Senior University Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

At the Department of Biology, we perform fundamental research in a number of different areas, ranging from processes at the molecular level to interactions in ecosystems, and from the genetic code to behaviour. We also perform research on a number of applied topics, such as conservation biology, pest control and climate change effects. The Biological Museum holds a large and unique collection from which specimens are lent across the world. The department has excellent facilities with almost everything a biologist can wish for, from molecular labs, electron- and confocal microscopes to climate rooms, wind tunnels and a field station. A total of about 300 people, of which about 80 are PhD students, work at the department.

The Aquatic Ecology unit at the Department of Biology constitutes a strong, dynamic and broad research environment. At the unit, we work with research and education focused on mechanisms and processes that structure the aquatic environments. Our research strategy aims at having a wide and diverse research portfolio with fundamental research on e.g. speciation processes, predator-prey interactions, and biogeochemical processes in aquatic environments. In addition, we perform research on topics with high environmental and societal value, including emerging pollutants, climate change effects, algal blooms, and invasive species. We also have a pronounced strategy to integrate research in freshwater and marine environments. The common denominator of the research at the unit is thus the aquatic environment, whereas the specific research orientations cover a wide spectrum of topics and organism groups.

We attract substantial funding from external sources, such as research councils and agencies in Sweden and internationally, which is mirrored in extensive national and international networks. We also interact with national and regional authorities, stakeholders, as well as with the society at large.

Job description
The principal duties of the position consist mainly of research and education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Education is expected to amount to up to about 30% of full-time work at the senior lecturer level and to about 20% for candidates that have reached full professor’s level. In addition, the successful candidate is expected to supervise master’s and PhD students, to actively engage in departmental duties, and to interact with authorities and society at large. The exact contents of the position, as well as the proportion between research and teaching, may change over time.

The successful candidate is expected to develop an active research programme in areas related to the research that is presently performed at the Aquatic Ecology unit and thereby to strengthen present research, by broadening or deepening. It is an advantage if the connection to present research can be combined with the development of new research directions. The successful candidate is expected to work actively with attracting external research funding.

A PhD student and a starting grant will be connected to the position.

Eligibility
Qualifications for appointment as a Senior University Lecturer includes demonstrated teaching expertise, a completed PhD or the corresponding research competence or some other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the position and the duties that it will involve (according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 4, section 4).

For this position, the qualified applicant must have a PhD from the field of aquatic ecology or from a related field that is deemed relevant for the position.

It is a requirement to have completed at least five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means. In certain cases, exceptions can be made from this requirement.

A general qualification requirement for academic staff at Lund University is to be suited for and to have the general ability required to fulfil the duties of the position.

Basis of assessment

• The applicant should have a PhD degree as stated above, and documented scientific excellence in aquatic ecology, i.e. limnology and/or marine ecology.
• The research profile of the applicant should relate to and complement present research at the Aquatic Ecology unit.
• The applicant should have a good capacity and documented record of attracting external national and/or international funding for research.
• The applicant should have a varied experience and documented skills of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• The applicant should have good communication skills and be in very good command of the English language.
• Documented experience of supervision of PhD students is a merit.
• Documented experience of interaction with authorities and the society at large is a merit.
• Leadership and administrative skills are meritorious.
• Personal qualities of merit are creativity, strong motivation, proficiency in working in teams, openness, endurance, interest and talent for teaching, interest in sharing knowledge and collaborating within and outside academia, a respectful attitude towards colleagues, and the ability to give constructive feed-back.

The evaluation of the applicants will be based both on teaching and research expertise. The assessment will also rely on how the applicant, through documented skills and experience, can strengthen and supplement the department’s research and teaching and how the applicant will benefit from existing infrastructure.

The applicants should present their past and present research and a research plan for the coming years where it is clarified how they will add to, strengthen and renew present research at the unit. Assessment of scientific excellence will be based on the quality and quantity of peer reviewed scientific publications.

The assessment of pedagogic merits should be given as much consideration as the scientific merits. The applicants should present a pedagogic portfolio where they describe their basic view of pedagogics, their teaching strategies, and how they can contribute to undergraduate and graduate education at the unit and the department.

Strong emphasis will also be placed on the applicant´s ability to interact with researchers and administrative staff within and outside the Aquatic Ecology unit.

It is expected that a non-Swedish speaking appointee within a three-year period will master the Swedish language well enough to be able to teach and to communicate with the university administration in Swedish.

When making the appointment, consideration will be given to the Lund University Appointment Rules.

Promotion
A highly merited senior lecturer may after the start of the position apply to be promoted to professor.

Design and content of the application
We would recommend you to write your application in English, since it will be assessed by international experts. The application should be formulated according to the Faculty of Science’s Instructions for applications for an academic position. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system.