number: SLU.ua.2024.2.5.1-2725

Application deadline: 2024-11-06

Contact

Further information can be obtained from:

Totte Niittylä
Head of department
+46 (0)90-786 83 55
totte.niittyla@slu.se

Ulrika Ganeteg
Research Officer
+46 (0)76-527 87 97
ulrika.ganeteg@slu.se 

About the Research Environment at UPSC

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at SLU is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC). UPSC is a centre of excellence for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology in Northern Sweden. Our mission is to perform excellent and innovative basic research and generate knowledge that benefits forestry, agriculture, environment and society. We work across a wide range of disciplines in plant science reaching from cell biology to ecophysiology and from basic research to industrial applications. Our common goal is to understand the plants’ ability to grow, adapt and acclimate to a changing world and how we can breed better plants.

UPSC belongs to two universities, SLU and Umeå University. About 200 people from more than 40 different nationalities work here. We host some 30 principal investigators, and our researchers have access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms, unique tree germplasm resources and plant growth facilities. We strive for a collaborative work environment and support our scientists throughout all career stages by providing professional training opportunities and individual career mentoring.

About SLU

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU

We are looking forward to receiving your application!